Random D/Cs

Allabaster · 08-31-2008, 01:53 PM

Hey all,

I've recently been experiencing a rash of apparently random disconnections from the internet.

Information I have to hand: ISP is Powerweb
Router is a Linksys WRT-G54
Modem is unknown
PC is homebuild running Q6600 Intel CPU non O/C, 4 Gigs of G.Skill RAM, BFG GeForce8800 OC Edition, 2 Seagate 250GB Drives with several partitions, Windows XP SP 3 and Windows Vista SP1 dual boot set up.

I have thus far tested it with two different wireless connections, one a Linksys USB NIC, the other a Gigabyte wireless PCI NIC.

Neither of them was able to hold a stable connection on either Vista or XP. I have confirmed that the correct drivers are installed, I have checked with my laptop to see if it can hold a stable connection, which it cannot either. I have consulted with the guy at the house in charge of the network, and he says that no one else has told him they had any trouble. There are 2 laptops and 2 desktops connected via wireless, and a third desktop connected via a hardline. There is a fourth desktop that is currently offline, but as of its last time being used, was able to hold a stable connection (it was where I nabbed the PCI NIC from.)

I've unplugged anything and everything in my room that I could confirm was broadcasting any kind of signal, including: Cordless phone, Bluetooth USB headset, moved all flourescent lamps away from the desk. I have tried power-cycling the router (working for a telecom, this is the first and most common suggestion I overhear the DSL guys suggest to our customers.), I have reloaded the .cfg file into the router, and thus far nothing has solved the issue.

As near as I can determine, the issue is occuring at the router or the modem. The router itself has a history of connection issues during any form of storm, with the more severe ones often killing the internet connection itself though the internal network stays up, and was always resolved by reloading the .cfg we have.

Does anyone have any thoughts as to what else I could attempt before I go about trying to negotiate replacing the router/modem?

As an aside, I have not yet had the opportunity to speak to the ISP tech support guys, due to a bizarre work schedule on my end.

Thanks for any help anyone can provide, I've tried everything I could think of or that I've been able to find online, and am reaching my wits end. The ISK in EVE won't farm themselves! :P

**johnwill** · 08-31-2008, 06:20 PM

How can the modem be unknown? Since you're getting random disconnects, I'd think that's a significant issue.

You are probably on the right track, maybe just slapping the router around will get it's mind right.

Some things you can try here.

For wireless connections, change the channel on the router, I like channels 1, 6, and 11 in the US.
For wireless connections, try moving either the wireless router/AP or the wireless computer. Even a couple of feet will sometimes make a big difference.
Update the firmware to the latest version available on the manufacturer's site.
Reset the router to factory defaults and reconfigure.

Many times these measures will resolve a lot of intermittent issues.

Allabaster · 09-12-2008, 02:51 PM

Alright, finally figured out where our modem was stashed, and see that its a Siemens Speedstream 4100 model. Am waiting for a callback from our ISP atm, but hopeful of getting this fixed.

**johnwill** · 09-13-2008, 09:08 AM

How does a connection fare connected directly to the Speedstream 4100? FWIW, that's a modem/router.

Allabaster · 09-14-2008, 10:19 AM

Don't know yet how the connection fares when directly going through the Speedstream. Have been trying to do so, however living with several others who petulantly refuse to let you try this makes it hard to.

Spoke to the ISP, they came to the conclusion that its the Speedstream or the Linksys as well, and suggested the same thing when I spoke to them on Friday. At this point, if that doesn't work, they were going to issue a new modem, but apparently are going to need to get a different one than the current model they stock (different than what we have atm), as it uses the same log-in IP as the linksys router, and is not a wireless unit and therefore would not do us much good with PCs all over the house.

Am going to attempt to connect to the modem tonight and see, if I can make sure no one else is around who is going to shout me down, despite them all having the same issues.

On the agenda for now:
Connect directly through modem
Make sure modem is set up to use PPOE
If above fails, get new modem from ISP
New modem fails to resolve, get new router.

**johnwill** · 09-15-2008, 06:49 AM

How did it go?

Allabaster · 09-17-2008, 08:29 PM

Sorry to leave ya all hanging and awaiting a reply.

Connected to the modem, worked fine, if a bit sluggish (was averaging around 4-500 kbps down according to www.speakeasy.net/speedtest ), so went out and bought a new router (Couldn't find a WRT54G so went with a WRT54G2 by Linksys, just to minimise the amount of reconfiguring involved), and it appears to have worked. Got it connected, my desktop and laptop could see it, freaked me out for a moment because afterward there was no internet showing. Further troubleshooting on my end revealed that modems gain a drastic performance boost by turning them on. Never again mock IT support guys who ask if you powered on a given piece of equipment. Its an easy thing to overlook because of how inconsequentially obvious it seems.

After I got that turned on, was getting low, but stable speeds.

Now I have to send a bill to my "Network Admin" (my old man. XD) for the 50 dollar router, once he's back from Lithuania.

