Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

Hi all,

I've just signed up for this forum after searching for a problem I am having so hopefully someone can help out!

I have Virgin Media 10 mb connection, 2 XP machines and an Ipod Touch which all connect to internet fine via cable modem and Netgear WGR614v9 wireless router.

I have recently started using a Windows 7 machine but as soon as it switches on it causes the other machines to lose connection. The Win7 machine doesnt keep connection either.

I have been looking on the internet the last few days for a fix but all I have found is to upgrade the router - but then I read VM don't support this and I cant login to the router to check the settings.

I have also read something about IPv6 on the Win7 machine is it worth disabling this?

Any advice greatly appreciated!

Thanks
PW1008

Re: Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

As far as I know your xp machines won't run ipv6 unless you install and manually activate it. Anyway I've taken out ipv6 on my win7 machines and have no problems with the xp machine I have.

Re: Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

What IP is the win7 PC getting?? Just that it sounds like it's either an IP conflict or MAC conflict

Moved to Networking forum

Re: Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

I don't think IPv6 causes connection problems. I use an IPv6 Teredo tunnel on whatever network I've joined wirelessly on my laptop, and it doesn't make everything else disconnect. Having said that, I don't use the Homegroup feature as it uses IPv6 by default and makes it harder when sharing folders with other devices.

As I've been saying for about a year now, Windows 7 is great if you know how to set it up.

Re: Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

I'll check when i get home to see what its getting. It does seem to be like an IP conflict but I cant understand why.

Its not my laptop, its a house mates but its interfering with my internet big time.

Re: Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

does he use norton internet security?

Re: Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

If you can't get it to work, I can confirm that I had none of these issues with that same router using the latest Netgear firmware. That VM firmware is rather old and can cause a number of issues.

Re: Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

Are you using a Toshiba or a Mac, or is the settings set to 5Ghz band?

Re: Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

Hi Andy,

Did you upgrade a VM router to the latest firmware?Also to upgrade do you connect laptop to the router with an ethernet cable or do it wirelessly? I've logged into the router via Firefox did you upgrade from here if so which file did you use - i downloaded the zip file from the netgear website but not sure whether I can upgrade from here

Re: Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

Yes, I did update it. Yes, it is essential you use a wired connection to do it. No, you can't do it the normal way. Oh, and you need the file contained in the zip file, remember to unzip it first! When you've unzipped it though you can't simply flash it, as it's not a VM firmware and the router will refuse to let you.

I have explained how to un-VM your router on these forums before. I get criticised if I do because VM won't support your router if you do this, and as with any firmware update it is possible to brick your router. If you do things right though, that risk is minimal.

Search for my posts if you are willing to take the risk. The router is very cheap and easily replaced by buying a new one, but neither VM nor Netgear will support your router once you've flashed it. If that matters to you.

I still use my old router as a 2.4GHz wireless access point for my Superhub (running in 5GHz mode). It was way better for me with the latest Netgear firmware from their web site. If you do it, read carefully and take your time to do it right. It's not hard really, I've never bricked a device when flashing ever, and I've flashed a lot.

Re: Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

ok, its getting a bit more complicated now, I'm pretty clueless when it comes to this network stuff!

Re: Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

I would agree with Kymmy. Normally the PC will tell you if there is an IP conflict on the network (LAN).

If it's your mates computer, check one of you are not using fixed IP - the same fixed IP. I use fixed IP but then I am the only one on my network, so can easily manage it.

DHCP should work around fixed IPs anyway.

I use Win7 with many other media devices strewn around the house and never had had a problem.

Re: Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

try disabling the Windows Media Player Network Sharing service on the Windows 7 machine(s). A friend of mine suffered pretty much what you described at seemingly random times where his main machine would suddenly hang, drop network or crash. turns out it was every time someone else in his house switched on their Windows 7 laptop. after stopping the service on the laptops, he hasn't once had a hang...

worth a go. let us know.

Re: Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

Thanks I'll try that - just trying to upgrade the firmware but struggling !

Re: Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

Interesting finding. One of three computers running Windows 7 still has that enabled and I do get the odd glitch I have been attributing to DD-WRT firmware issues but maybe it's that. Gotta be worth a try... that service is worthless now I have a combined server/NAS thing going on for SMB or FTP streaming.

Re: Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

any updates on this??

Re: Windows 7 causing other machines to disconnect from broadband
 

Hiya,

I tried to upgrade the firmware, but couldnt get it to work so took the easy way out and swapped routers with a mate who only uses one machine but has a standard (non virgin media) router. I had to get it to work because I needed to work from home for a few days. It works fine with multiple machines and the windows 7 machine.

If I get around to I'll swap them back over and try disabling the Windows Media Player Network Sharing service on the Windows 7 machine.

I'd say it must be a problem with the software on the virgin media router I had with windows 7 machines