[Rob8UrChips]

Hi Folks,

My connection to the Web frequently ceases. To get it back:
- I exit Firefox, and stop all active torrents before exiting the torrent Client (tc) which I try to run 24/7;
- I then stop the connection to the ADSL router using the Safe Removal of Hardware icon in the system tray;
- Then either pull the cable to the router out the computer USB socket and re-plug OR (if the "Internet" lamp on the router doesn't stop flashing) cut power to the router, wait a few minutes, and switch power back on. [I can't use the routers 'Hub Manager' program to restart it because it also needs a connection to the Web (which has ceased)].

I get the following System Log entries (copied in full below) upon reconnection to the Web using Firefox or IE, and despite running 'Advanced Windows Care v2 Personal' system optimization and registry fixer, as well as reading at Microsoft and EventID.net I've been unable to understand what's going on, or how to fix it.

This problem has existed for months. One suggested solution was to start using a server from OpenNIC, but I don't know how to do that. So if you feel you can help solve this, please write in the most idiot-proof manner by spelling out what I should do or what further info you need from me. My system specs. are listed in the Profile page.

Here's the most recent copy entries from the System Log [with my words in bold between square brackets] after the router rebooted and reconnected the computer to the Web..


Event Type: Information
Event Source: BROWSER
Event Category: None
Event ID: 8033
Date: 05/10/2007
Time: 04:16:43
User: N/A
Computer: WISE
Description:
The browser has forced an election on network \Device\Nbf_{174A3D86-D421-44BF-B400-B10AAC329343} because a master browser was stopped.


Event Type: Information
Event Source: BROWSER
Event Category: None
Event ID: 8033
Date: 05/10/2007
Time: 04:16:43
User: N/A
Computer: WISE
Description:
The browser has forced an election on network \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{174A3D86-D421-44BF-B400-B10AAC329343} because a master browser was stopped.

[The difference in the above is "Nbf" and "NetBT_Tcpip". These entries occur when connection between the computer and router is stopped.
The following three entries occur when a new connection to the Web is made.]


Event Type: Warning
Event Source: Dhcp
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1007
Date: 05/10/2007
Time: 04:18:04
User: N/A
Computer: WISE
Description:
Your computer has automatically configured the IP address for the Network Card with network address [MAC Address of my computer]. The IP address being used is [variable, but never the IP address of my computer].
Data:
0000: 00 00 00 00 ....


Event Type: Error
Event Source: Server
Event Category: None
Event ID: 2504
Date: 05/10/2007
Time: 04:18:13
User: N/A
Computer: WISE
Description:
The server could not bind to the transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{174A3D86-D421-44BF-B400-B10AAC329343}.
Data:
0000: aa 05 00 00 ª...


Event Type: Error
Event Source: Server
Event Category: None
Event ID: 2505
Date: 05/10/2007
Time: 04:18:23
User: N/A
Computer: WISE
Description:
The server could not bind to the transport \Device\NetbiosSmb because another computer on the network has the same name. The server could not start.
Data:
0000: 34 00 00 00 4...


That's the last of the entries, and I can't figure out why it says, "...another computer on the network has the same name." - I have only one computer!

That said, I found a page using the router's Hub Manager that said there's a MAC Address for each of these:
the router;
the computer (on "usbport"); and
an unknown device (on "ethport3" which I told the router ages ago to delete because I have no devices using any ethernet port, but it keeps coming back and I don't know what it is or if it should be there).

Is there a page on my computer where I can ask it about these, or fix it?

If you've got this far, thanks for your patience. And please chip-in (by assuming I wont know what you're talking about) if you want to suggest a fix or to ask me anything.

EDIT: I've downloaded a free program that should tell me if I need to update any drivers. I'll give that a try and see what happens.

[Rob8UrChips]

Hey Folks,

Could still do with help for this.

The drivers program referred to above said I needed updates that I didn't need or already had. So I'm back to relying on a connection to the Web that keeps giving up on me.

As an emergency attempt to fix, I switched everything off at the mains and banged the computer off the desk a few times. Maybe a few grammes of dust were shifted. I don't know, but things seem OK for now.

If some kind person can at least tell me why my computer has a schizoid dual-personality where it wrongly thinks "there's a computer with the same name" somewhere on my 'network' that comprises of only the one computer, then I'd be grateful to you.