Internet access stops after 10 minutes, consistently upon enabling ESS firewall

Several days ago, I started having the following problem with Eset Smart Security 5 (latest v5 version, latest v5 updates, latest v5 virus signatures):

After 10 minutes, all access to outside websites no longer work until I disable Eset's firewall. Once I disable the firewall, internet access is restored. The 10 minute timeframe has been consistent and I can reproduce it without fail.

I have uninstalled Eset, ran the Eset cleaning/removal tool via Safe Mode, and every other solution I can think of, including running Microsoft's FixIt after Eset was uninstalled to ensure that Windows Firewall settings were set back to normal.

HOSTS file checks out fine.

I can confirm that this issue is specific to only this system. I am experiencing no such problems with my laptop nor my other desktop system (I purchased a 3-seat license of ESS).

There were NO new/recent software installations leading up to this issue appearing, but I did perform a system restore to a date previous to the problem appearing in order to try to rule out that, at least.

I even did a temporary export of this system's Eset settings to both my laptop and my other desktop system to see if I could reproduce the problem on those systems, but Eset continued to operate just as it always has on those systems, free and clear of any issues.

I imported the settings FROM each of the other two systems (using their settings before I tried importing this system's Eset settings into them) but the same issue: 10 minutes later, my internet connection fails and I get the yellow exclamation mark on my NIC icon in the icon bar (lower right) and I can't access anything outside of my LAN.

However, I AM still able to access all systems WITHIN my LAN, even with internet access stops after the 10 minute mark.

Very, VERY odd, and completely out-of-character for this software.

Suggestions? Because I'm pretty close to doing a system wipe and reinstalling Windows 7...

Thanks, in advance!
Timothy Kline / ENVISIONocity

 

Please enable logging of all blocked communinactions in the IDS setup, reproduce the issue and then post the relevant (recent) records from your firewall log here.