Downloaded TCP Optimizer a few days ago - now my internet connection is scr3wed.

[trappedintime]

I had this in another thread (TCP Optimizer ruined my connection (http://forums.speedguide.net/showthread.php?t=218441)) so let me copy and paste: (just so you don't waste time suggesting the same things since I already tried those that were sugested to the original thread starter.)



"Ok, I also used TCP Optimizer, just like the guy who started this thread and I am having the exact same issues. The only thing different in my situation: I have cable (not DSL) and I didn't do anything else like change my firewall or add programs or anything.


After restoring the TCP Optimizer backup and it didn't work, I deleted every trace of TCP optimizer (including the backup file) and scanned my computer with Ad-Aware and everything. I also downloaded winsockfix.exe after reading this thread and that also did nothing.

I have two laptops at my house. If I only use the one that didn't have TCP Optimizer on it, everything is fine. It's only when I boot the other laptop (that had the Optimizer) and connect to the internet, then I have about 5 minutes before the connection is screwed - not just on that one computer but for both laptops. This is why I assumed something was being reconfigured with the router. I unplug it and plug it back in and then the connection will work again for five more minutes, and so on and so on.

Also, like the guy who had this similar problem - after my connection has been fried, although I can't pull up any web pages or anything, I have noticed that when uTorrent is open it is still uploading torrents at a pretty normal rate. So, it seems I am not completely disconnected.

I knew what my router settings were before TCP Optimizer because I had recently installed firmware and had been working with it a lot and had become familiar with the settings. Thus, after deleting TCP and resetting my router to the factory defaults, I was able to restore it just from memory ... but still, I have the same problems post-Optimizer. Everything was really fine before - I just thought I could tweak the speed with Optimizer to help my torrent downloads. Big mistake. It's like it sends a signal after being online for a few minutes and resets my connection settings and the whole thing just overloads.

Please, please help.

I really don't want to have to install other programs to fix the problem if i don't have to and I am REALLLY opposed to putting TCP Optimizer on my computer again in any form.

(my router is a Linksys and the firmware I installed was DD-WRT. both were fine before Optimizer.)"



I got this response:


Although we can help you here, it would be better if you'd post a new thread, stating your problem. Post all your information including Operating system, Processor, RAM, NIC, etc.

The reason you should post a new topic is so that the helpers here can help one person at a time in a single thread. Thanks, and welcome to Speedguide.net. We will try our best to assist you. :)

My compter knowledge is limited to certain things (i.e. I know my router really well)... so for other things you might have to explain in more detail and in simple terms.


Ok... I am using Windows XP ... I use a wireless router - a Linksys WRT54G v4 and I installed DD-WRT v.23 and it was working fine. I use Comcast as my provider.

What other info do you need?

[trappedintime]

Hello? anyone?


Can someone at least tell me where else to look for info on problems caused by TCP Optimizer...? Other forums or online help?

[poutine]

Ok so you tried winsock repair, surely you should repair the TCPIP Stack.
Thats what optimizer changes.

Go to Start/Run and type "command" (without the quotes)

now type NETSH INTERFACE IP RESET LOG.TXT

after a few seconds itll be done. reboot and try again.
cheers

[trappedintime]

Ok, I tried that... nada. Same problem.


(oh and, besides uTorrent, the google talk application also stays connected. I am not sure if that might help diagnose the connection problem...)

[trogers]

Have you updated your XP to SP2, including all the latest patches and updates?

Who is your ISP and what speed did you pay to get?

Post your TCP Analyzer report.

[trappedintime]

Have you updated your XP to SP2, including all the latest patches and updates?

Who is your ISP and what speed did you pay to get?

Post your TCP Analyzer report.



Yes, I have the SP2 update.

Comcast - 6 Mbps/384 Kbps connection (at least) ... I am looking at my bill since my monthly payment is more than the basic but I am not sure what speed I requested when I signed up for service. Either way, pretty sure - 6 Mbps/384 Kbps.



