Internet Troubleshooting.

[arus2001]

Lately I've been having issues where it seems like every minute or so my internet decides it either doesn't want to work or works terribly. In more extreme cases, my connection dies totally for anywhere from 10 minutes to a few hours. I'm on Comcast (no high speed alternatives, sadly) and I've been through their CS loop multiple times, have had guys come here and look at our shit, and basically the problems never choose to replicate in their presence or get detected on their end.

I have a wireless router, but all PCs in the house are wired in (PS3/Wii gets the wireless, mainly). Security is set up to block leeching and I haven't seen any unknown devices show up when I do check the router status during issues. Beyond that, I haven't done anything fancy with it like setting up home networks or linked printers. I've tried just having my PC connected directly, but problems persist. Other computers also show signs of lag or lack of connectivity if I try running through the house when it's happening.

Physically, I've gone through the house tracking all the wires and cables just to make sure there weren't any bad kinks or damage. Like I said, I've also tried direct connections to the modem. I've also tried web-based stuff like pings to google or speedtests, but oddly those can sometimes come out claiming everything's okay while I'm still having issues accessing other stuff. Part of me suspects it's our modem, but Comcast has refused to replace it every time I've called in about it. So this leaves me stumped.

Is there anything I can do to more thoroughly track the flow of data and possibly diagnose any triggers? I guess there's the possibility of primetime bottlenecking, but I just find it hard to believe there are enough people in this area who have highspeed. Nevermind the fact this stuff happens at all hours of the day. Far as I can tell, I'm clean of viruses and such, but I suppose that's never a guarantee.

In case it'll help, I'll include a Hijackthis log file.

Spoiler: show

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 6:32:23 PM, on 9/3/2009
Platform: Windows Vista SP1 (WinNT 6.00.1905)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18813)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\MUSHclient\MUSHclient.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\AOL\1248063222\ee\aolsoftware.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\AIM6\aim6.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\AIM6\aolsoftware.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\PlayOnlineViewer\pol.e xe
C:\Program Files (x86)\uTorrent\uTorrent.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = Bing
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = MSN.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = MSN.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = Bing
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = Bing
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = MSN.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~2\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NCsoft Launcher] C:\Program Files (x86)\NCSoft\Launcher\NCLauncher.exe /Minimized
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre1.5.0_03\bin\npjpi150_03.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre1.5.0_03\bin\npjpi150_03.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~2\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~2\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O16 - DPF: {8AD9C840-044E-11D1-B3E9-00805F499D93} (Java Runtime Environment 1.5.0) - http://javadl-esd.sun.com/update/1.5...ndows-i586.cab
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: AOL Connectivity Service (AOL ACS) - AOL LLC - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\AOL\ACS\AOLAcsd.exe
O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
O23 - Service: @dfsrres.dll,-101 (DFSR) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\DFSR.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Acresso Software Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service 64 - Acresso Software Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService64.exe
O23 - Service: Remote Connections Service (FlexService) - BitMicro Software Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\RapidBIT\cisvc.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: lxcy_device - - C:\Windows\system32\lxcycoms.exe
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Nero BackItUp Scheduler 4.0 - Nero AG - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Nero\Nero BackItUp 4\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: nProtect GameGuard Service (npggsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\GameMon.des.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Cyberlink RichVideo Service(CRVS) (RichVideo) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\CyberLink\Shared files\RichVideo.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: SBSD Security Center Service (SBSDWSCService) - Safer Networking Ltd. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDWinSec.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\SLsvc.exe,-101 (slsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\SLsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Viewpoint Manager Service - Viewpoint Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 7207 bytes

[Cephius]

What kind of wireless router are you using?

[arus2001]

Netgear WGT624v3, I think.

[Cephius]

I've had terrible experiences with Netgear routers. I hate to tell you, but its highly likely that the cause of your problems is the router and ISP, or a combination of both.

If you have another router available, I'd try using that. Or hooking directly into the modem and see if you still have connection drops.

[arus2001]

I have a Linksys I used before we got the PS3/Wii, but it doesn't have wireless. Problem is, though, I have tried directly connecting and it still happens, hence my earlier suspicions on the modem possibly being fruity. And while intermittent beforehand, I think it happened with the other router, too.

But now that I think about it, when we had Comcast phone alone with it, that'd also get cut off when the net stopped, so I wanna say it's likely their end. Still frustrating, though. Would probably go with another service if we could get something that wasn't dial-up, DSL, or crappy satellite.

[Cephius]

Have you tried resetting the router to factory defaults and seeing if it persists? Or what about asking Comcast for a new modem?

[arus2001]

Yeah, and no change on the first. Again yes on the second, but they refuse to swap because they can't find anything wrong on their end and claim a shortage of modems to begin with.

I guess part of me just wants to get some kind of technical documentation I could throw at 'em saying stuff like, "At x time connection dropped to 0.03 mbps and persisted for y time..." and go to their physical location here so I could basically be a pain in the ass about getting a fix. The closest thing I probably ever got to an honest comment about the issue was when one of the techs was here a few months back and said he's heard of others having similar issues across the state, but he didn't know what was causing it.

Guess as far as they're concerned, I have no evidence there's a problem.