Router Problems

[laawaaris]

Perhaps I should post this on a tech forum, but people here seem to be pretty advanced so I will go ahead and ask.

I have three computers that all share the same internet connection. I have a Siemens DSL modem that feeds into a D-Link Wireless Router. The router is a bit old - almost 3-4 years old, but the modem is only 2 years old at the most.

Up until recently, the internet has worked just fine. 2 Computers are hard-wired through ethernet cables, and the third is setup to receive the wireless connection.

Lately, however all 3 computers have been unable to connect to the internet. I have tried to reset the modem and the router, but still the connections do not come online - even though all lights are blinking on the modem and router.

When I bypass the router entirely, and just connect any of the 3 computers directly to the modem directly, there are no problems. The connection comes online instantly and I can surf the net.

Because of this I am thinking the router has gone sour - so I am thinking to buy a new router to solve the problem.

But I wanted to make sure - before I spend money on a new router - could something else be the problem. Is there something I should try or that I am missing in the equation?

[Supermanny]

Hard to tell without looking at the configuration.

Have you recenlty moved any equipment around or changed any cables?

Can you access the router setup screen from any of the computers?

[Concisus Cognatus]

Check the router logs where there should be information about failed connection attempts.

Check the cable between the router and modem for physical damage.

Thinking back to when this problem first started, was there any changes made on your network? New software or hardware added into the mix, cables changed?

What are the modem and router models numbers? There may be information on the net that may provide clues as to hardware issues with either of them.

My feeling is, either the router has flopped or the link between the modem and router is bad.

I've used the same D-Link router (read: OLD) on my network since the availability of DSL in my neighborhood, I tend to believe the problem will be the link between the two.

[Rson]

Check DHCP on the Router. Set it for AUTO and you might be on your way.

Better yet, routers are only like 20-30 dollars....is it even worth the time to fix it?

[photosteve]

Do all the above and check for updated firmware also. but it be simple as a cat 5 cord from the rtr to the modem.



PhotoSteve

[GypsyHighSide]

Have you checked the router software to makre sure the username and password for the modem are correct? If all else fails, do a hard reset and wipe the router's memory clean. Then reconfigure your network. If that doesn't work, I think your router may have given up the ghost.

Rob

[ngoduyviet]

Bobby,

Router's probably dead, try all the above if nothing works, here's a couple of solutions for you:
$5, $10.

Originally Posted by Rson

Check DHCP on the Router. Set it for AUTO and you might be on your way.

Better yet, routers are only like 20-30 dollars....is it even worth the time to fix it?

LOL so true. I went through quite a few routers myself. Now I'm doing N, much better.

[laawaaris]

i have to double check all the things you guys have mentioned

it is probably NOT the cat5/ethernet cord, because i have been flipping my cords around since the router incident happened and it still behaves the same

thanks for the tips ... in the end i may just end up getting a new one if all indications point to it ...

[Concisus Cognatus]

Bobby is the original cable linking the router and modem, a pass-through or cross-over?

The reason I ask is, if it's a cross-over and you tried some of the other cables, they most likely are pass-through and would not work if a cross-over is needed.

[gmarblestone]

IF WINDOWS

make sure the ip address is being given too.
do a start run and type cmd
then ipconfig /renew
if it gets something then your router is at least giving you an address.

routers do die... and they are super cheap now

If you get a wireless router i recommend a buffalo router. they are better quality than linksys and usually cheaper.

G

[AndrewCCM]

Get you an old Linksys WRT54G router and then grab the open source firmware from http://www.dd-wrt.com

This firmware works great. Opens up all kinds of new/expanded features and is rock solid. Matter a fact, it brought mine back from the dead and it hasn't lost connection once since moving over to it.

Just a thought.

Andrew

[Ahh!]

Bobby, how coincidental...

I had an unexplained outage today. Internet stops working. Plug in direct to Seimans, works fine. Replace router with another one, still doesn't work. Plug in old router, no go. Plug in direct, working. (All this while on the phone at the DSL provider, then the router tech support). I get off the phone and do factory resets to both, nope. Scrating my head, my wife tries her home page, it comes up. So I try mine, yup. Outage was from sometime Thursday night to about 1pm yesterday. No problems since. I don't think it was the router's fault...and they are both the same brand (Belkin) and model so I have a spare for the house that I can use at hotels.

Oh, BTW: after a year of free tech support on my Netgear router, it's pay as you go or email only. However, Belkin has full phone support. I don't buy Netgear anymore. It is usually more expensive anyway or at least not on sale as often when I am looking for gear.

[laawaaris]

thanks for all the help guys ... after some investigation it turns out one of my cords was not working the right way

a quick visit to fry's and only $4 later, i am back up and running with all the internet passing through !!!

thanks again!

[studiocygnet]

I saw the title of your thread and thought you were doing some woodworking

[krodgers]

I ran into a problem simlar to this a month or 2 back, it turned out my service upgraded some of their systems and it screwed up my account. They had to go in and do some tweaking to my service to allow me service (even down to what router I was using to for it to work again. try calling them and see if problem is on their end.