« SpeedGuide.net TCP Analyzer Results »
Tested on: 03.27.2007 21:18
IP address: 71.56.xxx.xx

TCP options string: 020405b401010402
MSS: 1460
MTU: 1500
TCP Window: 17520 (multiple of MSS)
RWIN Scaling: 0
Unscaled RWIN : 17520
Reccomended RWINs: 64240, 128480, 256960, 513920
BDP limit (200ms): 701kbps (88KBytes/s)
BDP limit (500ms): 280kbps (35KBytes/s)
MTU Discovery: ON
TTL: 111
Timestamps: OFF
SACKs: ON
IP ToS: 00100000 (32)
Precedence: 001 (priority)
Delay: 0 (normal delay)
Throughput: 0 (normal throughput)
Reliability: 0 (normal reliability)
Cost: 0 (normal cost)
Check bit: 0 (correct)
DiffServ: CS1 001000 (8) - class 1 (RFC 2474). Similar forwarding behavior to the ToS Precedence field.



hmm, ok - well I can see that my RWIN is not what it is supposed to be. Is that likely the problem? If so, how can I change it WITHOUT Optimizer... surely there is a manual way to go in and change it... right?

[trogers]

Yes, I have the SP2 update.

Comcast - 6 Mbps/384 Kbps connection (at least) ... I am looking at my bill since my monthly payment is more than the basic but I am not sure what speed I requested when I signed up for service. Either way, pretty sure - 6 Mbps/384 Kbps.



« SpeedGuide.net TCP Analyzer Results »
Tested on: 03.27.2007 21:18
IP address: 71.56.xxx.xx

TCP options string: 020405b401010402
MSS: 1460
MTU: 1500
TCP Window: 17520 (multiple of MSS)
RWIN Scaling: 0
Unscaled RWIN : 17520
Reccomended RWINs: 64240, 128480, 256960, 513920
BDP limit (200ms): 701kbps (88KBytes/s)
BDP limit (500ms): 280kbps (35KBytes/s)
MTU Discovery: ON
TTL: 111
Timestamps: OFF
SACKs: ON
IP ToS: 00100000 (32)
Precedence: 001 (priority)
Delay: 0 (normal delay)
Throughput: 0 (normal throughput)
Reliability: 0 (normal reliability)
Cost: 0 (normal cost)
Check bit: 0 (correct)
DiffServ: CS1 001000 (8) - class 1 (RFC 2474). Similar forwarding behavior to the ToS Precedence field.



hmm, ok - well I can see that my RWIN is not what it is supposed to be. Is that likely the problem? If so, how can I change it WITHOUT Optimizer... surely there is a manual way to go in and change it... right?

Search your Registry for these 2 entries and change their decimal values to 128480 as recommended by TCP Analyzer:

GlobalMaxTcpWindowSize

TcpWindowSize

[trappedintime]

Search your Registry for these 2 entries and change their decimal values to 128480 as recommended by TCP Analyzer:

GlobalMaxTcpWindowSize

TcpWindowSize


Ok, wait... windows registry? Like, Start > RUN > "regedit" ?

Then do I just use the "find" feature? I did that but I am confused as to how to "use" the results as far as where and how I should change the decimal values.



(Although, I also just noticed that there is a whole TCP Optimizer tab here with a couple sub-files... grrrrrr... I searched my whole hard drive when this originally happened and it didn't find any traces of Optimizer. )

[trogers]

Both of these entries are in:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

Just click right on the entries and choose 'Edit' and 'decimal' to key in 128480

[trappedintime]

Both of these entries are in:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

Just click right on the entries and choose 'Edit' and 'decimal' to key in 128480



Ok - sorry, but I am afraid to do anything else to my system that will screw it up so I have to be specific...

When you say right click the "entries", do you mean on the file tree there on the left or the individual documents or entries or whatever that show up on the right? And when you say "edit"... well, I don't see edit. "Modify"... maybe? And what will the window look like to input that decimal value? I haven't seen anything that is clearly asking for a decimal value.

