End of my tether

[chris9486]

Hi, I am hoping someone can give me some help as vm are at a loss as to what the problem is.

I have had broadband for 8 months on a wireless router, about 3 months ago it started to play up. I would lose connection (intermittent) to the net but not the router.

I thought it was my linksys router so I bought a netgear one. I still had the same problem.
So I got the free router from VM which turned out to be the same Negear one I bought. Still the same issue.
I asked for a new modem. Still the same issue.
They offered a new splitter. I fitted it and still the same issue.

My modem works fine with my laptop via RJ45. Just when the modem is connected to a router it just loses connection to the net

A tech came out last week and said he thinks it is interference from somewhere so some 'sniffers' will come out. But can this be the case as my modem works fine by wire. It is just when it is connected to a router!

I'd like to state my laptop works fine wirelessly at my work and parents.

Has anyone heard of this problem before? Does anyone have any suggestions?

* Your location; Bradford
* If you are a former ntl or telewest area customer; Telewest
* The type of Set Top Box or modem that you are using; I have no idea, the modem has no name on it, generic I think. I use the VM Netgear router too.

[MovedGoalPosts]

What is running on your laptop in terms of operating system and software? Is there any significant upload or download going on including torrents, newsgroups, etc. Is the wireless properly secured / encrypted? Does the connection fail when at any odd time, even when you aren't doing stuff, i.e. overnight, or just during specific tasks?

When it crashes, what has to be rebooted? modem or router or laptop or what combination? Have you tried changing the wireless channel being used.

[Jelly Bean]

Did you encrypt/password the router?

Move all wireless objects away from the router such as cordless phones and mobile etc.

Could you do this:

Click start then run box/type in box cmd hit ok/type in box ipconfig /all hit enter what are the results?

Click start then run box/type in box cmd hit ok/type in box ipconfig /flushdns hit enter

Click start then run box /type in cmd hit ok/type in box ping google.com hit enter what are the results?

Or ping your ISP like ping virginmedia.com

[chris9486]

What is running on your laptop in terms of operating system and software? Is there any significant upload or download going on including torrents, newsgroups, etc. Is the wireless properly secured / encrypted? Does the connection fail when at any odd time, even when you aren't doing stuff, i.e. overnight, or just during specific tasks?

When it crashes, what has to be rebooted? modem or router or laptop or what combination? Have you tried changing the wireless channel being used.

I am using Firefox and Vista.

I have a 10Mb connection, the biggest load I put on it is a 500mb BBC iPlayer/Channel 4OD file probably once a day if that. I sometimes download with torrent the same tv shows if I have missed them as it is sometimes faster.

I mostly use the internet for my personal photography site, flickr and profileheaven. MSN also.

When I am downloading tv shows the issue gets worse.

It is properly secured and encrypted. I use the weakest security because my neighbours are degenerates who struggle to break into a tin of beans.

It fails randomly but worse at night, the other night it was every 5 seconds or so.

It automatically comes back on, I don't have to do anything. It will appear normal and then all of a sudden a page wont load. It says "network time out" yet I can login to the router as normal.

I have tried all the channels on this router and the linksys one I had.

---------- Post added at 10:13 ---------- Previous post was at 10:12 ----------

Did you encrypt/password the router?

Move all wireless objects away from the router such as cordless phones and mobile etc.

Could you do this:

Click start then run box/type in box cmd hit ok/type in box ipconfig /all hit enter what are the results?

Click start then run box/type in box cmd hit ok/type in box ipconfig /flushdns hit enter

Click start then run box /type in cmd hit ok/type in box ping google.com hit enter what are the results?

Or ping your ISP like ping virginmedia.com

I am at work now so I will do this tonight.

I am going to reinstall my vista laptop and see if it helps. Someone mentioned vista updates.

[AbyssUnderground]

Simply try changing the channel the wireless operates on. If you have interference then that will cause dropouts.

If the channel is set to 6, set it to one of the other ends of the scale, such as 1 or 11. Basically as far away from the current channel as possible. That should reduce the risk of interference. Most routers operate on 6 by default so if you have never changed it, and neither have your neighbours, thats where the interference is.

[chris9486]

Simply try changing the channel the wireless operates on. If you have interference then that will cause dropouts.

