Get “Connection Interrupted†msg @ same locations in certain websites

SYMPTOMS:

a) Over the last several weeks I have consistently been getting the following error message at certain points within some websites when using FireFox 3.0.3:

“Connection Interrupted
The connection to the server was reset while the page was loading.
The network link was interrupted while negotiating a connection. Please try again.â€

b) When using Internet Explorer 6.0 I get the following error message at the same location FireFox gives its error:

“The page cannot be displayed
The page you are looking for is currently unavailable. The Web site might be experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your browser settings "¦â€

c) I also commonly receive a "Bad Request" error message in FireFox and must go back a page and re-issue the command one to three more times before I can get past the error.

d) Previously everything worked and was able to connect to the same sites without a problem. Unfortunately, I do not know what may have changed or what triggered this problem.

MY HARDWARE & SOFTWARE DETAILS:

a) AT&T (SBC) DSL in a home office environment
b) Netgear RangeMax Wireless router
c) Two-year-old Sony Vaio laptop running fully patched/current service pack Windows XP Professional
d) Up to date Norton 360 anti-virus
e) Up to date Paraeto Logic anti-spyware
f) Java 6, update 7
g) Firefox 3.0.3 & IE as mentioned in the SYMPTOMS section

WHAT I HAVE DONE TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM:

a) The problem ALWAYS occurs when I click on "search" on Angieslist.com. To see if the problem is network or system related, I fired up the Netgear router log and navigated to the point in the Angieslist site where I click on the "Search" button. Next, I cleared the Netgear log and then clicked on the Angieslist search button. I then refreshed the log and interestingly, the log registered NO TRAFFIC AT ALL. This leads me to think that the problem is with my PC hardware or software as my search request is not even reaching my router. Before troubleshooting the problem, I thought that it was a problem only with Angieslist.com. However, yesterday I tried to apply for a job and when I hit the send button after filling out a long form, WHAMO! The same "Connection Interrupted" message appeared. I’m unemployed and can’t even apply for a job!
b) I cleared out all my cookies and ran virus & spyware scans
c) I cleaned up my hard drive and defragged it
d) I cleaned up my registry with Reg Cure
e) I ran a CHKDSK and found zero files in bad sectors
f) I booted up in SAFEMODE and got the same error messages
g) I tried to connect wirelessly and wired and it makes no difference.
h) I temporarily turned off the Norton firewall but it made no difference
i) I checked that the Windows firewall is OFF. It is.
j) I cycled power on the router & DSL modem to no avail.
k) I tested java and it is operating properly according to this site: http://www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.xml?ff3

If anyone can figure this one out, it would make my week!

UPDATE: I also recently got the "Connection Interrupted" message when I tried to upload a jpg to a site for an Avatar.

Thank you,
Alex

 

TonyT, thanks for the reply,

I think I figured out the problem. A few weeks ago I was experimenting with content filtering on my Netgear RangeMax Wireless router WNR834M. When you turn on content filtering on this router it also turns up the router log. My router was in keyword blocking mode with NO keywords blocked.

After receiving your email, I was further testing my theory that the search request was getting stepped on higher in the protocol stack and therefore not even reaching my router (see item "a" in my troubleshooting list in my original post for more info). For the heck of it, I decided to change keyword blocking from "always" to "never." THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM! I proved it several times by cycling back and forth from "always" to "never" and the "Connection Interrupted" error always returned with "always" clicked.

Bottom line, I will never say never again with my Netgear Router.