[Hurricane766]

OK here the description:
I have internet access for 3-5 minutes, then no internet access (no email, no web). But the cable modem looks fine - in fact the transmit and recieve LEDs are flashing???

I recently reformatted, reinstalled everything, updated firewall ect.
Scanned with Norton 2005, but found nothing. I did a diagnostic on the 3COM NIC and it passed the test...

Here's the kicker, I had Norton running, then when I got this problem Norton started to deactivate itself - saying I had to reactivate - so I did - and then the same thing happened???

I will try to use Spybot and Ad-Aware when I'm home later today...

Anyone have any suggestions?

[office politics]

to rule out a virus infection, you can run a free full online virus scan at housecall.trendmicro.com

[Hurricane766]

Thanks, I'll try it if my internet connection will work for more than 5 minutes.

I'm starting to feel like I might have to reformat again >

[office politics]

have you tried turning everything off, then back on. prolly a good thing to do before a reformat

[Hurricane766]

Ya I've rebooted a bunch and slept on it and it still does the same thing. I'm hoping that I can find some Trojan or something, at least then I would have an answer as to what's doing this.

...Formating will be a last resort of course.

[office politics]

well it wouldnt make sense that the trojan would disconnect you from the net. It would defeat the purpose.

when your connection drops, click start | run, type in cmd, press enter, type in ipconfig /all, press enter. This will show you information about your connection status.

[Hurricane766]

Ok, that will be good to know. Thanks.

Is it possible for a hacker to block me from accessing the internet while still accessing my computer?

[Capricorn]

You shut off the cable modem as well, right? That sometimes helps. (Sometimes hurts, too.)

[Hurricane766]

Thanks for all your help... problem is solved.

I ran Spybot and Adaware, it didn't look like they removed anything really nasty though.
I installed ZoneAlarm and all of a sudden it all works?! I 'm happy but don't really understand - with Norton Firewall on there it didn't work at all? Ah, well at least it works.

Thanks

[DJ-CHRIS]

Glad to hear your problem is solved

Some firewalls maybee incompatable with your router. Personally, i cannot run zonealarm on my network because I have the exact same problems as you.