If the channel is set to 6, set it to one of the other ends of the scale, such as 1 or 11. Basically as far away from the current channel as possible. That should reduce the risk of interference. Most routers operate on 6 by default so if you have never changed it, and neither have your neighbours, thats where the interference is.

I already tried this. The technical people at VM told me to do it. I have tried every channel.
Plus none of my neighbours have wireless networks/internet in range as my laptop doesn't pick any other up than mine.

[Rewrew]

Just an idea, if the problem only exists when you connect by Wifi I have known DECT phones to cause interference if the base unit sits close to the Access Point/WiFi Router.

[Joxer]

When the connection drops can you log onto/ping the modem (192.168.100.1)? Can you ping the default gateway - the one from the router - should be similar to the WAN IP but ending with a 1?

Does the router still think it is connected?

Guessing you have an ambit modem - do either the sync or ready lights start flashing when the connection drops?

Before you start looking for run on the start menu it isn't there on Vista by default. Try Start->All Programs->Accessories->Command Prompt From there you can run some ping tests and traceroutes to try to establish where the connection is dropping. just type teach line below and press enter - copy and paste the results here when the connection comes back up.

ping 192.168.1.1
ping 192.168.100.1
ping (whatever the default gateway is)
tracert bbc.co.uk
tracert 212.58.224.131

Oh, and just thought, have you tried it wired to the router? Does that have the same issue?

[CrowmanUK]

What security settings are you using on your wireless, I used to get a lot of problems with my wireless router/card combination if I used WPA/PSK, something to test might be set the security to none, test the connection, enable WEP, test the connection again, backup your security settings first though so you can reenable them quickly once you find out if that is an issue.

[chris9486]

Just an idea, if the problem only exists when you connect by Wifi I have known DECT phones to cause interference if the base unit sits close to the Access Point/WiFi Router.

Ok I will plug a normal wired phone in!!

---------- Post added at 16:03 ---------- Previous post was at 15:49 ----------

When the connection drops can you log onto/ping the modem (192.168.100.1)? Can you ping the default gateway - the one from the router - should be similar to the WAN IP but ending with a 1?

Does the router still think it is connected?

Guessing you have an ambit modem - do either the sync or ready lights start flashing when the connection drops?

Before you start looking for run on the start menu it isn't there on Vista by default. Try Start->All Programs->Accessories->Command Prompt From there you can run some ping tests and traceroutes to try to establish where the connection is dropping. just type teach line below and press enter - copy and paste the results here when the connection comes back up.

ping 192.168.1.1
ping 192.168.100.1
ping (whatever the default gateway is)
tracert bbc.co.uk
tracert 212.58.224.131

Oh, and just thought, have you tried it wired to the router? Does that have the same issue?

I am trying the other stuff first. If I lose connection I will paste the info you need here. I disconnected my dect phone and all seems well so far. :|

I do have that modem, I checked underneath it. The ENET and SEND light flash when I lose the connection. The router just flashes as normal. The I and Signal lights flash.

---------- Post added at 16:06 ---------- Previous post was at 16:03 ----------

What security settings are you using on your wireless, I used to get a lot of problems with my wireless router/card combination if I used WPA/PSK, something to test might be set the security to none, test the connection, enable WEP, test the connection again, backup your security settings first though so you can reenable them quickly once you find out if that is an issue.

I use WPA/PSK. From removing my dect phone so far I haven't dropped any connection from the router or modem.

If I drop connection I will try this too. I have a list of stuff to try now. Thanks.

---------- Post added at 17:29 ---------- Previous post was at 16:06 ----------

To Joxer.

I have done as suggested by someone else and disconnected my DECT phone and it still drops connection.
It took me a while to do this because there's no specific pattern. I went a whole 50 minutes sat watching the utorrent before it dropped one of the 5 times in 80 mins.

So here are the results you asked for (I don't know how to copy and paste so here are screen shots);

Ping Modem which is 192.168.100.1

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2008/08/34.jpg

Ping Default Gateway and Router which is 192.168.1.1

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2008/08/35.jpg


From these it would suggest an issue with the router broadcasting but the connection dropping and reconnecting is not slow enough for vista to notice in the network and sharing centre.

