Random internet D/C's ($20 free internet transfer if you can help me)

[whitelime]

Hi. I have a computer hooked up to a wireless router for cable internet. My computer is directly connected to the wireless router via an ethernet cable. The last couple of days, the internet randomly goes out maybe 2-4 times a day. The only way to fix it is to reboot my computer and then everything is fine. Any ideas what the problem could be? I am 100% sure it is not the ISP as the other computers on the network aren't having this problem.

[DawnToDusk]

Did you add anything to the wireless network recently? One thing I am thinking of is possible packet collisions on the network. I don't know how that would affect a wireless as I am hardwired, but I am sure it might have some adverse affects on one as opposed to the ones on a hardwired network.

Tell me a lil more about your setup.

[TheTROLL]

No, this is a software problem. Unstable/corrupted network protocol stack or network card drivers. Start by uninstalling the network card from Device Manager and rebooting. When the card is detected on reboot, tell the install wizard to copy the drivers from the CD, not use the ones found on the hard drive.

If that hasn't fixed it, remove TCP/IP from the Network Control Panel applet, reboot and add TCP/IP back again.

Post if you need advice on how to do either of the above.

[whitelime]

No, I haven't added anything recently.

[whitelime]

I tried re-installing the drivers but the problem occurred soon afterwards. This time, however, I went into Network Connections and then disabled and then enabled the connection and it solved the problem. Maybe this sheds some light on what the problem is...?

[whitelime]

This hasn't permenantly solved the problem, however. It just happened against, but I did the same thing and the internet is back.

[TheTROLL]

That would suggest it's the TCP/IP stack crashing. Have you tried the second part of the solution I posted earlier?

[whitelime]

I'm going to do it as soon as I'm done playing. If it works, I'll send you $20 through an online site.

[TheTROLL]

Meh. It will work. Keep the money.

[whitelime]

I just want to make sure I did this right. I right clicked network connections, properties. Then, I found TCP/IP and unchecked it. This resulted in two other things being unchecked as well. Then I rebooted. Then, I went back and checked TCP/IP. The other two things also became checked.
I am hoping it fixes the problem.

Thanks again for your help.

[TheTROLL]

That's right - this will usually fix TCP/IP problems, though depending exactly what file is affected it may be necessary to delete files manually after rebooting to ensure fresh copies are taken from the cache or CD when it's reinstalled. Anyway, see how you get on, we'll go into the more thorough method if needed.

[FouTight]

I would be inclined to try somethign as simple as a winsock fix utlity first...

if you are running windows XP: Here (http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html)

[bly]

You didn't mention what OS you're using, but if it's Windows XP there are some very specific steps you must take to rebuild the TCP/IP stack.

Follow the directions on this web page :

http://www.petri.co.il/reinstall_tcp_ip_on_windows_xp.htm

[2+2 wannabe]

I don't want to hijack this thread here - but I'm having the exact same problem. Every hour or so my internet disconnects for 3 minutes (every time it's 3 minutes for some reason). I don't believe it's my connection either. Should I follow the same steps as the OP?

[wonderwes]

One way to tell if its the XP box or the cable modem is trial by elimination. If you can hook a 2nd computer like a laptop to it and see the same results you know its the cable modem.

Question, when watching cable tv do you notice pixilation on the screen at times. Sometimes these cable modems lock up in routing if they are getting packet loss.

[2+2 wannabe]

you know what - my cable IS fuzzy on many channels. I didn't think much of it before, but the cable is definitely not the same quality as it was before this internet problem.