Intermittent Internet Connection

whippy · 10-17-2009, 02:06 AM

I have two laptops in my house, each using wireless to contact to a router. The modem is connected by ethernet cable to the wireless router. One laptop is an ASUS running on XP, the other is a HP running on Vista. The wireless router is a Netgear router, and the modem is a D-Link ADSL modem.
I am having the same problem with both computers (both computers have different virus protection software), the connection with the wireless network and the laptops is fine, the connection between the wireless network and the internet works only intermittently. The internet will work for an hour, then will stop, then without doing anything will start working after 5 mins. To fix the problem we restart the laptops,router and modem, but I am growing weary of this solution.

Any thoughts.

**johnwill** · 10-17-2009, 09:12 AM

Well, the fact that it fails on multiple computers would indicate that it's probably either the router or the modem.

I'd start by connecting the wired computer directly to the modem and seeing if it still disconnects after an hour. If not, it's probably the router.

whippy · 10-17-2009, 11:56 PM

Ok, so I connected the modem to the HP laptop by ethernet cable. It's been over two hours and still working, in fact my internet speed went from an average of 30Mbps to 100Mbps.

So if the problem is with the router, what can I do to fix it. Also, how do I get the same speed out of the router as I am currently with a direct connection.

**johnwill** · 10-18-2009, 08:12 AM

Some things you can try here, listed in the order you should try them. This may or may not solve the problem, but it's about all you can do with the router, short of replacing it.

For wireless connections, remove all the stored wireless profiles and search for networks. You'll have to enter the encryption key again, which is sometimes the issue for connection problems.
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 network drivers (wired and wireless) on your computer to the latest available.
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.

10-17-2009, 02:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
whippy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Vista Home Premium Service Pack 2	Intermittent Internet Connection I have two laptops in my house, each using wireless to contact to a router. The modem is connected by ethernet cable to the wireless router. One laptop is an ASUS running on XP, the other is a HP running on Vista. The wireless router is a Netgear router, and the modem is a D-Link ADSL modem. I am having the same problem with both computers (both computers have different virus protection software), the connection with the wireless network and the laptops is fine, the connection between the wireless network and the internet works only intermittently. The internet will work for an hour, then will stop, then without doing anything will start working after 5 mins. To fix the problem we restart the laptops,router and modem, but I am growing weary of this solution. Any thoughts.

10-17-2009, 09:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,940 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Intermittent Internet Connection Well, the fact that it fails on multiple computers would indicate that it's probably either the router or the modem. I'd start by connecting the wired computer directly to the modem and seeing if it still disconnects after an hour. If not, it's probably the router. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

10-17-2009, 11:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
whippy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Vista Home Premium Service Pack 2	Re: Intermittent Internet Connection Ok, so I connected the modem to the HP laptop by ethernet cable. It's been over two hours and still working, in fact my internet speed went from an average of 30Mbps to 100Mbps. So if the problem is with the router, what can I do to fix it. Also, how do I get the same speed out of the router as I am currently with a direct connection.

10-18-2009, 08:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,940 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Intermittent Internet Connection Some things you can try here, listed in the order you should try them. This may or may not solve the problem, but it's about all you can do with the router, short of replacing it. For wireless connections, remove all the stored wireless profiles and search for networks. You'll have to enter the encryption key again, which is sometimes the issue for connection problems. 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 network drivers (wired and wireless) on your computer to the latest available. 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