Internet Crashes using Windows Vista?

-Vista TCP MTU Settings May Crash Your Router-

Help for Internet Crashes: Make sure Vista MTU settings are <1430 .

The following FAQ is from a ZOOM router support page but might fix other routers too. Takes only seconds and is worth as shot:

It has come to our attention that when the MTU setting in the system registry is set too high, it can cause an external ADSL modem to "freeze" or "lock up." You can easily resolve this by using a utility program to maximize the efficiency of your broadband Internet connection. One good program is DrTCP (click here for more information and to download). The normal MTU setting for PPPoE and PPPoA is 1492. You can check with your ADSL service provider to see if they have a recommended setting but we have found that changing the MTU to 1430 or even 1400 will resolve the freeze problem. Your should reset the modem after making this change. "

Windows Vista in is preconfigured to automatically adjust your internet settings for best performance. Most online gamers recommend a MTU setting of 1500.

To check your current MTU settings:

1) Click on START

 

2) Select ACCESSORIES

3 )Right-click on COMMAND PROMPT and select RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR

4) Copy the following line into your clipboard to check your current MTU settings.

netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces

5) Select the comand prompt window, right click "Paste" and press "Enter" key.

6) Command Prompt will show your current MTU setting for Local Area Connection.

7) Copy the following line into your clipboard to change MTU to 1430:

8) Select Command Prompt Window, paste the line and press "Enter" key.

9) Command Prompt Window should respond with "Ok"

10) Verify MTU settings are change by copy & pasting first line again:

netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces

11) Command Prompt should show your MTU at your custom setting.

12) Easy? You bet! Now do me a favor and don't drink & drive. Ever :-)

 

13) Checked your Windows Vista Registry lately?

14) For more information see the following F.A.Q. About Vista MTU :

F. A. Q.:

What is MTU?

It stands for Maximum Transmission Unit and defines the largest size a network packet can be.
A higher MTU size can increase network efficiency.
Apparently, it can also crash a router if the size is too big :-)
For more information, visit Wikipedia's entry on MTU at

MTU Wikipedia

What is Command Prompt?

It allows you to execute programs without using advanced graphical interfaces.
Back in the MS-DOS days, the command prompt was an essential life-line.

In older Windows versions, it used to be listed as an essential system tool.
In Vista, Microsoft apparently considers it an accessory.

As you can see, it's still an essential system tool. :-)

For more information about the command prompt, visit
Vista Command Prompt Changes

What is NETSH?

NETSH stands for Net Shell. It's a small Microsoft network utility to change TCP/IP settings.

For more information, see

TCP IP Changes with NETSH

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/242468

 

 

 

© 2009 Marc Helfer #