Oh, and you said "both" entries are in... and then listed three locations. What is the third one? Do I change it there too in addition to the others?

[trogers]

The entries "GlobalMaxTcpWindowSize" and "TcpWindowSize" are the names of DWORD displayed on the right column and presently have decimal value of 17520.

You want to change their decimal value to 128480.

[trappedintime]

Ok, no - I don't see "GlobalMaxTcpWindowSize" or "TcpWindowSize" or any kind of decimal value of 17520.


Here, I have no idea, I'm starting to lose it and my connection cutting out isn't helping anything. I just took a screenshot:


"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\Tcpip\Parameters"

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a346/trappedintime/corel.jpg


Maybe I am in the wrong place or something, hell, I dunno.

[trogers]

That is because you have deleted TCP Optimizer entries and your Registry has reverted to Windows default.

You can highlight 'Parameter', click right and choose 'New' and 'DWORD value' to create the names of these 2 entries. After that, set their decimal value to 128480.

[trappedintime]

well, TCP Optimizer still has its own file and subfiles in the registry and I have long since restored the "backup", but I digress.


Ok, do I need to create those two entries and set the decimal values under all THREE locations?

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

???

[trogers]

well, TCP Optimizer still has its own file and subfiles in the registry and I have long since restored the "backup", but I digress.


Ok, do I need to create those two entries and set the decimal values under all THREE locations?

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Services\Tcpip\Parameters

???

Sometimes, creating the 2 entries in CurrentControlSet will automatically create the same in the other two. But make a check and if any of the other 2 does not have the new entries, create them using Regedit.

[trappedintime]

Ok, done.


I suppose... reboot? Or should I just wait and see what happens?

It's been about six minutes, so far so good. (Sometimes it takes 10 to cut out though.)

::fingers crossed::

[trogers]

Do another TCP Analyzer report and check to see if TCP Receive Window has become 128480.

Test your speed at this link using a few nearby test servers: http://www.speedtest.net/

[trappedintime]

Ok, well the TCP receive window hadn't changed from the 17000 value and then my connection timed out again. This time I rebooted and then checked it again - upon reboot it has changed to 128480.


« SpeedGuide.net TCP Analyzer Results »
Tested on: 03.27.2007 23:51
IP address: 71.56.xxx.xx

TCP options string: 020405b40103030101010402
MSS: 1460
MTU: 1500
TCP Window: 128480 (multiple of MSS)
RWIN Scaling: 1
Unscaled RWIN : 64240
Reccomended RWINs: 64240, 128480, 256960, 513920
BDP limit (200ms): 5139kbps (642KBytes/s)
BDP limit (500ms): 2056kbps (257KBytes/s)
MTU Discovery: ON
TTL: 111
Timestamps: OFF
SACKs: ON
IP ToS: 00100000 (32)
Precedence: 001 (priority)
Delay: 0 (normal delay)
Throughput: 0 (normal throughput)
Reliability: 0 (normal reliability)
Cost: 0 (normal cost)
Check bit: 0 (correct)
DiffServ: CS1 001000 (8) - class 1 (RFC 2474). Similar forwarding behavior to the ToS Precedence field.


Ok, then the speed test - it seems like maybe it froze (took forever to do the upload test but the download one worked fine.)

The results were:

download: 8621 kbps
upload: 30 kbps


hmm, that seems strange. my utorrent is uploading at 46 kb/s right now.

Thoughts?


I might try to start downloading a torrent and see what it does.


------------------------------


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Nevermind. When I went to post that - connection timed out.

The problem remains.

@*&$@#!*%*&!$%*&%*#% !!!

excuse me.

So... what now?

[trogers]

When upload is slow, the first suspect is the presence of spyware/malware. Download, update and scan with SpyBot and Lavasoft Ad-Aware and remove them. After that, use a registry cleaner to cleanup and then reboot comp to refresh your settings.