If this is the case then why are the ENET and SEND lights flashing on my modem when it drops?

Also it would suggest there is some interference because 2 brands of router suffer the same issue. So would the VM sniffers be able to solve it?

[Joxer]

The connection is dropping between you and the router - so it is the (most likely) the wireless connection going down - the enet light flashing means the router is talking to the modem the send light means the modem is talking to the internet - that first succesful ping to the modem is way too high the last 2 are more like it. If your pc says the wireless is still connected it could be someone hijacking the connection or a spyware issue - did you do the reinstall?

[chris9486]

The connection is dropping between you and the router - so it is the (most likely) the wireless connection going down - the enet light flashing means the router is talking to the modem the send light means the modem is talking to the internet - that first succesful ping to the modem is way too high the last 2 are more like it. If your pc says the wireless is still connected it could be someone hijacking the connection or a spyware issue - did you do the reinstall?

I am pretty reluctant to totally reinstall my laptop as I have it set how I like, but I will do it all the same. It doesn't have a restore drive or a restore cd so I don't know what I will do about vista.

One thing, is there something I can do to check if someone is trying to hijack it, i.e scan for other wifi 'items' in my area?

[Joxer]

Your router should tell you who is connected - can't remember exactly where on a netgear - in advanced I think.

[chris9486]

Yea I found that earlier, it just said my laptop.
In the past someone told me that even a network key can be broken.
Is there any extra security or should I just have a random password ie no specific name or numbers...?

I am in the process of reinstalling, so in about 2 hrs I will let you know if I still have the connection loss issues.

[whydoIneedatech]

Yea I found that earlier, it just said my laptop.
In the past someone told me that even a network key can be broken.
Is there any extra security or should I just have a random password ie no specific name or numbers...?

I am in the process of reinstalling, so in about 2 hrs I will let you know if I still have the connection loss issues.

Your password/passphrase can be up to 63 characters long so its up to you, all you need to do is remember it;)

[chris9486]

Well my laptop has been reinstalled with the product recovery cd.

I still have the problem. :(

All I installed was Utorrent. No anti virus. Nothing else. No windows updates.

I have come to the conclusion it is some outside interference because at midnight my connection just goes mental!

I am going to have to wait god knows how long till VM decide to send these 'sniffer' people out. I am going to call them tomorrow because I don't think it is fair for me to pay what I am when I am not being provided with the service I am paying for. :(

[homealone]

Well my laptop has been reinstalled with the product recovery cd.

I still have the problem. :(

All I installed was Utorrent. No anti virus. Nothing else. No windows updates.

I have come to the conclusion it is some outside interference because at midnight my connection just goes mental!

I am going to have to wait god knows how long till VM decide to send these 'sniffer' people out. I am going to call them tomorrow because I don't think it is fair for me to pay what I am when I am not being provided with the service I am paying for. :(

why don't you try it without the p2p app?

[SteevieNiteHeat]

For now just use your laptop with Ethernet lead to the modem, as far as I am aware, virgin do not support routers ( unless it is their own )

I guess you might have to come to terms with the fact that you will have to use a wired connection from now on, it sucks but hey, its better than keep having your current problem

[CrowmanUK]

Theres a program that you can use that will show the wireless networks in your area and show you the noise levels associated with them, its called netstumbler and i've given it a whirl and it picked up my connection fine, no noise on it thank god!

http://stumbler.net/

its in the download section on the right, when you first start it it will disconnect your internet connection as it uses your wireless card to search for any wireless connections in your area. It'll show what channels the connections are on too so if there are any that are close you'll be able to change channels and avoid them. The program is fairly easy to use, just look at the connections that jump up and you should see your connection. Any problems post here and i'll see if I can guide you down the path I went.

[chris9486]

Theres a program that you can use that will show the wireless networks in your area and show you the noise levels associated with them, its called netstumbler and i've given it a whirl and it picked up my connection fine, no noise on it thank god!

http://stumbler.net/

its in the download section on the right, when you first start it it will disconnect your internet connection as it uses your wireless card to search for any wireless connections in your area. It'll show what channels the connections are on too so if there are any that are close you'll be able to change channels and avoid them. The program is fairly easy to use, just look at the connections that jump up and you should see your connection. Any problems post here and i'll see if I can guide you down the path I went.

