Hello people,

I have a network-related problem that has started to give me nightmares, and I think it might be because of faulty hardware.
The problem is this: After a while when I turn on my PC, the network stops working. It’s as if someone cuts the line. The time before it stops varies, but generally it’s somewhere between 15-20 min.
All network functions (such as TCP/IP-usage and file- and printer sharing) abruptly comes to a stop, and then the small “error-icon” for network malfunctions pops up. Renewal of IP doesn’t work; only a reboot (sometimes) help. The problem started after about one year of use – up to then, the computer ran as a Swiss clock.
I don’t think it’s not the connection that causes the problem, as there’s another computer connected to the same router and it’s never had any problems at all.

I have now exhausted nearly all solutions I can think of, which is the reason for this post. If anyone can think of something I’ve missed (which wouldn’t surprise me at all – I’m not very good with computers, I’m afraid), I’d be really, really grateful!

The PC in question is a 3-year old Shuttle (small, hot and noisy), with an Athlon XP cpu, 1 GB RAM, running Windows XP Pro. Here are some of the things I’ve tried over the past year, none of which have made any improvements on the situation:

• Changed cables
• Changed modem
• Complete Windows re-installs (lots)
• Changed ISP
• Changed network card (originally used built-in, now testing with PCI card but still getting the same result)
• Changed fan (some guys at the ISP support thought it might be the system overheating, but a brand new fan that seems to cool everything a lot better doesn’t make any difference).
• Installed new drivers for everything I can think of
• Installed all Win updates

What I haven’t done yet is tried to update the BIOS, mostly because I don’t have a clue to do it and some people have warned me that I might ruin the entire machine. And that would just cap it all, so I haven’t tried that just yet. But if it would be a wise thing to do, I’ll give it a go.

As said, if anyone can think of anything that might be the cause, please tell – any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Cheers / Erik