Wireless connection dropping out

[Brian Sheridan]

I have a wireless home network using ADSL with the following components:

TrendNet TEW- 432 BRP Wireless Router

Gateway Desktop with Windows 7 OS

iMac desktop with Leopard 10.5.8 OS

Compaq Presario Notebook with Vista Home Premium OS Service Pack 2

For some time now the network connection has been dropping out and then reconnects itself in a minute or so, but I lose any info I have been working on if it is on one of the other computers on my network. It can then go for hours without any disconnects, but then disconnect and reconnect again several times a day.

I have changed all the ADSL filters and tried several relocations of the router and the modem, to no avail. I have also disconnected one phone at a time (I have three phones in my residence) also without success.

Is it possible that the router is at fault? I hesitate to swap out this router if it is not at fault, only to have the same problem after purchasing a new one. It has always worked well until recently.

As always any help would be greatly appreciated.

Brian

[jdc2000]

A simple test would be to see if a wired connection (bypassing the router) drops out also. If it does, then it is not the router.

[IPexpress]

If you router has a built in switch then try the wired connections with an Ethernet cable. If you dont lose connection on those then your WAN connection to the ISP is obviously sound. It is then the wireless function on your router and it could be faulty. Swapping out could be the answer.

[Brian Sheridan]

My wireless router does not have a built in switch. Do I connect the ethernet cable that runs from my modem to the router directly to one of the computers?
How does this configuration recognize the change from wireless to hard wired?
Do I need shut down the other 2 computers on the wireless network to do this?

[jdc2000]

Do I connect the ethernet cable that runs from my modem to the router directly to one of the computers?

Yes. Make sure that you have at least the built-in Windows firewall and your antivirus software running on that computer.

How does this configuration recognize the change from wireless to hard wired?

If you have your TCP/IP settings set to automatic, there should not be a problem.

Do I need shut down the other 2 computers on the wireless network to do this?

You don't need to shut them down, but it couldn't hurt. They won't have wireless internet access while you are using the new configuration.

[Brian Sheridan]

I have turned off 2 of my 3 computers and my router.

I have disconnected the RJ45 ethernet cable from the router and connected it directly to my laptop computer and I rebooted the laptop.

My Internet Security is running. The TCP/IP settings are set to automatic.

I am unable to connect to the internet and get the message shown on the attached screen capture when I attempt to repair the connection. I will have to wait until I can contact my ISP tomorrow to see if he can help me resolve the problem and will advise when I have succeeded to connect.

[jdc2000]

What make and model of cable/dsl modem do you have?

From a Command Prompt, use the following command to generate a text file containing your IP info:

ipconfig /all > ipconfig.txt

Post the contents of the ipconfig.txt file here.

[Brian Sheridan]

My Modem is: Gnet ADSL Modem, Model BB0060

See txt file attached,

Regards,

Brian

[jdc2000]

That ipconfig shows that your computer is still using the wireless connection, which is now disconnecteed from the modem, and that the wired connection is disconnected. Check Device Manager to make sure that your Realtek wired ethernet adapter is showing as having the drivers loaded. Also, check the cable from the computer to the modem.

[Brian Sheridan]

I'm sorry to have inadvertetly misled you. I had to reconnect to my wireless network with my laptop in order to be able to reconnect to the web.

Brian

[jdc2000]

We would need an ipconfig.txt report from when you are connected directly to the modem with a wired connection to see what is happening.

[Brian Sheridan]

Will do so, and sorry about that.

Brian

[Brian Sheridan]

Attached is the ipconfig.txt file with the laptop hard wired to the modem.

Brian

[jdc2000]

The hard wired ethernet adapter is not receiving an IP address from the modem. Change the IP address and DNS servers manually to the following to see if dropouts occur:

IP Address: 192.168.10.54
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.10.1
DNS Servers: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

[Brian Sheridan]

I finally succeeded in connecting to my modem directly via hard wire. I also contacted my ISP who claimed that he could detect noise on the line which he said was probably due to a defective ADSL filter. I told him that I had swapped them all out and that it was still dropping. After turning off my modem and all but one phone he said he could still detect noise. He suggested I contact Ma Bell and get them to come and check the line. They agreed to do so after also detecting noise on the line, but told me there would be a charge if the problem was inside my home and not on their drop to the house. I would gladly pay this if it solves my problem.

I will let you know what happens after the visit from Bell.

Brian