[trappedintime]

When upload is slow, the first suspect is the presence of spyware/malware. Download, update and scan with SpyBot and Lavasoft Ad-Aware and remove them. After that, use a registry cleaner to cleanup and then reboot comp to refresh your settings.

I already used Ad-Aware and have scanned my entire system two or three times since this started (I was trying to get rid of TCP Optimizer but it didn't find anything either way.)


Is there anything specific I should look for?


Also, I am trying the speed test again since the connection was timing out around the time the upload test was running. What should it be - approximately?


If you are saying it is likely some kind of spyware... does that mean that the RWIN and all that had nothing to do with it?

[trogers]

No. The problem is unlikely to be RWIN.

Try using this software (a-squared Free 2.1) to scan. It has picked up problems that both SpyBot and Ad-Aware missed:

http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/download/

[trappedintime]

well, just to follow up: my connection is in the same state it was after downloading TCP Optimizer - nothing has improved. I have used every spysweeper imaginable and researched every possible malware or spyware that might possibly be hidden on my computer and I have found nothing.


ANY other suggestions? I just can't bear paying the geek squad $99 to talk to me on the phone to fix this.

[trogers]

Do a tracert to www.yahoo.com and post.

[trappedintime]

I think maybe my connection was going out as I did this so I might try it again, but here were the results:

Microsoft(R) Windows DOS
(C)Copyright Microsoft Corp 1990-2001.

C:\DOCUME~1\OWNER>tracert www.yahoo.com

Tracing route to www.yahoo-ht3.akadns.net [69.147.114.210]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 * 1 ms <1 ms DD-WRT [192.168.1.1]
2 1506 ms 823 ms 1277 ms 73.59.72.1
3 1028 ms 1357 ms 1609 ms GE-2-2-ur01.A3atlanta.ga.atlanta.comcast.net [68
.86.110.221]
4 1777 ms 1414 ms 1153 ms 68.86.106.34
5 * 1139 ms 1158 ms 68.86.106.38
6 1317 ms 1788 ms 1482 ms te-9-4-ar01.d1stonemtn.ga.atlanta.comcast.net [6
8.86.106.42]
7 1693 ms * * 12.124.64.21
8 1636 ms 1167 ms 1686 ms tbr2-p013801.attga.ip.att.net [12.123.20.174]
9 1133 ms 1351 ms 1439 ms 12.122.96.65
10 1492 ms 1118 ms 1157 ms 192.205.34.62
11 1349 ms 1283 ms 1537 ms ae-32-52.ebr2.Atlanta2.Level3.net [4.68.103.62]

12 1483 ms 1354 ms * ae-1-100.ebr1.Atlanta2.Level3.net [4.69.132.33]

13 1489 ms 1500 ms 1554 ms ae-2.ebr1.Washington1.Level3.net [4.69.132.86]
14 1570 ms 1059 ms 1531 ms ae-11-53.car1.Washington1.Level3.net [4.68.121.8
2]
15 1561 ms 980 ms 1549 ms 4.79.228.2
16 1421 ms 1358 ms 1519 ms ge-3-1-0-p140.msr1.re1.yahoo.com [216.115.108.57
]
17 1572 ms 1109 ms 869 ms ge-1-32.bas-a2.re3.yahoo.com [66.196.112.39]
18 1320 ms 1235 ms 1693 ms f1.www.vip.re3.yahoo.com [69.147.114.210]

Trace complete.

C:\DOCUME~1\OWNER>

[trogers]

I think maybe my connection was going out as I did this so I might try it again, but here were the results:

Microsoft(R) Windows DOS
(C)Copyright Microsoft Corp 1990-2001.

