In reply to a post by 4M2:

Win7 is a mule when it comes to networking issues

I don`t turn off the Power TO the Router I just Turn it Off by using the Power Button - is that the same thing ?

Yep, as far as I know, both result in a cold restart.

Numerous normal shut downs and restarts of the pc shouldn't cause any problems, Win7 normally allows background processes to cease before shutting down, unless you force a shut down which is best avoided.

Thanks - for your answer about the Turning Off of the Router.

Regarding the Computer I am describing having to Power OffI to Shut Down - because the Computer `Freezes` and I cannot either Restart or Shutdown normally - that is what worries Me - not Restarting or normal Shutdowns.

When using the Computer in the past - seemingly working correctly - I have been tempted in the past to Select `Force Shutdown` when the Shutdown process seemed to be delayed for some reason - I did not use this and I will remember to NOT use it unless Absolutely Necessary.

Thanks again,


Chris

"Hello All",

Thanks for all of your help - I must end this for Tonight at 02:30 Hours here in London.

Up for work at 06:30 !

Regards,


Chris

It does sound like a problem with the network driver or the windows startup process (there is a remote possibility that the network is trying to start up before something that it relies upon and causing the PC to lock up but this is difficult to diagnose via forums).

I do have one suggestion. Rather than keep powering the router on/off you will find the network cable that goes from the router to the back of the PC is a better option. Try unplugging the network cable and leaving the router turned on. Once the PC has started up then plug the network cable back in (you could actually unplug it from either end so if the router is easier to get at then unplug the network from that end). This "should" have the same effect as powering off the router as far as the PC is concerned.

The reason I suggest this is regularly turning routers off when testing is not generally a good idea whereas unplugging the network cable is far better (just be careful with the little but of plastic that holds the cable into the socket as they have a tendency to snap off if you aren't a little gentle with them).

sounds similoar to probs i had.. i got new cpu and all good again (maybe not the cure for ur pc but i felt i should mention it

oops sorry for bad spelling lol... i meant psu not cpu..sorry

ian72,

Removing the ethernet cable is a good idea for all the reasons that you mentioned, i.e. same effect as powering off the router etc. But I wanted to establish whether the pc would boot and shut down normally with the network adapter disabled from the Win7 GUI whilst the router was powered on. This being the next stage in the diagnosis since the OP has established that a network connection is causing problems with the OS.

I wasn't disagreeing with your advice just suggesting that powering router down is a bad idea with the alternative just being unplugging the cable - testing with the network adapter disabled is a good move as well...

Another avenue!

Many routers have a setting Connection Type set to Always On. Try it with ON Demand / Trigger by Traffic.

There appears to be a problem with driver failing to load properly. Or with ethernet chip.
Go to Control panel and view by small icons
Find Device Manager and click. Are there any yellow ? marks or red X on network adaptors list.
If No
If Yes Post here

Can you connect to router by wireless

Obtain PCI Adaptor Ethernet Adaptor from ebay(£2.80 delivered), in windows 7 they will be plug and play.
In control panel find Network and sharing. find Change adaptor settings down left
Right click on Local Area Connection and disable.
Shut down computer and connect ethernet cable to PCI card
Start PC and advise.

As your network appears to be Intel rellated, try this link to download latest network drivers. Only those applicable to your unit will be installed

http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect