Network

[Peter1]

Ok, so this has been going on for awhile.. and its gotten to the point where i wanna fix it since its so damn annoying..

There's two parts to the problem.

#1.

When i turn on the computer it starts up and STALLS on "preparing network connections" for about 2mins or so... (this started a few months ago, i have no clue why, i never changed anything)

Now i googled the problem, and saw several posts about it.. but nothing that could help me. There is no network here.. its one computer, ADSL modem on a LAN connection. Thats it.

For the second problem (which is related most likely to the first)

#2

When the computer is turned on and everything gets finished loading,.. I turn on the modem and it connects after a few mins.. but IF i double click on any icon or folder on desktop... it "Stalls"

For example.. when i press "my computer" (while the modem is on right after start up) it'll stall.. and take a couple mins before it LOADS... now this happens only once after start up, later on i can click and it opens.. but if its off a brand new start up and I'm connected to the internet.. it stalls and i have to wait for it to load up, which takes several mins http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':huh:\' />

Now this DOESN'T happen if i just start up the computer and leave the modem turned off (which is why i know its directly associated with the internet connection)

Any possible reasons for this? Its really annoying..  http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dry.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'<_<\' />

[guestolo]

I got no idea Peter
Are you still using a Cracked copy of ZoneAlarm???

You were previously, remember I mentioned Sygates'?

Actually, here's what I said

Well, I haven't used ZA in some time, so I can't vouch for it
A cracked copy that's causing you problems, very much a possibility
But give Sygate's a try, and clear some dead space on the drive  http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' />

Here's a link to Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6.2808
http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=sygate

Your choice to stick with the Cracked version or a legit version
ONLY USE ONE software firewall protection
I use Sygate's on my 2000 pro machine, wouldn't be without it

[Peter1]

Hey olo, thanks for the response.. I'm running on 256MB of ram.. the C drive is on 4+ gigs and the D is on 22gigs.. So it doesn't have anything to do with that i guess.. I'm looking to speed the pc up basically.. but there seems that something got messed up with the "connections" cause i disabled zonealarm all the way back since we last talked.. and i manually start it up after desktop is done, and then without connecting to the net, "my computer" or anything else opens up fine..

But once i get connected to the net, thats a different story.. I wish i could figure out what happened with the connections.. its pretty annoying.

Thanks again

[guestolo]

Disabling ZoneAlarm won't do it, to see if it is causing problems you actually need to uninstall it

I would do the following
Download Sygates 5.6.2808 from the link I gave you but DO NOT install it yet

Next: Physically disconnect the cable from the Internet
I prefer to do this, 2000 unprotected can get a virus in no time at all

Uninstall Zone Alarm,
Reboot the computer
Back in Windows
Install Sygates>>Shut down the computer

Reconnect the cable to internet
Start back into windows

It may be a bit slow at first, but let it fully load to windows
Open Sygates options and uncheck the "Check for Updates" option
If it prompt to register click the register now, it will take you to Symantec's I think
You can just close the website after you visit the first time

Reboot a couple times and see if boot up is a bit faster
remember, you must fully uninstall ZoneAlarm