Unknown network problem

[zephyrus17]

I use:

Windows XP Professional SP2

54Mbps Wireless with Linksys WRT54G router.

Router IP: 192.168.1.1

Internet Explorer 7

(Mozilla Firefox, though installed, can't seem to run at all)

The problem arises when I'm running programs like Shareaza and uTorrent. Running either would cause Time outs and 'Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage' for simple things like my homepage.

Run > cmd and a ping trace gives a very, very high chance of Time out. When I called my ISP, they said that they detected no problem with my flow rate, and that it's superb with no latency. So why aren't I getting anything? If a page loads, most pictures will show the red 'x' and there'll be no background images.

If I close Shareaza and uTorrent, it gets better, but only to a certain extent. This was not the case, say, two weeks ago. I thought this might have been a firewall problem, but whenever I double click my Windows Firewall, it says 'Due to an unexpected error, Windows cannot display Windows Firewall settings.'

Spyware scans and registry scans show nothing wrong. I've tried forwarding ports following the instructions given in http://www.portfoward.com, but to no avail.

Is there anything more I can do? I'm thinking of reinstalling my Windows. Thank you for any help provided.

[-pops-]

One of the big problems with P2P prgrams is that you are left open to picking up all sorts of things that you wish you did not have. This happens to almost everyone that uses this type of software sooner or later - more often sooner.

What anti-virus and other anti-malware programs do you run?

Do you run them on a regular basis?

Are they up to date?

Can you do a System Restore to a time before this started happening?

Do you have a backup of your system?

[zephyrus17]

On-access, it's McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.0.0. I'm guessing it's 24/7 as long as my computer's on.

I don't think I've ever done a system restore save point before, so I guess there's no backup, there.

[-pops-]

So McAfee is the only antimalware program you have installed. Does it run on a scheduled scan?

I suggest that you download and run http://www.superantispyware.com/ and/or http://www.ewido.net/en/download/ and/or http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/download/ (make sure you download the free edition).

I suspect, though, that it may be too late in which case go to our Security pages and get a HiJackThis scan analysed. http://forums.windowsforum.org/index.php?showforum=53

Regarding System Restore, this is an automatic function of Windows ME and XP and can be accessed from the Help & Support pages in the O/S.

[zephyrus17]

I've tried all three spyware programs listed above. No improvement. I have noticed this, though; when I fail to sign in to MSN messenger, it would say a 'gateway error'. Is there any way I can diagnose this error?

[-pops-]

Did you remove all the malware that Ewido etc. found in your machine or did you just let them find the entries and leave installed?

You would be best now going to the HiJackThis link I gave above if you have no improvement.

[zephyrus17]

Well, I deleted most, and quarentined some as well. I have a log file from HijackThis. Is there anyway I can show it to you/you all?

[-pops-]

If you follow the link I gave to the Forum's HJT department you will find how to post to our specialist section there.