Web surfing = !, newsgroup d/l's = :(

[makntraks]

My setup hasn't changed in the last six months or so. I am running NAV, Zone, and just a few background programs. Web surfing is fine but when I access the RR (Roadrunner) newsgroups my d/l speed is zilch, upload is fine. I had a RR tech here and it is definitely software related. When I boot in safe mode w/ networking the same type of d/l (newsgroup) hovers around 7 megs per second and this is confirmed by using a online bandwidth speed test as well as my own bandwidth monitor. I'd be ok w/ this but who likes to look at 640 x 480.....hahahaha....

Any ideas???? If ya need more info drop a reply...

TIA
makntraks

[AlanHK]

What if you just read text newsgroups?
If that works, even slowly, then it's not a firewall issue.

Maybe your anti-virus is blocking, or trying to check, everything.

Can you try a different news program? There are several free ones.

[makntraks]

Agent is my proggy of choice...

Even when I shut down NAV and Zone. I still get zilch d/l speeds.... I primarily d/l rar files... ~15 meg each...
When in safe mode all is well.... Also if I connect direct to the RR cable box (bypassing my router) things work the same way... ok surfing, bad download speed....

It has to be a start up process or something involved (virus, etc)....

makntraks

[AlanHK]

Agent is my proggy of choice...

Yes, but worth trying something else, eg Xnews.

[aedipuss]

just "turning off" zone alarm won't stop it from running. uninstall it and use the windows firewall or kerio free personal firewall and see if that fixes it.
http://www.321download.com/LastFreeware/page7.html#Kerio%20Personal%20Firewall

za brings back really bad memories here.

[stiltman]

msconfig
under start up take the checkmark out for zlclient
reboot
do you see the same problem?
If no, it's zone alarm, if yes it's not zone alarm

You can do this with everything until you find the problem

you may have to look at the starup service too

[AlanHK]

I use Zone Alarm, the free version. You can look at its logs to see what access it allowed and what it blocked, and "Program control" to see what applications it allows to use the network.

The pay version may be more intrusive. But normally, once you've okayed access, it's fine. If you've applied any updates to Agent, it looks like a new application and you have to okay it again. But this is a popup that asks permission, not a silent block.

[makntraks]

Thanks for all the input but it still only works in "safe" mode w/ networking. I have pretty much disabled all Zone Alarm functions, NAV functions, etc for a regular boot.... I certainly don't want to surf "naked"....

Think it might be a registry entry I don't know about????

Comments appreciated....
makntraks

[AlanHK]

Thanks for all the input but it still only works in "safe" mode w/ networking. I have pretty much disabled all Zone Alarm functions, NAV functions, etc for a regular boot.... I certainly don't want to surf "naked"....

Think it might be a registry entry I don't know about????

Comments appreciated....
makntraks

Have you tried other news clients?

This would indicate if it's application specific.

And/or use Process Explorer to see what's active when you're trying to use Agent.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/processexplorer.mspx