Windows 7 Networking

[sammorris]

Has anyone got internet access in Win7 to work properly? It's getting really tiresome using a PC where i constantly have to change LAN port and switch between dynamic and fixed IP addresses to stop windows cutting my internet access. I'm pretty convinced its Windows as it occurs with various modems and ethernet cables and windows is convinced I have internet access whenever I don't. DNS often goes down for no reason, and sometimes all connectivity is dropped. Another common issue is bandwidth being capped to 1KB/s download (almost exactly) - which of course drops games and IM clients. The other issue is around 30% connection success rate which happens sometimes. Overall, Windows 7 is a complete chore for internet access. If anyone knows how to emulate being connected to the internet as simply LAN traffic I'd love to hear it.

[Barry]

My connection on my 3 PC's (wired) and laptop (wireless) were up and running fine from first windows (RTM) boot

[kingpotnoodle]

Has anyone got internet access in Win7 to work properly? It's getting really tiresome using a PC where i constantly have to change LAN port and switch between dynamic and fixed IP addresses to stop windows cutting my internet access. I'm pretty convinced its Windows as it occurs with various modems and ethernet cables and windows is convinced I have internet access whenever I don't. DNS often goes down for no reason, and sometimes all connectivity is dropped. Another common issue is bandwidth being capped to 1KB/s download (almost exactly) - which of course drops games and IM clients. The other issue is around 30% connection success rate which happens sometimes. Overall, Windows 7 is a complete chore for internet access. If anyone knows how to emulate being connected to the internet as simply LAN traffic I'd love to hear it.

So far all of the 4 machines on which I have tried various version of 7 have had no problems with wired or wireless devices... (across Marvell, Realtek, Atheros and Intel chippery).

What hardware are you using, and ahave you tried updating the drivers?

[Splash]

What router are you using? Who's your ISP? Is it possible to setup a dual boot with another OS (or try a linux livecd) to confirm that this only happens in Win7?

[Singh400]

Sounds like something unique to your setup is causing the problems. List all your hardware, might give us an idea where the problem could be.

[Terbinator]

My computer has connected fine with every iteration ive used of 7 and too the extent ive not even bothered to installe the drivers (bad boy i know ) But maybe some more information would help...

The only thing that i feel is remotely wierd with my connection si that the little animation in the bottom usually says its disconnected when i boot up although it corrects itself within about 20 seconds.

[sammorris]

been meaning to update my specs profile.
PC is:
3.4Ghz Q9550 E0
X48-DS4 with stock pair of Realtek network adapters
2x2GB Corsair PC8500
37GB Raptor for OS, 750GB Samsung F1 for data
Windows 7 RC1 (7100) 64-bit
Don't suppose the rest is relevant but:
2x HD4870X2 QCF-X
Zalman ZM850-HP
Coolermaster HAF932

Modems are Linksys AM200 (current) or ADSL2MUE (replaced due to random DNS drops and bandwidth caps)
ISP is UKOnline ADSL1 at 6Mbps (45dB attenuation)

[kalniel]

Sounds like the modem is on the way out to me - I had the same thing happen under XP.

[sammorris]

Then why doesn't it seem to affect my XP PC?
odd thing is windows says there's an updated driver for my LAN adapter every week it seems. I've just installed the latest one and will see what happens from here.

[Funkstar]

odd thing is windows says there's an updated driver for my LAN adapter every week it seems. I've just installed the latest one and will see what happens from here.

Realtek integrated NIC right?

Don't install the windows update driver. ever.

It completely hosed my network access the one time I let WU on vista install a new driver. I either install the driver from the CD I got with the motherboard or from the manufacturers site. That is it.

A new driver might eek out a little more performance, or fix a couple of minor bugs, but in reality NICs have been around long enough, are simple enough and generic enough to not really need a driver update. The only time I would is if I was actually having problems. Or if it was an Intel NIC with a management app along with the drivers (Intel NICs are the best you can get).

[sammorris]

Interesting, it was the windows update Sound driver that permanently ruined my sound drivers for win7, perhaps it was an earlier update to the network drivers that did the same. So far I haven't had as many browsing issues with this driver as the last, but only time will tell on that I suppose.

[Phage]

Realtek integrated NIC right?

Don't install the windows update driver. ever.

+1 Funkstar. I'd also add the same advice for the Realtek onboard sound. I've had exactly the same issues.

[MoonPig]

This computer (7127) works fine with the internet and network
Media Center (7100) works fine with the internet and network
Laptop (7100) works fine with the internet and network - wirelessly
Mates Build (7127) works fine with the internet and network
Parents Build (XP SP2) works fine with the internet and network

My computer is set to share all the files on it's second hard-drive (Media stuff) and every computer can stream it without a single issue.

The only time i had a slight issue with Win7 and the internet was with pre-7100. Got it sorted in the end though.

The LANs are: P5Q-E, P5K Premium, MSI AM2 SLi (not sure about that one). They all work fine, just plug in the ethernet and it find the network in seconds.

[pipTheGeek]

+1 Funkstar. I'd also add the same advice for the Realtek onboard sound. I've had exactly the same issues.

Hmmmm... You could have warned me 10 minutes ago!

I just installed win 7 on my laptop and let windows update do its worst...

If you don't hear from me anymore its 'cause I'm still trying to fix my laptop.

[Funkstar]

Hmmmm... You could have warned me 10 minutes ago!

but I posted 3 days ago.

[nightkhaos]

I personally have had no trouble with the Windows Update and Realtek devices... maybe I've just been lucky or something.