258 Posts

April 14th, 2020 14:00

@WestCoastD 

I'm not sure if this is a proper solution?

I don't think so.  You shouldn't have to mess with those settings.  I'd look elsewhere.

Things to try:

o  Test the PC with a different LAN cable.

o  Test the PC wired to a different LAN port on the router.

o  Test the PC wired to the router's WAN cable to bypass the router.

o  Test the PC wireless to a router WLAN.

o  Test the PC with a different router.

GK

42 Posts

April 14th, 2020 15:00

Thanks for your response.

Yeah, this new XPS 8930 desktop machine replaced an (8 year old) Optiplex 390 desktop machine. We never experienced this erratic type internet operation (random drop-outs) using the Optiplex machine, and it used the very same ethernet cable, connected directly to the same router input.

Moreover, my Alienware Aurora R7 desktop machine is connected (directly) to the same router, it never exhibits this type of erratic internet drop-out behavior.

I have no patience for this type of behavior, or possible system operation failure, from a brand-new machine. I'm apt to contact Dell customer service.

But I will experiment with swapping-out ethernet cable, also try different port. The problem (or failure) really should'nt be any more complicated than that. If it is, then I wish to request a new replacement machine or model. This is my first XPS system, I've only owned Alienware and Optiplex desktop machines prior.

I am using the following:                                                                                                                                        NetGear Nighthawk X10 AD7200 router                                                                                                                  Arris TM1602 Modem (Spectrum supplied)

 

Regards,

Dave

10 Elder

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45.2K Posts

April 14th, 2020 15:00

I have an XPS 8930 (Nov'19) with no Ethernet issues at all. But I've unchecked that "Allow PC to turn off..." for the NIC and I also have the latest Ethernet driver. (See my previous post.)

 

10 Elder

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45.2K Posts

April 14th, 2020 15:00

@WestCoastD  - That sounds like one of my posts...

Did you check the settings for your Ethernet adapter in Device Manager to make sure the "Allow PC to turn off.." box is not checked for this adapter?

What version of the Ethernet driver do you have installed? The latest version is 2.2.1408, A18. If you don't have this version, try updating the driver...

EDIT: And update the rest of the drivers, eg Intel Chipset, too. But I'd hold off on a BIOS update, at least for now.

9 Legend

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15.4K Posts

April 14th, 2020 16:00

Re: While working in (Chrome) browser I will experience random drop-out of internet connection, then seconds later, regain internet connection. 

your problem may or may not have anything to do XPS 8930.  I would also suspect ISP internet service glitches, which happens to me sometimes (Optimum).  First thing to try is to power down and restart modem/router.

then try a different computer such as laptop and connect the same Ethernet cable to it and use chrome again.  If over 2-3 days absolutely no drop out and then switching back to 8930 you start getting drop out pretty soon, then you can say it is the 8930 acting up.

42 Posts

April 14th, 2020 16:00

Thank you

Yeah, this new XPS 8930 desktop machine replaced an (8 year old) Optiplex 390 desktop machine. We never experienced this erratic type internet operation (random drop-outs) using the Optiplex machine, and it used the very same ethernet cable, connected directly to the same router input.

Moreover, my Alienware Aurora R7 desktop machine is connected (directly) to the same router, it never exhibits this type of erratic internet drop-out behavior.

42 Posts

April 14th, 2020 19:00

Thank you

Did you check the settings for your Ethernet adapter in Device Manager to make sure the "Allow PC to turn off.." box is not checked for this adapter? << >>

What version of the Ethernet driver do you have installed? The latest version is 2.2.1408, A18. If you don't have this version, try updating the driver...  << >>

update the rest of the drivers, eg Intel Chipset, too. <<>>

 

10 Elder

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45.2K Posts

April 14th, 2020 19:00

@WestCoastD 

  • What about the Power setting changes and driver update I recommended...??
  • Try disabling SupportAssist Remediation Service using Start>Run> services.msc and then rebooting
  • If Killer Control Panel is running, disable it on the Startup tab in Task Manager and then reboot.
  • And have you tried a different browser?

EDIT: And if you have SmartByte software running on your XPS 8930 (mine didn't come with it installed), disable that too.

9 Legend

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15.4K Posts

April 14th, 2020 19:00

Re: my Alienware Aurora R7 desktop machine is connected (directly) to the same router, it never exhibits this type of erratic internet drop-out behavior.

that is indeed a strong evidence against my suspicion. just to play the devil's advocate, is it possible that the router dynamic IP assignment to your 8930 is not stable?  How many devices including wired and wireless are connected to the router at the same time?  I suggest swap the direct Ethernet cable connection ports on your router for R7 and 8930.

258 Posts

April 15th, 2020 06:00

@RoHe 

  • Try disabling SupportAssist Remediation Service using Start>Run> services.msc and then rebooting
  • If Killer Control Panel is running, disable it on the Startup tab in Task Manager and then reboot.