08-31-2008, 01:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Allabaster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 8 OS: Windows XP SP2	Random D/Cs Hey all, I've recently been experiencing a rash of apparently random disconnections from the internet. Information I have to hand: ISP is Powerweb Router is a Linksys WRT-G54 Modem is unknown PC is homebuild running Q6600 Intel CPU non O/C, 4 Gigs of G.Skill RAM, BFG GeForce8800 OC Edition, 2 Seagate 250GB Drives with several partitions, Windows XP SP 3 and Windows Vista SP1 dual boot set up. I have thus far tested it with two different wireless connections, one a Linksys USB NIC, the other a Gigabyte wireless PCI NIC. Neither of them was able to hold a stable connection on either Vista or XP. I have confirmed that the correct drivers are installed, I have checked with my laptop to see if it can hold a stable connection, which it cannot either. I have consulted with the guy at the house in charge of the network, and he says that no one else has told him they had any trouble. There are 2 laptops and 2 desktops connected via wireless, and a third desktop connected via a hardline. There is a fourth desktop that is currently offline, but as of its last time being used, was able to hold a stable connection (it was where I nabbed the PCI NIC from.) I've unplugged anything and everything in my room that I could confirm was broadcasting any kind of signal, including: Cordless phone, Bluetooth USB headset, moved all flourescent lamps away from the desk. I have tried power-cycling the router (working for a telecom, this is the first and most common suggestion I overhear the DSL guys suggest to our customers.), I have reloaded the .cfg file into the router, and thus far nothing has solved the issue. As near as I can determine, the issue is occuring at the router or the modem. The router itself has a history of connection issues during any form of storm, with the more severe ones often killing the internet connection itself though the internal network stays up, and was always resolved by reloading the .cfg we have. Does anyone have any thoughts as to what else I could attempt before I go about trying to negotiate replacing the router/modem? As an aside, I have not yet had the opportunity to speak to the ISP tech support guys, due to a bizarre work schedule on my end. Thanks for any help anyone can provide, I've tried everything I could think of or that I've been able to find online, and am reaching my wits end. The ISK in EVE won't farm themselves! :P

08-31-2008, 06:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,774 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Random D/Cs How can the modem be unknown? Since you're getting random disconnects, I'd think that's a significant issue. You are probably on the right track, maybe just slapping the router around will get it's mind right. Some things you can try here. For wireless connections, change the channel on the router, I like channels 1, 6, and 11 in the US. For wireless connections, try moving either the wireless router/AP or the wireless computer. Even a couple of feet will sometimes make a big difference. Update the firmware to the latest version available on the manufacturer's site. Reset the router to factory defaults and reconfigure. Many times these measures will resolve a lot of intermittent issues. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

09-12-2008, 02:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Allabaster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 8 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Random D/Cs Alright, finally figured out where our modem was stashed, and see that its a Siemens Speedstream 4100 model. Am waiting for a callback from our ISP atm, but hopeful of getting this fixed.

09-13-2008, 09:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,774 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Random D/Cs How does a connection fare connected directly to the Speedstream 4100? FWIW, that's a modem/router. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

09-14-2008, 10:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
Allabaster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 8 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Random D/Cs Don't know yet how the connection fares when directly going through the Speedstream. Have been trying to do so, however living with several others who petulantly refuse to let you try this makes it hard to. Spoke to the ISP, they came to the conclusion that its the Speedstream or the Linksys as well, and suggested the same thing when I spoke to them on Friday. At this point, if that doesn't work, they were going to issue a new modem, but apparently are going to need to get a different one than the current model they stock (different than what we have atm), as it uses the same log-in IP as the linksys router, and is not a wireless unit and therefore would not do us much good with PCs all over the house. Am going to attempt to connect to the modem tonight and see, if I can make sure no one else is around who is going to shout me down, despite them all having the same issues. On the agenda for now: Connect directly through modem Make sure modem is set up to use PPOE If above fails, get new modem from ISP New modem fails to resolve, get new router.

09-15-2008, 06:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,774 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Random D/Cs How did it go? __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

09-17-2008, 08:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
Allabaster Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 8 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Random D/Cs Sorry to leave ya all hanging and awaiting a reply. Connected to the modem, worked fine, if a bit sluggish (was averaging around 4-500 kbps down according to www.speakeasy.net/speedtest ), so went out and bought a new router (Couldn't find a WRT54G so went with a WRT54G2 by Linksys, just to minimise the amount of reconfiguring involved), and it appears to have worked. Got it connected, my desktop and laptop could see it, freaked me out for a moment because afterward there was no internet showing. Further troubleshooting on my end revealed that modems gain a drastic performance boost by turning them on. Never again mock IT support guys who ask if you powered on a given piece of equipment. Its an easy thing to overlook because of how inconsequentially obvious it seems. After I got that turned on, was getting low, but stable speeds. Now I have to send a bill to my "Network Admin" (my old man. XD) for the 50 dollar router, once he's back from Lithuania.