It says it doesnt support my realtek wireless RTL8187B adaptor.

I 'think' I have resolved my issue. I use the word think loosely, I did a firmware upgrade and for some reason I have 2 extra wireless channels now, 12 and 13. I switched it to 13 and also G only. I've left utorrent on for an hour and no loss of connection according to the graph which is unusual as I normally have 3 or 4 losses an hour!. I am going to leave it for another 2 hours and see if its the same. Then I will do two hours tomorrow and see if it is resolved totally.

[CrowmanUK]

Good stuff mate, fingers crossed. I know from experience that its a right pain when the connection is all over the place.

[Jelly Bean]

Virgin do not support routers,this dont mean they block a router.

You can use your own wireless router with Virginmedia.

Thank god for Virginmedia.

[chris9486]

Virgin do not support routers,this dont mean they block a router.

You can use your own wireless router with Virginmedia.

Thank god for Virginmedia.

They do support routers but only the ones you buy from them which I did. If you read my original post you would of realised this!

---------- Post added at 15:49 ---------- Previous post was at 15:48 ----------

Good stuff mate, fingers crossed. I know from experience that its a right pain when the connection is all over the place.

Everything seems good now. The firmware update which gave me extra wireless channels seems to be the solution. It drops connection probably once a day but it is so fast at re-connecting I hardly notice unless I have the utorrent graph to show me.

Thank you everyone for the help!!

[chris9486]

Ok I found the actual issue!

Vista SP1.

Because during the process of finding the fault I reinstalled vista. Well last night sp1 was installed. All day today I had issues with my connection failing again!

I just uninstalled sp1 and its back to normal!!

[LaineY]

lol :S wtf...
dodgy copy?

btw.. UTORRENT has a tendency to LOCK UP your connection..
i had issues with it for about 9 months.. then realised it was actually UTORRENT that was disconnecting me.

i think UTORRENT is bugged.. you are better off using VZUE
if u have no uploads going or downloads it STILL locks your connection up..
i specifically saw it with the Scientific Atlanta Modems.
Azuerus VZUE

I find it a tad strange Vista SP1 is the cause of this...somethings not making sense there

[chris9486]

lol :S wtf...
dodgy copy?

btw.. UTORRENT has a tendency to LOCK UP your connection..
i had issues with it for about 9 months.. then realised it was actually UTORRENT that was disconnecting me.

i think UTORRENT is bugged.. you are better off using VZUE
if u have no uploads going or downloads it STILL locks your connection up..
i specifically saw it with the Scientific Atlanta Modems.
Azuerus VZUE

I find it a tad strange Vista SP1 is the cause of this...somethings not making sense there

I don't like that accusation of a dodgy copy of Vista. It came with my laptop thank you very much. I do not believe in copyright infringement. I spent £380 on CS3 Design Premium from college on a student discount. I could've easily downloaded it if I wanted.

A quick google search on "Vista SP1 Causing Network Issues" will show you a hell of alot of people with the same problem as me!

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Vista+SP1+Causing+Network+Issues&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a

utorrent didn't disconnect once yesterday after I removed SP1. So that is not the problem. Of course if I am downloading it does make everything else internet wise, slow. That is to be expected!

I do not have a scientific atlanta modem either. What is it with people on here not reading the actual thread starting post?

Isnt it strange how as soon as SP1 goes on, my connection to the router drops, but as soon as I uninstalled it, my connection is fine.

[cybernetic_tiger]

What is it with people on here not reading the actual thread starting post?


Theres no need to be quite so abrasive; people are only trying to help.

Also you said in your first post:


I'd like to state my laptop works fine wirelessly at my work and parents.


So if it works fine everywhere but your house it cannot be a SP1 issue. It's more likely to be a capacity issue on the router. When using Torrents and NAT/PAT it takes a large amount of memory and power to maintain the forwarding tables in the router this can be too much for low powered routers to handle. This happens as you can have hundreds of sources in a swarm and maintaining connections to these peers slows everything down.

Also in the current climate of swarm monitoring Torrents are not a good place to be!! but each to their own.