I removed these regardless.  They are both unnecessary.  The Killer Control Center performs QoS bandwidth management at the desktop... I don't know anyone who who needs to allocate bandwidth for their new XPS desktop activities:
https://www.dell.com/community/XPS-Desktops/Uninstalling-Dell-Update-for-Windows-10-using-Revo-Uninstaller/m-p/7517087/highlight/true#M46908

My new XPS 8930 began having trouble resolving browser activity, aka "Internet Drop-Out", whatever that can mean.  I checked over the XPS networking devices and drivers, re-installing them again.  But then my router fully died a few days later, thankfully... now that's an "Internet Drop-Out".  I redeployed my AiMesh node to be the site router and was up again in about 20 minutes.  And my browser stopped having "Internet Drop-Outs".  Asus replaced the router under warranty... took 10 days.  Problem solved.

OP needs to work his problem or complain to Dell about it.  Maybe he is just experiencing the micro-freezes.

GK

2 Intern

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358 Posts

April 15th, 2020 07:00

Hi, @RoHe 

 

[Quote] "What version of the Ethernet driver do you have installed? The latest version is 2.2.1408, A18. If you don't have this version, try updating the driver..." [/Quote].

Yes I tried that - unfortunately, Windows Update decided that it should be taken back to the old version!!

Please see:- https://www.dell.com/community/XPS-Desktops/XPS-8930-Network-Drivers/m-p/7534276#M47532

 

10 Elder

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45.2K Posts

April 15th, 2020 11:00

@WestCoastD  - Check those power settings and update the drivers. Then disable SupportAssist Remediation Service in services.msc ASAP. The Remediation Service can cause momentary freezes on the XPS 8930, so it's possible it's what's causing your Ethernet to drop out. NOTE: Dell Update and SupportAssist will stop working if you disable that service. But that's ok, you can always check the Support page for driver updates for your Service Tag manually, which is what I do.

@John-Jay- I installed latest version of the Killer Ethernet driver on my XPS 8930 and Windows Update hasn't reverted it.  So how do you know yours got reverted? Keep in mind that Killer Ethernet is just a Rivet Networks  overlay on top of the NIC driver. So if the Killer overlay got updated around an older driver, you may still see an older date reported.

2 Intern

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358 Posts

April 15th, 2020 23:00

[Quote] "@John-Jay- I installed latest version of the Killer Ethernet driver on my XPS 8930 and Windows Update hasn't reverted it.  So how do you know yours got reverted? Keep in mind that Killer Ethernet is just a Rivet Networks  overlay on top of the NIC driver. So if the Killer overlay got updated around an older driver, you may still see an older date reported." [/Quote]

0n the 7th April, I went to the Dell Web-Site & noted that there were Updates for both the Ethernet & WiFi Network Cards (according to the Web-Site, with Release Dates of 2nd March 2020) & I duly updated them - I then checked that the Drivers had been updated (can't recall the version, but it was no longer the "Rivet" version)!

 

I keep the "Security & Maintenance" Monitor running in the background & it logs, for 7th April it confirms that  BOTH these Drivers were Updated. Subsequently, on 9th March, it was Auto-Updated by Microsoft! Following that, I notice that my Ethernet Driver is now:- "Rivet 9.0.0.49, dtd 20th Sept 2018".

 

Certainly, I do NOT see the specific Ethernet Version that you are recommending!

 

3 Posts

June 17th, 2020 10:00

Buy a USB adapter for your Ethernet plug--$20 at Best Buy.  This solved the problem for me.  My diagnosis is that the Ethernet outlet at the back of the computer is faulty.  

3 Posts

June 17th, 2020 11:00

@WestCoastD  My XPS 8930 was also dropping its internet connection.  In addition, whenever I was online, the rest of the house experienced internet problems.  So using a USB port rather than the Ethernet port to connect to the Internet was my solution via an adapter available at Best Buy for $20.

Here’s the backstory if you’re interested:  I called Dell Tech Support and gave them control of my computer.  We worked for 5 or 6 hours as the connection continued to drop.  Dell Diagnostics could not find the problem.  All of the following were checked:  the driver, the Ethernet cable, the “sleep” settings,  McAfee interference, my internet provider was not dropping the connection (although I did upgrade the router),  BIOS did not need updating.  Despite the tech claiming that it was a hardware problem, he talked me into reformatting my computer.  Finally, after a 2-1/2 day struggle, a technician was sent out to replace my motherboard and video card.  That didn’t work!  I decided to hook up my laptop to the same connection which was the inspiration for connecting via a USB port.  Never connected the laptop, because the USB connection on the XPS 8930 solved the problem!

I am still under warranty, so have scheduled another service appointment.  I was told that the Ethernet outlet is integrated into the motherboard.  I don’t recall that being the case on the last repair, but I will be more attentive this time.  Good luck!

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