Router and Internet Issues

[crazierthanu]

Im not sure if this is the correct forum, so please move this topic if you feel necessary.

Ive been having MAJOR problems with my internet connection over the last 5-9 months. I dont exactly remember when it started happening, but recently it has been very bad.

Randomly, my internet connection will drop. Sometimes it will only happen once a day, sometimes 20+ times. The only fix I can find is to reset the router, and that is a temporary one.
I don't think it has to do with a particular computer on my network, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility that one of the computers is causing the problem. (I have 4 computers, 2 laptops, 2 desktops, an iPod and Xbox.)

My router is a WGT624 2 and my ISP is Comcast.

I have called Comcast about my problem multiple times, and they claim its on my end. (I agree.) I was told in one instance that my Ethernet cables may have deteriorated, but I have replaced them all nearly 3 times.

Today alone my internet connection has dropped 14 times, and this is SERIOUSLY effecting everyone in my house.

Any help would be appreciated, and if this does not belong in this forum I sincerely apologize.

[The Fugitive]

How old is the router? I haven't had one that has lasted more the 12-18 months.My netgear one made it 6 months. The linksys seem to hold out the longest for me. A sure sign is having to reset it often to get your connection back. I'd get a new router.

[gyrene81]

if that's a netgear wgt624-v2 it's circa 2004? maybe...

what happens to your connection when you connect your pc directly to the modem? or have you not tried that? it's an easy way to tell if something is happening with your router...

could also try a firmware upgrade to see if that corrects the issue...if it's a v2 model you need this firmware

http://support.netgear.com/app/products/model/a_id/2594/session/L2F2LzEvc2lkL3JDajRuaXVr

[bbosen]

One possibility (this has happened to me several times)....

Maybe your Domain Name Server (DNS) isn't very reliable. This is commonplace, since many ISPs provide you with overloaded or failing Domain name servers. If this is the case, you ability to FIND Internet services will be gone, but if you already know the numeric IP address of an Internet resource, you will be able to "ping" it or connect with it as appropriate. This can appear mysterious and random. For example, services like "Skype", which don't rely on DNS, will continue to work, but most other services will fail.  Here's a thread where this possibility is further discussed:


http://askmisterwizard.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12

...just a possibility. I hope it helps!
 

[Vulcan]

Running any P2P apps like bittorrent?

[crazierthanu]

Running any P2P apps like bittorrent?

Nope no torrents or anything of that sort.

One possibility (this has happened to me several times)....

Maybe your Domain Name Server (DNS) isn't very reliable. This is commonplace, since many ISPs provide you with overloaded or failing Domain name servers. If this is the case, you ability to FIND Internet services will be gone, but if you already know the numeric IP address of an Internet resource, you will be able to "ping" it or connect with it as appropriate. This can appear mysterious and random. For example, services like "Skype", which don't rely on DNS, will continue to work, but most other services will fail.  Here's a thread where this possibility is further discussed:


http://askmisterwizard.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12

...just a possibility. I hope it helps!
 

I dont remember any cases where my connection has dropped where selective services would work. I have Skype running all the time, and the call dropping is usually the first indication of my connection going out.

if that's a netgear wgt624-v2 it's circa 2004? maybe...

what happens to your connection when you connect your pc directly to the modem? or have you not tried that? it's an easy way to tell if something is happening with your router...

could also try a firmware upgrade to see if that corrects the issue...if it's a v2 model you need this firmware

http://support.netgear.com/app/products/model/a_id/2594/session/L2F2LzEvc2lkL3JDajRuaXVr

Im going to check that out here soon.

How old is the router? I haven't had one that has lasted more the 12-18 months.My netgear one made it 6 months. The linksys seem to hold out the longest for me. A sure sign is having to reset it often to get your connection back. I'd get a new router.

If nothing else works ill be picking a new one up.

Thanks for the suggestions! 

[715]

Since all computers are affected it probably isn't a WiFi signal problem that could be fixed by twiddling with antenna position.  Since rebooting the router immediately fixes the problem it probably isn't due to a poor cable signal or cable modem problems.  The only other thing to try is to turn off all and/or disconnect other computers and game consoles and other electronics connected to the router and run only one computer and see if you still drop the internet.  If you do then do the same with some other single device (like one of the laptops) with everything else off/disconnected.  If you still drop the internet, then it's likely the router needs to be replaced. 

[Blagard]

Randomly, my internet connection will drop.

I had this once - I have a cable modem linked to a router.

I just tried the connection direct to the modem and it confirmed my router was on the way out (Needed reseting all the time). A new router fixed my problem as easy as that.