Kate ([info]ladyynara) wrote in [info]livejournal_uk,
@ 2006-09-26 16:08:00
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Forgive me for posting here, I tried to find a uk based technical help community, but couldn't find one...



Hopefully I can explain this alright, but I'm not that technical so bear with me.

We have 3 computers networked (2 PC's and a laptop with a wireless card) to a Lynksys Wireless-G ADSL router, and use Virgin Broadband.  Had no trouble with it for the 5 months we've had it set up like this.

Then, a few weeks ago, my PC started dropping partial internet connection - some websites were ok, most weren't, instant messaging ok (hubby said this is a DNS connection problem?).  The only way I could fix it was to reset the router.  I have been ending up doing this up to 10 times a day.  Neither of the other two computers *seem* to be affected, but the laptop hardly gets used at all, and the other PC only gets used in the evenings and weekends.  When my PC is having the trouble, the other PC is not affected in the same way.

We sent an email to the technical support for our router, who said it was a hardware problem and we should get it replaced.  Which we did, through Amazon.  They sent us a newer version with newer firmware.  But it hasn't solved the problem at all, connection still drops suddenly and I'm still having to reset the router.  We've emailed our ISP, but they weren't helpful - but as the other computer isn't dropping connection, I assume it's not their problem anyway.

Anyone shed any light?  It's driving me bonkers.


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[info]chuckdarwin
2006-09-26 03:10 pm UTC (link)
Turn all three of them on at once and see if they all lose connectivity at the same time. Could be a line issue.

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[info]ladyynara
2006-09-26 03:15 pm UTC (link)
It's very random though...it'll be fine for hours, and then suddenly go. And the other main PC doesn't have the same issue when mine does.

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[info]chuckdarwin
2006-09-26 03:21 pm UTC (link)
If power cycling the router fixes it, though, it sounds like a DSL problem.

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[info]greebo
2006-09-26 03:27 pm UTC (link)
i was thinking it could be linked to the ISP's DNS server addresses, after all she mentions that some websites are fine, i suspect that what *may* be happening is that the system is trying to use the primary DNS server, its failing somehow, falling over to the secondary which doesnt have access to all sites and the resetting of the router allows access to the primary DNS server listed on the routers prefered server addresses and resolves the issue (or something like that)

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[info]greebo
2006-09-26 03:31 pm UTC (link)
oh oh a test would be to (when the system falls over) to take a note of the problematic websites ip addresses (by going to start, run, type "cmd", click ok, in the command prompt screen typing "ping *website address*" and take a note of that ip address) and going to the command prompt, typing "ping *website address*" if it returns the correct ip address and responds with replys then its gonna be spyware related or something, if it says request times out or anything, type "ping *website ip address*" and if you get a reply its DEFINITLY DNS related

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[info]chuckdarwin
2006-09-26 03:39 pm UTC (link)
True, I was just starting in the most obvious place (since dynamic IP addresses via DSL have a way of expiring)

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[info]greebo
2006-09-26 03:44 pm UTC (link)
i doubt it will be linked directly with the DLS line as the ip address *shouldnt* expire more than a few times a month rather than 10 times a day, the thing that rings alarm bells is that she is able to access some websites and not others.... unless she is looking at cached pages *ponders* but the reset of the router is another thing that throws in an added complication

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[info]chuckdarwin
2006-09-26 03:47 pm UTC (link)
She could try the ipconfig /flushdns command.

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[info]greebo
2006-09-26 03:48 pm UTC (link)
indeed

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[info]turbojugend_mcr
2006-09-26 03:15 pm UTC (link)
If some websites are okay and some aren't (assuming it's always the same ones?), it does point to a DNS related problem. Line problems tend to manifest themselves as either general slowness or non connectivity as a whole.

I'd guess the problem is likely to be with the way your ISP is supplying DNS information to your router. I'd badger your ISP some more.

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[info]ladyynara
2006-09-26 03:17 pm UTC (link)
Would that only affect one computer though? My husband doesn't seem to have trouble with his connection when mine goes down.

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[info]greebo
2006-09-26 03:32 pm UTC (link)
it could affect your pc and not his if you are specifying your DNS and he isnt on your pc (or the other way around)

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[info]turbojugend_mcr
2006-09-26 03:19 pm UTC (link)
Hang on, where's my brain today?

If their DNS servers were screwy, it would probably affect all your PC's at one. If the other two PCs are fine, the likely suspect is your laptop. Try reinstalling network drivers.

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[info]greebo
2006-09-26 03:16 pm UTC (link)
what exactly happens when it drops? if its DNS then you need to speak to your ISP as you are probably using their DNS servers, who set up the router? im assuming your hubby did it, i would suggest you speak to your ISP and ask for their DNS server addresses and make sure you are using them, worst case, goto your pc and set the DNS server to the new information given to you by the ISP on one of your pc's while leaving the rest on dynamic and see if that pc drops when the others do *shrug* could also be spyware, depends on what exactly is happening

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[info]chuckdarwin
2006-09-26 03:48 pm UTC (link)
Start>Run>'ipconfig /flushdns'

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