C:\DOCUME~1\OWNER>tracert www.yahoo.com

Tracing route to www.yahoo-ht3.akadns.net [69.147.114.210]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 * 1 ms <1 ms DD-WRT [192.168.1.1]
2 1506 ms 823 ms 1277 ms 73.59.xxx.xxx
3 1028 ms 1357 ms 1609 ms GE-2-2-ur01.A3atlanta.ga.atlanta.comcast.net [68
.86.110.221]
4 1777 ms 1414 ms 1153 ms 68.86.106.34
5 * 1139 ms 1158 ms 68.86.106.38
6 1317 ms 1788 ms 1482 ms te-9-4-ar01.d1stonemtn.ga.atlanta.comcast.net [6
8.86.106.42]
7 1693 ms * * 12.124.64.21
8 1636 ms 1167 ms 1686 ms tbr2-p013801.attga.ip.att.net [12.123.20.174]
9 1133 ms 1351 ms 1439 ms 12.122.96.65
10 1492 ms 1118 ms 1157 ms 192.205.34.62
11 1349 ms 1283 ms 1537 ms ae-32-52.ebr2.Atlanta2.Level3.net [4.68.103.62]

12 1483 ms 1354 ms * ae-1-100.ebr1.Atlanta2.Level3.net [4.69.132.33]

13 1489 ms 1500 ms 1554 ms ae-2.ebr1.Washington1.Level3.net [4.69.132.86]
14 1570 ms 1059 ms 1531 ms ae-11-53.car1.Washington1.Level3.net [4.68.121.8
2]
15 1561 ms 980 ms 1549 ms 4.79.228.2
16 1421 ms 1358 ms 1519 ms ge-3-1-0-p140.msr1.re1.yahoo.com [216.115.108.57
]
17 1572 ms 1109 ms 869 ms ge-1-32.bas-a2.re3.yahoo.com [66.196.112.39]
18 1320 ms 1235 ms 1693 ms f1.www.vip.re3.yahoo.com [69.147.114.210]

Trace complete.

C:\DOCUME~1\OWNER>

Seems your modem is sitting on a magnet. Turn off power to your router and modem and relocate them so that both of them are a few feet apart and also a few feet away from any other electrical devices.

[trappedintime]

Really? I mean, if you think it's necessary to take it apart and find another place for it, I will... but it has been in that spot for a year with no problems and I have another older laptop sitting right here next to me that is fine.

Could that reading mean anything else besides a "magnet" ?? Right now it is in a corner about as far from electrical devices as it can get.

[trogers]

Really? I mean, if you think it's necessary to take it apart and find another place for it, I will... but it has been in that spot for a year with no problems and I have another older laptop sitting right here next to me that is fine.

Could that reading mean anything else besides a "magnet" ?? Right now it is in a corner about as far from electrical devices as it can get.

When you have high ping times at your modem (hop 2) it can mean electromagnetic interference (EMI) or a bad or outdated firmware.

But your router at hop 1 is also showing one ping timed out and a 1ms. I thus conclude EMI as the possible cause.

See: http://www.speedguide.net/read_articles.php?id=1885

and also some of our other Users' Stories.

[Sivitiri]

get (spybot search and destroy) and spyblaster.

[trappedintime]

When you have high ping times at your modem (hop 2) it can mean electromagnetic interference (EMI) or a bad or outdated firmware.

But your router at hop 1 is also showing one ping timed out and a 1ms. I thus conclude EMI as the possible cause.

See: http://www.speedguide.net/read_articles.php?id=1885

and also some of our other Users' Stories.


I tried moving it around - nothing. I really don't think that was the issue though - it would have been a huge coincidence if after a year in the same spot, the iterference just started out of nowhere at the same time I was reworking my router and connection speeds. And again, my other laptop stays connected just fine.


What about the firmware... how can I check that? If there was an issue with it, would it be possible for one laptop to cause problems with it and another work just fine? Could it just be a setting that I need to fix? I just put the firmware on there a few weeks ago (DD-WRT) and it seemed to be ok (after some reconfiguring.) Would TCP Optimizer have changed any of the firmware settings? Maybe something just didn't restored on backup?

[trogers]

I tried moving it around - nothing. I really don't think that was the issue though - it would have been a huge coincidence if after a year in the same spot, the iterference just started out of nowhere at the same time I was reworking my router and connection speeds. And again, my other laptop stays connected just fine.


