Windows 7 Loses Internet Connection but not Network Connection.

I encountered an issue similar to the OP's situation after installing Windows 7 Ultimate x86--loss of internet connection, but intact network connection (wireless).  At first I noticed no problems whatsoever; it wasn't until I set up uTorrent several weeks later that things began to go awry.  My internet connection would fail at seemingly random intervals, anywhere from one minute to an hour or more apart.  These issues did not affect a Macbook, and had never manifested themselves under XP or Vista, both of which had more or less perfect wireless connections under two different sets of wireless adapter/router.  Switch over to XP, the problem disappears.

I initially investigated the issue as though uTorrent was the root cause, finding what seemed like likely culprits and settings "fixes."  None of them worked, and I set up Bittorrent instead.  For a day or two I noticed no problems, then they started up again.  I tried disabling various programs like Windows Firewall, Comodo Firewall, PeerBlock, to no avail. 

Then I found this page, and installed the memory leak hotfix 979223.  Hotfix?  More like notfix.  After sifting through other hotfixes, I began rechecking drivers.  I had assumed the only driver that mattered would be the Netgear WNDA3100v1 adapter, which was current, and the Netgear WNDR3300 firmware, which is also current.  The onboard Realtek network adapter drivers installed by 7 were old; I updated them.  For the last two days, I have seen absolutely no connection failures at all, with heavy Torrenting.  Now, just as I go to write this, they have returned.  In five minutes, I've watched the connection fail three times.

This is kind of totally ridiculous, no?  I've already reverted to XP after being patient with Vista and continually finding it clunky and somehow "off."  Reverting again will be gigantically funny, like letting two new cars sit in the driveway because they aren't as reliable or enjoyable as the decade-old model.  I like 7, I really do.  But this is basic functionality here, and it's basically not functioning.

Next steps are: replace router firmware with DD.WRT and pray to Atheisma, goddess of abandoning all hope.

Brian,

It's been three days now since I've installed the hotfix on my Win 7 x64 machine and I haven't lost internet connectivity yet.  I had one glitch with a Winamp stream, but that could have been just a glitch on the server end.  I've been using my machine very heavily also, doing the things that would almost guaranty I'd need to reboot to re-establish my internet connection.  So far, it's been smooth sailing.  I'm looking forward to your results after applying the hotfix.  I know how you feel, just waiting for the issue to raise its ugly head again...  :)  So far though, it's working - for me anyways.  Good luck!

+3 to the above.  We have 3 systems that are running Windows 7 x64 that are doing the same thing.  We have tried all the suggestions in this thread as well as many others with the exception of the Hotfix.  I am testing after the hotfix applicaiton, but am not too excited it will work.  We have three systems - one with Mcafee AV, one with Microsoft Security Essentials, and one with no AV.  They are all fresh loads and are up to date with MS Updages.

Tested 32 bit Windows 7 system and have no problems whatsoever.  These systems run just fine with XP or Vista on them, we only started having this problem after updating these systems to x64 Windows 7.  Server 2003, Linux, Unix, and Mac systems all run just fine.  They are varying hardware with one being just a couple months old and another being a couple years old.  They will stay connected to the network, but will start losing packets to the internet. 

Major Points:

1.  Running continous ping from all the problematic systems we lose connection to the internet at different times (it is not at the same time) for a series of anywhere from 4-10 packets occurring anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours between occurrences.  Now we are also running continous pings from the same system to a server in our network as well as the default gateway which is a Netgear FVX538 Firewall.  When the internet pings drop so do pings to the firewall, but pings to other devices on the network still work without a hitch.

2.  Replace firewall (Twice Now) just to be sure it was not the issue. 

3.  No other systems in the office except the x64 Windows 7 systems have this problem.

4.  The Windows x64 all do the same thing - but they do not drop at the same time.

5.  All systems are plugged into the same 48 port switch which is connected to the firewall.  Tried swapping ports with one of the other devices not having problems.  The problem follows the device no matter which port we use.

6.  Set manually network settings - still no change.  Did all recommendations in this thread - still no change.

7.  32 bit Windows 7 system connected to the same line as one of the x64 boxes - no drops at all.

Now the very interesting part:

1.  If you connect the x64 system to the Internet router directly - no drops.

2.  Reconnect to the firewall - drops start again.

3.  All systems in the office connect through the firewall and only the x64 windows 7 have this problem.

Additional Thoughts:

There is something in the the Netgear Firewall causing this probem - BUT - we can connect the very same firewall in a different location to systems with x64 windows and have no problems with it - so it doesn't seem like it is the firewall.  At the same time it seems it is the firewall because the x64 systems can be connected to the internet router and not experience any problems - BUT - no other systems have this problem so it doesn't seem like it is the firewall.

Please help!!!  Any thoughts appreciated.  Head is now spinning!