bsnl broadband: Strange problems while browsing after changing modem

I have a 256kbps unlimited connection. Day before yesterday, I got my older modem replaced by a wireless modem (router?) - a Nokia Siemens Networks Residential Router 1600. But it was not working. So yesterday, a guy from my ISP came and reconfigured the router. He also reconfigured it so that as soon as the OS (XP Professional 32 bit) boots, the internet is connected. Earlier, we used to connect via the WAN-miniport using the 'connect to' option. I don't know what changes he made.Now, the internet is working fine for browsing and downloading, but there are some really strange problems. The first thing I noticed was that my Facebook seems to be completely malfunctioning. I will note it in points (I use Firefox 3.5 and IE8):-Using Firefox, FB opens fine, but I can't like a post, comment on a post, or even write on the wall. I can't even chat there. In fact, I can't do anything except browse. I removed an application (Zynga Poker, because it wasn't working) and it went fine, but when I tried to add it back, nothing happens. In fact, I can't even change any settings! I just click a button or link, and I see waiting/transferring, but nothing actually happens.-This made me try IE8. Well, the normal FB works fine, ie i can comment, post and chat now, but it won't add most applications without a lot of trouble. This could be a problem from FB's end, but I doubt that. I can also change the settings without any hassle!-Finally I managed to re-add both Farmville and Poker. Farmville loads and runs fine, but Poker just won't load. It doesn't even go to the point where it mentions flash player. This happens both in Firefox and IE.-Also, some forums are giving me a problem with editing my posts including here. As soon as I try to post, it just hangs in there saying 'loading'. This has happened 100% of the time here and many times in other forums.-I shut down the firewall completely. Maybe that has something to do with my being able to finally post this.All this making me mad! Please help 😢I use AVG 9 free, Spybot S&D and Sygate personal firewall for protection.If you need any more information, please say so. Also, I re-installed the OS a few days ago, so the likelyhood of a virus is extremely low.EDIT: It is definitely the firewall, because now I can post everywhere and even start Poker!But I need the firewall. Any idea how to reset it completely. That BSNL guy must have ignored the firewall when it notified him about something and caused this.EDIT 2: I must clarify that I couldn't even post or PM here before shutting down the firewall, although I could do some of it in other forums.

event1: date : ????
I re-installed the OS a few days ago

Updates Sp2 or sp3 ?

event 2 : Date ????? old modem make model ?
all websites Facebook etc function Ok

event 3:November 11th new modem
Day before yesterday, I got my older modem replaced by a wireless modem (router?) - a Nokia Siemens Networks Residential Router 1600

First aid :
1.You may have to change the MTU in the modem's WAN page where
your userID and password are entered. TRY/check 1492.

2.
Use add On IEView and CoralIETAB Check Java/Javascript enabled.
Update FF Latest 3.5.1
3.
Feedback.

4.your modem may be similar to WA3002-g4
compare Hardware board and menu pages.
please report differences if any.
Reference :
https://broadband.forum/bsnl-broadband/50052-utstar-wa3002-g4-vade-mecum-quick-reference/#post331246

@admin
please make the above post "Sticky"

I don't have time right now, but I will definitely reply to above post tomorrow.Please also note the last edit in the OP.

this is common. you can configure even the other modem URT200 or something also in this way where it automatically gets connected as soon as you ON it.@esbebe. I think admin has run out of gums :grin:

event1: date : ????

Updates Sp2 or sp3 ?

event 2 : Date ????? old modem make model ?
all websites Facebook etc function Ok

event 3:November 11th new modem


First aid :
1.You may have to change the MTU in the modem's WAN page where
your userID and password are entered. TRY/check 1492.

2.
Use add On IEView and CoralIETAB Check Java/Javascript enabled.
Update FF Latest 3.5.1
3.
Feedback.

4.your modem may be similar to WA3002-g4
compare Hardware board and menu pages.
please report differences if any.
Reference :
https://broadband.forum/bsnl-broadband/50052-utstar-wa3002-g4-vade-mecum-quick-reference/#post331246

@admin
please make the above post \"Sticky\"

Thanks for your detailed reply. Now it has been confirmed that the problem was solely due to the Sygate Personal Firewall. I have used that firewall for the last 3 years, so I don't know how it happened, but I think that when the BSNL guy was configuring the router, he must have ignored the firewall or clicked a wrong option. Shutting down the firewall completely has solved the problem completely. I am using Win Firewall for now. Removing and resetting all rules and exceptions did not help.

I have Win XP Pro SP2, re-installed about 7 days ago.

Old modem was Siemens C2110, I think. When the the modem was changed, it could not connect to the internet, so the guy from BSNL came.

From the pictures given in your link, I am quite sure that I have a WA3002-g4.

Again, thanks for your help. If you have any ideas on how I can get my firewall working again, please tell me. Do I really need that firewall?

@Ghatoch - Yes, but he also made some changes so that both my desktop and laptop could remain connected at the same time 🙂

i will take a wild guess .. i think your connection was changed from Bridged to PPPoE type .. Sygate Firewall is AFTER the packets have reached your PC not before .. configuring the router [ BSNL guy ] cannot misconfigure the Sygate Firewall .. in a normal modem connection through USB or RJ 45 the cure will have been simple .. type 192.168.1.1 in browser to open the modem .. name admin password admin .. reset to default .. after that happens save close come out and again go through admin admin steps set VPI VCI 0 and 35 next page mode Bridge save and exit .. restart PC and modem and log in via XPs dial up client [ as you did before ] ..i am not very sure if these same steps can be done with wireless router .. now some more points even if your doubts are resolved .. if you are using a wireless modem make sure you change modem password and that it is not on PPPoE [ always on ] connection .. [ the last thing you should do with a wireless setup is keep BSNL default passwords ] .. any person with a one day experience of hacking could take some serious bandwidth off you [ if he is nearby ] and you will never be able to prevent it .. how exactly do you know your connection is working ok now ? maybe the hacker was setting up his system causing you to have problems .. now that he has succeeded you do not have the problems anymore .. you are a confirmed host and he is a confirmed parasite .. sorry to make you panic .. but if you opt for wireless setup you need to have some idea of how to protect yourself first .. unless you can set up your own wireless system you should not use it [ if you do not know how to set it up then you also do not know how to protect yourself ] .. if BSNL guy [ or any other ISP guy ] is setting up your WLAN router .. it is not a safe scenario .. for your own safety only heed my words .. you do not want anyone downloading child porn using your connection .. [ FBI cannot pursue illegal download of torrents but Interpol sure targets download of child porn or visiting child porn sites ]

I know it was the firewall because when I restart the firewall, the problem starts again. As soon as I close it, everything's fine.The last post has actually made me think again. I am not too worried about someone leaching my bandwidth because it is unlimited and I will notice it if anyone was leaching while I am using it (unless they somehow manage to restrict their data transfer to 2-4 KB/s). But the point about someone else using it for illegal purposes is defnitely a scary one.How do I secure it then? The reason why I asked him to make those changes was that I wanted both the desktop and the laptop to be able to be connected at the same time.For the time being, I can disable the wireless from 192.168.1.1 because the primary user is the desktop. But I need some way to add a password etc to secure the wireless connection. Any help on that would be really appreciated 🙂

i suggest you read up on Wifi , WLAN [ and Wifi security and WLAN security from Google search ]

Thanks for bringing the security issue to my notice - I have disabled the wireless capability and changed the Admin password while I read up on WIFI security 🙂