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Solve : Wireless Router Conks Out at Random?

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Hey, folks.

I have a Linksys wireless router that's about two years old.

Lately, I find that my connection just, well, drops. Once or twice a day.

If I hover my cursor over the little wireless icon in the tray, it shows I'm still connected, and I still GET my four green bars, but if I try to ping the router - or anything else on the network - it times out.

If I unplug the router and plug it right back in, 99 percent of the time, all is well. (That is, without re-setting my DSL modem).

So my question is, is it just, for a lack of a better word, "worn out"? I have recently moved - could THAT be part of the problem? I would doubt that, as it's NEW wiring, and the only other things on the circuit are a laptop, the DSL modem, and the printer.

I guess the bottom line is, I'll buy a new router if I NEED to. Is there any reason to believe one way or another that will fix this problem?

Thanks,

If you know all the settings in the router setup try hitting the reset button & reconfigure it. Also might check the Linksys site for firmware updates and "known problems" with your particular model.

Personally, I'm partial to Netgear hardware. I've replaced many Linksys routers for various reasons and found that Netgear, again my own experience, seems to work very well.

The prices is competitive with other brands out there and you can always take it back if the above suggestion(s) work.

Alan <><
ale gave you very good suggestions...i would try them all.
As far as Lynksys routers they are pretty rugged and reliable as well.
What caught my eye is you stated you recently moved...so your local enviornment has now changed. Try relocating any electronic devices that are near your machine including but not limited to cordless phones STEREO equipment TV's etc. to different locations and see if this solves your dilemna.

patio. 8-)Yeah, I had checked the firmware and it hasn't been updated since like April 05.

Where I USED to live, I had the DSL modem, printer, and router all in one room, and the machines in another. Now they are all in the same room. No cordless phones on the floor. No teevee either.Quote

Yeah, I had checked the firmware and it hasn't been updated since like April 05.
Meaning LINKSYS hasn't updated it since April 05.

As I said, there's nothing on the circuit, nothing else in the room that's on.

Even the physical connection (running a CAT5 from machine to back of router) conks out.

I presume it's the router and not the DSL connection.

Do they "just GO bad"?

I like - or rather likeD - the Linksys. How's the range on Netgear?

Staples sells a Belkin - how're they?

Does the "casual" internet user REALLY see a difference between brands? I'm not landing the Space Shuttle or anything...

Thanks!
I'd try it with another cable before spending the bread on a new router...

patio. 8-)Power cable?

Or CAT-5 cable? (Presumably from DSL modem to router)?CAT-5Will try, but curious as to the logic behind that.

The connection between the DSL modem and the router seems to be OK.

I guess really it's a breakdown of the DHCP, as my link lights are all still on, I just can't communicate data back and forth from the router to the machines. I can't ping, etc. So it appears that the DSL is still OK, and still going TO the router... And the router is still broadcasting SOMETHING on Channel 6, but it's not anything the two computers or print server can use.

Hmph!Reset the router to the default settings and double check all the machine settings..."Of course I've tried soapy water!!!!"

I had done that reset, to no avail.

I tried a Netgear router, didn't love it, and thought I was having problems with my DSL modem (don't ask), so I bought an all-in-one DSL Wireless gateway (an Actiontec).

While it hasn't shut down on me, I have yet to get my wireless print server to speak to it. I have gone back to the beginning several times, to no avail. And I can't ping the other computer on the network, either. Have confirmed that both have same Workgroup name, same gateway, and are both DHCP-enabled.

An hour before, on the Linksys router, they were "talking" to each other... Now, nothin'.

Yikes!


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