NTL 250 and Netgear WGR614v3 connection slow, drops + others

[jo_turner]

Firstly, many thanks for reading and, secondly, I hope you can help.

I am really frustrated with my wifi connection and I am sure you might be able to help.

Connection
NTL 4Mb
NTL 250 Cable Modem
Netgear WGR614V3
2 Laptops (Dell XPS Gen 2, HP (something))
1 Network Printer (HP Photosmart 2575)

Speed Test
73ms
D: 3947kpbs
U: 381
http://www.speedtest.net/

Set-up
Netgear wired to NTL 250
Currently IP and DNS assigned automatically. Default MAC address used. All firewalls off.
Printer ethernet
Dell mixed (static route set-up)
HP (something) mainly wireless

(don't know if this helps - Netgear)
UPNP - On
RIP - On
DHCP - On

Background
I used to use the same router through the set-top box about 1.5years ago and it was fine. Now I am using it through the NTL 250 cable modem and its not!

Initially, the connection WAS very slow (127kbps). After researching, I turned off all the firewalls and things picked up considerably. I used static routes (?) by assigning IP address and DNS manually.

I use the Dell laptop (so this is my base for the problems).

Problems
1. When using the Dell wirelessly, the connection works well for about 30-60 mins and then drops. Repairing or disabling/enabling does not resolve the issue and I need to reset the router and modem. Sometimes the laptop fails to connect to the router and other times the router connection is fine.

2. For prolonged use, I need to use the ethernet connection. This can't just be plugged in and often requires a hardware reset (of the modem + router)

3. It would appear that when the HP is being used, if I power up the Dell, then the connection is lost for both of us.

4. I have tried various combinations of static / assigned IP, DNS, etc. DHCP on and off (yeah, I know but I was new to this).

Desired Outcome
I just want it to work. To be able to use both laptops and not have to reset the router/modem 3-4 times a day

I am sure this is all human error, but I just don't know what else to try. It's driving me mad having to always be in the living room. I have called NTL and they were... well... probably as helpful as they could be.

Can anyone help? I would really appreciate pointing in the right direction. (please let me know if you need more info)

Thanks

[janipewter]

There is a recurring problem with that specific router model and high speed Internet connections. Search on Google, you'll find loads of results. Hell, even I had one and I had that exact problem, so have 3 other people that I know.

From what I could find on the net, the router has issues handling certain connection speeds because of a certain value (I can't remember what now) being hard coded in to the router. Therefore after a while it would panic and drop the connection. You could tell when it did so, as the WAN light would turn off, the LAN and WLAN lights would continue to flash but a lot more dimly, and nothing would work on the network.

I got very annoyed at having to reset mine near enough every couple of hours; eventually I threw it against a wall.

The best thing you can do is get a new router - I recommend the Linksys WRT54G. I have the GL model now and it works flawlessly with my 10Mb connection, I've never had to reset it and I think it currently has over 2 months uptime (only rebooted because of firmware upgrade) and has never dropped my connection.

Hope this has been of help to you.

PS: If you get a message on your laptop that the connection has died (IE it says it has lost wireless connection) then it is ONLY the router you need to reboot, not the modem. The modem will still be there, attempting to chat to the router but nothing will be happening, albeit it will still be on.

[Paul K]

Strange, I have that router and downloaded 2Gb of data Saturday (MS beta download) without a speed drop. Have you tried upgrading the firmware to the latest version?
Can you post a link to the info about the hardcoded problem?

[janipewter]

http://www.google.com/search?q=wgr614+drop+connection

---------- Post added at 14:22 ---------- Previous post was at 14:21 ----------

More specifically:

http://reviews.cnet.com/NetGear_WGR6...1&cval=1060191

Pros:
It worked for about 6 months


Cons:
Overheats and requires reboots several times a day


Full user opinion
If you go to Netgear's own forum's (in their support section) you'll find that a lot of users have been complaining about these routers overheating and dropping their connections. The problem extends even up to the 624. Some owners have reported failures as early as day 1 of ownership. Solutions range from ripping open the case, adding heatsinks, to installing fans on the unit. Why go through all that bother?

Netgear's own techs are either clueless or refuse to acknowledge the probem. I've finally given up on it.

[jo_turner]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your time replying. Whilst I would have loved a cheap solution, I am glad to hear that I am not the only problem!

Janipewter - I will have a read and see if I can find another router to test if that is better. I never thought that it would be the Netgear router at fault. I have Fon's 'La Fonera' kicking around, so I will see if that will work. If so, I will go and buy the one you suggested.

Paul - Many thanks. I will double check the firmware version.

Take care