What about the firmware... how can I check that? If there was an issue with it, would it be possible for one laptop to cause problems with it and another work just fine? Could it just be a setting that I need to fix? I just put the firmware on there a few weeks ago (DD-WRT) and it seemed to be ok (after some reconfiguring.) Would TCP Optimizer have changed any of the firmware settings? Maybe something just didn't restored on backup?

If you have connected another comp to the same signal devices and the line works fine, then a possible cause of the bad connection would be the Nic of the comp that is experiencing a bad line.

To confirm, switch Nic between laptops and test both laptops.

[kekegsm]

I have the same problem. Skype, torrent, messenger working, browsers not. I used the TCP Optimizer only on my laptop, but today my girlfriend`s laptop not work too with same error. If I switch of my laptop, the other start work.

I use wireless router, Netgear.

[trogers]

I have the same problem. Skype, torrent, messenger working, browsers not. I used the TCP Optimizer only on my laptop, but today my girlfriend`s laptop not work too with same error. If I switch of my laptop, the other start work.

I use wireless router, Netgear.

Your problem may be in how you configure your wireless connection.

See the tips on wireless networking:

http://forums.speedguide.net/showthread.php?t=203247

[jpmackay]

Want to see what is your opinion for my TCP Optimizer? My operating system for this desktop is Microsoft Windows XP SP-3. And here is below:

« SpeedGuide.net TCP Analyzer Results »
Tested on: 08.10.2008 13:53
IP address: 72.39.xxx.xxx

TCP options string: 020405b40103030201010402
MSS: 1460
MTU: 1500
TCP Window: 261360 (NOT multiple of MSS)
RWIN Scaling: 2
Unscaled RWIN : 65340
Reccomended RWINs: 64240, 128480, 256960, 513920
BDP limit (200ms): 10454kbps (1307KBytes/s)
BDP limit (500ms): 4182kbps (523KBytes/s)
MTU Discovery: ON
TTL: 50
Timestamps: OFF
SACKs: ON
IP ToS: 00000000 (0)

Hope someone can tell me that if this is looking good or need to be change.

Thank you,

John P. Mackay
Belleville, ON Canada eh?

[trogers]

Want to see what is your opinion for my TCP Optimizer? My operating system for this desktop is Microsoft Windows XP SP-3. And here is below:

« SpeedGuide.net TCP Analyzer Results »
Tested on: 08.10.2008 13:53
IP address: 72.39.xxx.xxx

TCP options string: 020405b40103030201010402
MSS: 1460
MTU: 1500
TCP Window: 261360 (NOT multiple of MSS)
RWIN Scaling: 2
Unscaled RWIN : 65340
Reccomended RWINs: 64240, 128480, 256960, 513920
BDP limit (200ms): 10454kbps (1307KBytes/s)
BDP limit (500ms): 4182kbps (523KBytes/s)
MTU Discovery: ON
TTL: 50
Timestamps: OFF
SACKs: ON
IP ToS: 00000000 (0)

Hope someone can tell me that if this is looking good or need to be change.

Thank you,

John P. Mackay
Belleville, ON Canada eh?

What speed did you pay to get?

[ZombieKris]

Okay after reading this... it is similar to my problem. i doubt that we are both having interference. I think there is something wrong with TCP Optimizer itself... something we must of done or didn't do is affecting our systems - thus transfering to the router

[ZombieKris]

Hey, buddy, I have found the answer! THE ANSWER TO CURE ALL! It worked for me and made my speed go faster, ping is a bit better, still trying to fix that. Here it is:

RESET YOUR MODEM!

It should work XD

[Weedy]

Hey, buddy, I have found the answer! THE ANSWER TO CURE ALL! It worked for me and made my speed go faster, ping is a bit better, still trying to fix that. Here it is:

RESET YOUR MODEM!

It should work XD
lol, surprising how often that works eh?

[ZombieKris]

I know heh XD