Hi there everyone! This is my first post here so sorry if I don't list all of the things straight away that are needed. However just ask for any information (tell me how to find that information) and I'll post it straight up.

So my problem. Right well. My computer seems completely unable to Upload anything. It started a couple of weeks back. I noticed my internet had become really quite slow. If I click a link it just seems to hang... And really seems to have about the same speed as the dial up I used to have.

Well I didn't think much of it. I thought maybe the internet was just playing up. And then I tried to do a speed check on speedcheck.net and pcpitstop.. Both of them get to about 4MB/sec download.. But the upload doesn't start.. And then comes back with the error "upload failed, unable to read upload file". Sure enough I cannot upload anything any more be it pictures on Facebook or files on Megaupload. It has just stopped.

I have tried a few solutions. I turned all the firewalls and antispyware off. There was no active protection. That didn't work. I then hear a DNS flush might work. And thats where things got strange. After flushing the DNS. The upload on Speedtest.net started... Got up to around 50... And then slowly went down, down, down to zero.. Then gave the same "upload failed.. unable to read upload file" error. Since then I have tired another DNS flush. But the whole upload happening and going down thing didn't happen... It just come straight up with the error.

Sorry for the long explanation. I just wanted to make sure I gave you all here as much info as I could... I'm completely at a loss.. And I was hoping someone here would be able to shed some light on the situation or help me work it out.

I also have run system restore. I tried multiple restore points and all of them come back "unable to complete system restore".

Some extra info..

I run Vista Home Premium.
I have tried using all different types of internet browser (chrome, firefox, opera and explorer).
I have Zonealarm Extreme.. But as I said. I disabled it and windows firewall.
I have Malwarebytes. Again disabled that.
I scanned with both Zonealarm and Malwarebytes and there were no viruses/malware.
I'm on Sky for the network. Connect via a BT Voyager 2110 on a wireless g network.
There are 5 other computers at my house and they are all using the wireless network (able to upload) just fine.
My computer is a Dell Inspiron 1720.
It has a Intel pro/wireless 3945ABG card built into it.

Any help would be really appreciated guys. I need this computer for University... And the internet is pretty vital for my course.. I know formatting it might be an option. But that is really a last resort.

Thank you. Again. Sorry for the long message.

Steven

Have just also found out guys that by running the computer in "safe mode with networking" everything works fine. The internet is fast. And speedtest.net downloads and uploads with no problem. So.. I guess that proves it's not a hardware problem.

I hope this information helps somewhat.

Originally Posted by strikesteve

Have just also found out guys that by running the computer in "safe mode with networking" everything works fine. The internet is fast. And speedtest.net downloads and uploads with no problem. So.. I guess that proves it's not a hardware problem.

I hope this information helps somewhat.

Hi strikesteve Welcome to D.A.L

If the problem goes away when you start in Safe Mode.
Then obviously something is starting in normal mode to cause the problem.
Can you still do your AntiVirus (AV) updates in normal mode?
Have you checked for spyware/malware using a dedicated malware tool like Malwarebytes?
Sometimes spyware/malware tools find problems missed by AV tools.
The free version of Malwarebytes can be found here Malwarebytes
Download and install and update it in safemode. Then give it a try in normal mode.
If you think it could possibly be a virus/malware then D.A.L's as a dedicated team to help with this.
Please go here Spyware, Adware, Viruses and Malware Removal - D-A-L Computer Help
read the sticky's and post your problem there.
If it not malware then MSconfig is the tool to track down what could be loading
at start up to cause your problem.
A guide on how to use MSconfig to find problem start up items can be found here How to use MSCONFIG in Windows XP: NetSquirrel.com
What you need to do is disable all none essential startup items by removing the ticks from their boxes then do a restart.
If one of your start ujp items is causing the problem you should know be able to download.
If that is the case. Now replace the ticks in the boxes. In for example blocks of five items and do a restart. Then check to see if you can still download.
If the problem returns then obviously one of the five items you have reinstated is the problem.
I know to do this will take some time but if an item that's loading on start up is causing the problem. This method will find which it is.

Jim

Hi there!

I literally did what you said but actually went through all of the running processes in task manager cancelling them one at a time and then testing. AND! It solved itself!

However if anyone here could actually tell me why this is it'd be very helpful. Basically the file causing the problem was called epmworker.exe ... I found out it is associated with phone software. Recently I had installed HTC Sync on my computer and the file actually runs from the "Program Files - HTC - HTC Sync - Mobile Phone Monitor" folder. After I disabled HTC Sync in autoruns from starting I no longer get the problem. If I do open HTC Sync. After I am done I just end epmworkers.exe process and the internet works fine.

I was just wondering if anyone knew why this is? Seems a little weird that HTC's software does this to the computer?

Anyway... Although it'd be interesting knowing why? Or a way to stop this happening.... It is solved. So if anyone else has this problem. A good idea would be to note if you have installed any phone software. And look for epmworker.exe in the processes!

Thanks for all the help though Jim! Your advice would have undoubtedly led me to the same solution!

Steven

Hi Steven

Glad to see you found the problem

Thanks for the information on what the problem was.
No doubt someone will encounter your problem themselves and
a google search will lead them to your post and the solution

Your question on why this resolved its self.
My suggestion is : -
It just possible that epmworker.exe file was corrupted.
When you unticked epmworker.exe in MSconfig this obviously stopped it loading.
This was an essential part of HTC Sync software and HTC Sync reinstalled
with a new uncorrupted file when you restarted.
But without having the software on my PC to test if that happened I cannot be
absolutely sure.

Jim

I am facing same problem. Some one help us in the matter. Thanks

Originally Posted by rickyjohn12

I am facing same problem. Some one help us in the matter. Thanks

Hi rickyjohn12

Could you Start a fresh post in Internet Issues and Questions and give us
the full details of your problem, what is exactly happening and any error messages you receive.
Also could you give us some details of your PC

Jim