In the last 2 days my computer started giving me some issues. It started to slow down, and it began not "streaming", I guess would be the proper term for it. I am not the most literate with computers, so bear with me please.
Anyways, the system is a Dell XPS 400, running XP.

Videos on youtube and other sites will not play, pandora does not play music without freezing for 10 seconds then plays for 2 and freezes for 10 more. Same with Netflix Instant que, it plays and freezes if it can even get loaded up. Those 3 sites are particularly slow too.

Netflix brings up a message saying something about Microsoft Silverlight issue. It recomends un-installing and re-installing to help resolve the issue, but that did not work. When I was in the "add or remove programs" window, it said silverlight had not been used since 2010, so I doubt that is even the issue.

Earlier today I just did a factory restore, thinking that everything would be reset to working order, but that failed me as well. After the restore, I downloaded Adobe Flash 11.1.102.60.

I am not getting any Javscript error messages. or anything like that, just the streaming sites like youtube and netflix, pandora, etc do not work...They display that circle loading display that just kinda chases its tail.

Pandora gives me the loading circle and this , message// An error prevented this operation: timeout Retry
Netflix says, Player error, an unknown error has occured.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Ziners!

 

Reboot your modem and router.

 

Save all your data and format then Install Windows 7

XP is shit

Oh and there is a tech forum

 

Also need specs

How much RAM? Processor speed?

Right Click on the My Computer Icon and choose Proerties. This will tell you Processor and RAM installed

 

damn that an old computer. Pentium 4? Did anyone install or uninstall something? Could be that the ethernet card is dead. Unless your using it now to post on AZ. If you have 300 bucks. save all your documents and trash the comp. Fry's electron has some on sale now.

 

stop watching porn in internet explorer

 

This works for me every time if it's just a streaming issue. At worst, I restart my computer too.

 

So all other sites work fine except for those streaming sites you listed?

Is it still running slow even when not streaming after the factory restore?

 

Scotty, I need warp speed in three minutes or we're all dead!

 

 

Pentium D, 2.8 Ghz... 2GB RAM...not exactly a powerhouse but should def stream

Make sure your flash is actually upgraded. Browser updated.

The reason why when you reboot your hardware (pc, modem, router) it begins to work again is because it clears the pings....what this means...you hit refresh too many times, your router and modem then tell you to eff off... it's a lag issue between all of the components... eventually it overflows.

Solution? Put Linux on this pc or invest into a new one. Current system will run Windows 7, but it will totally suck.

 

I will try this, if I can figure it out.

... l0l, thanks Phee.

Correct. All other sites work fine and fast except the streaming sites. And no, after the restore things are going faster but streaming sites still do not work.

Those specs are correct. And I am going to try to reboot modem and router, now lets see if I can figure it out.


Thanks for the help to everyone that chimed in!

 

Ok, so I googled how to reboot modem and router and most said to take these steps...

Turn computer off, wait one minute, unplug router, wait one minute, unplug modem, wait 3 minutes...
Modem back on, wait one minute, router, wait one minute, computer...

I did this twice and it did not help much... Any other ideas to try?

 

what browser are you using? If IE (Internet Explorer), download Chrome and see how that works.

 

Firefox.

 

When you say you "did a factory restore" you mean that you reinstalled windows using the restore disc from the manufacturer? So all programs had to be reinstalled?

try running chkdsk, you hard drive could be failing. right click on your c drive>> properties >> tools >> error checking (it should tell you that it will schedule to run on reboot, reboot your computer).

Do you have another computer in your house that you can use to see if it's your network /modem or the computer itself? $50 routers normally fail after a few years of continuous use.

oh and maybe you should call paypal.

 

Update your video drivers.

 

Go to Java.com and install the latest version of Java (6.31). (Uncheck the Ask Toolbar box).

Then, go to control panel/add remove programs and uninstall any other version of java (leave 6.31).

It sounds like you have the latest Flash version, but you can go to Adobe.com and download it again to be sure (be sure to uncheck the box that installs Macafee if you don't want Macaffe)

Restart the computer and then check streaming. If still a problem, update your drivers for your wireless adapter (or ethernet adapter, as applicable):

Start button, Right click on My Computer/properties. Hardware tab. Select device manager. Scroll down a little more than halfway and expand "network adapters". Right click on the appropriate adapter, choose "update driver". Choose "always use windows update". If there is an update, you may have to reboot.

 

no uninstall java, it's security nightmare and is not needed at all to stream videos. You browser still supports javascript without java installed.

 

get a big hammer, go wild man

The issue here is still the same - stream is being rejected...out of total curiosity, can you go into Safe Mode? (Restart PC, keep hitting F8).. Select Safe Mode with Networking...

Open a browser give it ago.. and I hope by now you've tried multiple browsers... Chrome, Firefox, IE... Let me know the prognosis, basically Im trying to rule out software issue.

Also, do the following, click Start, in Run, type cmd, a black screen will open, in there type ipconfig /flushdns (this will remove all precached address stored, we want your system to learn all over again)
restart your system into regular mode.

 

Link?

 

Paypal told me to eff off. l0l

I did the factory restore, upon boot up I think it was shift F11, restore to original settings... It loses all memory, programs, just as it came brand new.

How do I do this?



I "updated driver" and still streaming doesn't work..

I've tried Firefox and IE...I also did the ipconfig in the black screen, I'm still have the issues.

 

Ok do a ping test. In order to ping on windows open a command prompt (that same black window you did the ipconfig) and type "ping www.youtube.com -n 100" without the quotes and it will send 100 ping requests.

When it's finished it will give you results of how many packets were Sent, Receied and Lost and the % lost, post back those results. It should be 100% received anything less is cause for concern.

 

Try the same way you updated your network adapter, but you would look under display adapters.

 

I did this last night, fell asleep while waiting for it to finish, but this morning everything is up and running problem free!

Thank you to EVERYONE who helped, I really appreciate it.

 

^Well your drive is probably dying so you may want to look into replacing it.

 

^

 

Im assuming the hard drive C?

How much do they usually go for?

 

seeing that it's a P4 it's probably a PATA drive..even if it's one of those early SATA models its no more than 50 or so bucks for a decent sized one.

I honestly wouldnt bother fixing something that old though. You're better off upgrading to a new(er) computer. Plus with the new drive you lose your "factory restore" unless the computer came with discs.

a new computer would solve all of your problems :P

one thing to try to isolate it from your possible network problems is to go to a starbucks or mickey d's and use their free wifi. If the same still occurs with your streaming sites then the problem lies with the computer. If it works on different networks than your own you have issues with your network or ISP.