Internet Disconnect

poptart · Post by **poptart** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 5:11 am

Every few hrs I lose my internet connection.
However my connection status shows that I am still connected.
Try to pull up a page and I get the 'page can not be displayed' notice.
If I restart the computer I get re-connected once again.

I'd call my IP, but no comprende.

My problem .... ?

Shlomart Ben Yisrael · Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:42 am

How are you connected?

poptart · Post by **poptart** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:53 pm

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 1:23 pm

Are you using a laptop and a wireless network?

poptart · Post by **poptart** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 1:26 pm

Laptop yes, wireless no.

Hobbes · Post by **Hobbes** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 3:34 pm

I've seen this happen with WinXP when it goes into Hibernate or Standby. Basically, while the computer is in this state, the DSL modem/router still thinks it's connected, but the system doesn't renew its DHCP lease, so that when you bring it out of Hibernate/Standby, the IP is no longer valid. This is a particular nuisance with laptops, since they are configured to save power by going into this mode sooner than desktop systems. Try setting it up so that your PC doesn't go into Hibernate/Standby for a long time, or not at all, unless you tell it to.

EDIT: You can also try opening a command promp (Start > Run > cmd) and typing "ipconfig /renew" (no quotes). I don't do a lot with Windows, so someone correct me on that syntax if it's wrong.

ElTaco · Post by **ElTaco** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 9:03 pm

This can happen for a variety of reasons. I've had it happen regularly with certain routers. The problems I've seen has always been between the router and the modem. When I had the problem I had a Linksys router. Do you have your computer directly hooked into the modem or do you have a combined modem/router from your DSL provider?

I would do as Hobbes recommended and check to see if when you lose connectivity, if you have an IP address. You can use the Ipconfig command (ipconfig /all) to see if you have an IP or go to your network properties for your wired or wireless connection and click on the Support Tab on the Local Area Connection Status page.

If you have an IP then I would go to the Command prompt and ping your router/modem IP. This is usually set to the x.x.x.1 ip address so if your IP is 192.168.1.4 then your router is probably 192.168.1.1.

If this pings, you may want to see if you can ping google.

If you can't ping your router/modem, your problem is probably your laptop. If you can ping your modem but not google, then your problem is probably with the modem. Maybe your ISP is disconnecting it for some reason or its faulty.

Mister Bushice · Post by **Mister Bushice** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:39 am

Instead of rebooting, you might try resetting the modem. Takes less time, and you don't loose your desktop stuff.

Unplug modem power cable. Unplug network cable. Wait 60 to 120 seconds. replug power, then replug cable. Give it a minute or two to reset.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:34 pm

ElTaco wrote:if your IP is 192.168.1.4 then your router is probably 192.168.1.1

Even more likely, is that the router is whatever addy is listed under "Default Gateway" when you do the "ipconfig /all."

Headhunter · Post by **Headhunter** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:58 pm

I had the same issues a few years ago with SBC DSL. It was a faulty DSL line filter on the outside of my house. They replaced it, and I never had another problem (until they tried to charge me for $60 bones for the filter, but that's another story).

Also, do you use a cordless phone? If so, is it a 2.4GHz? Does your neighbor use a 2.4GHz phone? Wireless routers use the same frequency. I know you said you're not using the wireless, but is your router wireless? If it is, disable the wireless function. (You should do that for security if you're not using wireless anyways.

ElTaco · Post by **ElTaco** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:02 pm

Headhunter wrote:Also, do you use a cordless phone? If so, is it a 2.4GHz? Does your neighbor use a 2.4GHz phone? Wireless routers use the same frequency. I know you said you're not using the wireless, but is your router wireless? If it is, disable the wireless function. (You should do that for security if you're not using wireless anyways.

He is not using wireless according to him. also he is using DSL, which has been more reliable then some Cable providers in my experiance, but if you have an old house with old phone lines, that could be an issue, although its something that they should have tested for when they came out to install the dsl stuff (if they did come out that is).

Headhunter · Post by **Headhunter** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:06 pm

I've also got a wireless B router, that I turned wireless off on the router, because I needed the ports, and have a G router that I use for wireless in my house. I know he said he's not using wireless. That doesn't mean he isn't hardwired to a port on a wireless router. It's worth asking.

I was in a house that was less than 10 years old. Fairly new for wiring considerations. The DSL was only 5 years old when their line filter went bad.

IIRC, Pops is in Korea. Good chance someone used a cheap line filter. Really depends on the type of connection. A DHCP connection, would require an exterior filter to separate Data and voice pairs in the wiring, and a cat 5/RJ45 connection inside the house. Where a PPOE would use the data pairs on the existing wiring and require Z-Filters for each phone/Data connection. My point being, a bad line filter, can really fuck things up.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:15 pm

Last time I had that problem, it was a bad Netgear router(was a few years old). Intranet connectivity was no prob, but the external side didn't work consistantly....kind of sucked to diag, since it worked fine pretty much every time I tried to get serious about pinning it down.

If it's through a broadband router, try going straight to the modem (which requires a reboot or an ipconfig /renew).

KC Scott · Post by **KC Scott** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:36 pm

Headhunter wrote:I had the same issues a few years ago with SBC DSL. It was a faulty DSL line filter on the outside of my house. They replaced it, and I never had another problem (until they tried to charge me for $60 bones for the filter, but that's another story).

Same here. For the first year we lived in this house I'd get dropped off DSL at least once every two hours.
After the 10th time of calling they finally figures out it was on their end and replaced the outside filter.

Something else I did was get rid of the Lynksis router and bought a D Link.
Haven't had any problems since and the wireless feature works great - (about 60' range here)

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:41 pm

Naturally, you should first try restoring to a previous day...that's a given.

poptart · Post by **poptart** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:46 am

Thanks for the input, everyone.

Fat Bones · Post by **Fat Bones** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 5:23 pm

Timely thread, as I'm having the same problems with my shop pc. It's using SBC DSL, and I have to hit "repair" network connections in "network places" to restore connectivity. If all else fails I reset the modem. I'll try disabling the hibernation timeout, thanks. It's a pain, 'cause I have my email forwarded to my Blackberry and I'm missing emails damnit...

Headhunter · Post by **Headhunter** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:26 pm

Since some of the SBC techs speak English, Call their support, and MAKE them do a line test. I bet they find the issue is on their end.

Fat Bones · Post by **Fat Bones** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 6:14 pm

Great call, Headhunter. SBC just replaced the modem...and disabling hibernation was already keeping connectivity almost manageable.

Thanks again all.

campinfool · Post by **campinfool** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:12 am

If you have a EN4100 modem and are running an aftermarket router sometimes they will both attempt to handle the PPPOE connections and cancel each other out. You can set the 4100 modem to bridge and let your router do the PPPOE and it will cure itself.