frequent disconnects

Okay here is my problem. My house has one desktop connected directly to our router, one desktop that has a wireless adapter, and two laptops that also connect via their wireless cards. About two months ago we started having problems.

All the computers except for the desktop connected directly to the router have serious internet troubles. They will disconnect frequently even when they are idle (no programs open or anything). But they will stay connected for the majority of the day (with many disconnections). The desktop that's connected to the router never has wireless issues. So, I'm really at a loss for words, because the two laptops work flawlessly everywhere else (at college, starbucks, wherever). The other desktop that has the wireless adapter also has worked perfectly up until about two months ago.

I wish I could have remembered what happened before all this started happening, but I don't think it would make much of a difference because the router still works apparently. So anyone have any ideas? Sorry for the long post, but I'm really fed up with this and I don't want to have to call Comcast out here.

 

What is the make and model of the router, and how long have you had it?

 

Netgear Wireless cable modem gateway CG814WG. I've had it for about three years now and it has worked flawlessly.

 

Have you tried doing a hard reset on it by pushing the little reset button you have to use a bent paper-clip to reach?

 

Yep, I've pressed the reset button, unplugged it, everything.

But now that I think about it, about 2 months ago I moved this desktop (the one that's connected to the router) to a different room with a tv in it. I had to buy one of those cable splitter things so I can have my tv and router connected to the wall (there is only one cable outlet in the room). Do you think that with the split power, it is rendering the wireless capabilities of all the other computers in the house?

 

I doubt it because the one computer you have that's connected to the router by wire isn't showing any connection problems, which it would be having if the signal from your wall connection were getting too attenuated because of the splitter. The easy way to check that out, of course, is to temporarily connect the cable modem directly to the cable feed-in at the wall, without the TV, and see if the wireless systems still have trouble connecting.

My bet is, particularly since the router is three years old, is that the router is beginning to wear out and has gone out of spec - in a nutshell, you probably just need a new router.

 

Yeah you're probably right. I'll check it later tonight, but it looks like this router might be wearing out. Anyways, I'll keep searching around online if anyone else has problems with this router. Thanks for the help. +1 rep

 

I had a Belkin that behaved in a similar fashion - it performed well (for a Belkin, that is) for about 2-1/2 years, and then started having all sorts of problems with frequent disconnects.

 

If it's only the wireless units having problems (your desktop connected to the router is connected via Ethernet cable) and you haven't made any changes to the Router settings (wireless mode changes, bands, etc.) then you should start thinking about an interference source next to the router - transformers, cordless phone base, anything that generates RFI or EMI is a potential interference source. The Router is the logical area if the systems are separate.

However, it could be as simple as a hiccup in your internet service - I get those all the time and it affects my signal. If you haven't done so, and anytime you get a problem like this for no apparent reason, always first do a POR (Power On Reset) on both the modem and the Router. DO NOT push the Reset button on the router or you'll set it back to its default settings. Unplug both at the same time from the back of the units, then wait at least 30-45 seconds. Plug the Modem in first, then the Router, and watch the signal LED's on the front of each. Your Cable LED should be blinking fast enough that it appears steady.

Adding another cable box to your house can also have an effect on the overall signal quality of your network. The more devices you have connected to your broadband source, the larger the voltage drop is over the cable; less voltage = less signal. If you've done that, you might need a line amplifier to boost your incoming signal. If you haven't yet, check your signal strength at each affected computer (Control Panel/Network/Sharing).