Linksys router dropping connection constantly 1

[mlayng]

I have Comcast cable modem service which has always worked seemlessly (no dropped connection) until I installed a Linksys 4 port router. Since setting up the router I get dropped constantly. Sometimes I will turn on the machine and it will run fine with no connection loss other times it will drop the connection every 2 minutes (literally). I have to release and renew the IP to regain conectivity and sometimes this only lasts for a minute or two. I am set up for DHCP through the cable modem and I have configured the router settings for the same. Under advisement of Linksys tech support I have also set the MTU to 1500 but I am still loosing connectivity. I do run Zone Alarm but I have it set to allow IE full access. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[sabakca]

I see many replies to this thread talking about either a problem with the modem/bridge, router or provider. I am having similar problems with my connection dropping at least 2 to 3 times a day. After a reset of the router and only the router everything is back to normal. In some cases I had to power down the modem (I have dsl with a speed stream modem) or call SBC to reset the circuit, but it is very rare. In most cases it is my router. I have a BEFSX41 using the VPN to connect to my network at the job. The other end is a Linksys WRV54G which in most cases works flawlessly but I have had to reset it on occasions.

In any case I do want to share some things I have found that might make a network more dependable. One thing that made a major difference was to forward all DNS to another computer and not the router. In a DHCP setup this is not the case but for me it made a major difference. Use windows or Linux DHCP and DNS or resolve directly to your provider (assign the ip address for DNS of the network card to your provider and not of your router) and let the router "route" information. Also if you are using VPN any type of heavy transfers will peg the processor on the router since it is a separate process and slows the router to a crawl in turn forcing a reset of the router. Last is the suggestion of not running encryption although I know many have their home network lock down tighter than most businesses, regardless it does create some overhead which could translate to problems.

Just adding my 2 cents. But if you are getting really tired of all of the trouble a cisco 2600 does wonders if you can find one on Ebay

 

[ANFPS26]

Looks to me like dondoucette found the problem. Evidently these routers have defective capacitors that need replacing.
I would either repair it like he did or buy a different brand and forget it.

Jim

 

[Knockturnal]

Ok, so I recently purchased both a Linksys wireless usb adapter and router. Set everything up and like all the other's was getting dropped like every 5-45 minutes. So I checked around online see if there were any quick fixes or maybe something I over looked and read that this happens quite often with Linksys. So I went out and exchanged the router for a Netgear wireless router and I kept the Linksys usb adapter and happy to say no more problems, Havent had one lost connection yet.

 

[1971240z]

I have been having the same problem with my linksys router. I have had it running on Comcast for about 1.5 years and have had no problem. Before that I had Optimum online and had no problems. Anyway something happened and I see that some other people have said that when there router was a year old when this started happening. Well my router is about three or four years old. I have had it so long that I can not remember. Anyway, My ISP is Comcast now and I have been calling them when I have a problem and have been getting different answers each time I call. One time they told me that there were some problems on the network and the pinged my modem and then everything was fine. Next they told me that this happens sometimes and that I needed to turn off my computer then my router and then my modem. Wait one minute and then turn everything back on in the reverse order waiting 30 seconds in between. This last time I just called today and I have to say that I am at the end of my rope. They tell me that I need to plug my computer directly into the modem. From what I have seen and heard from other Comcast users, they will take your MAC from you computer NIC and you will then need to clone it on the router to make it work. Well when I first set up my connection two years ago, I hooked up my router first. This way Comcast would get the MAC of my router and I would not have to clone. So, I told them that if I connected my computer direct and they take my MAC and I am forced to clone it on my router that I was going to be pissed. Well they then tell me that if I would like to have more then one computer that I should get Comcast business. I said why I do not have a business. The person reassured me that Comcast does not take the MAC of the computers NIC only the MAC of the cable Modem. I said OK and did what they said and it worked. Once I was done I told them that now we are going to re connect the router and it should still work and I should not have to clone my MAC. They said yes. I reconnected and it worked. Now I am working, but I do not know how long it will last. My take on this is that the ISP’s are trying to get people to pay for every computer that they put on the internet and are doing something to cause problems for people that have routers and are not paying for there added support. As I said earlier I have had my router for around four years with no problems and Comcast for two with no problems. I do not think it is the router because nothing has changed in my router and Comcast had the real MAC of my router right from the start. It all comes down to MONEY. The ISP’s want us to pay for every computer we put on the internet. Companies like linksys are helping us not have to pay, but the ISP’s are going to keep trying to stop them unless we PAY FOR ADDED SUPORT. My next step is that I am going to run without my router and see if I get dropped. If I do then it is not the router. If I do not then it might be the router, but I really think that it all comes down to one thing. MONEY and the ISPs want more of it form use.

 

[technome]

Use the pathping command. Pathping through the vpn tunnel to the other end , you should have few if any lost packets.

Unlikely, butI have also seen a couple of linksys units with bad capacitors, which would require opening the units, checking for expanded capacitors, sides or the tops.

Linksys units should be on battery backup units.

Download TCP Optimizer, and check the MTU..

http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php

I run quite a few Linksys units, no many problems

........................................
Chernobyl disaster..a must see pictorial

http://www.kiddofspeed.com/default.htm

 

[Primis]

Another thign to try... go into your network adapter properties under your Device Manager and take it off Auto or AutoDetect for Duplex -- manually set it to 100 Full or 100 Half and see if it helps. 2 out 3 times it seems to fix it. If it doesn't change it back to Auto.

I had this problem over my DSL, a friend had the same problem over Comcast. It fixed 2 of my 3 machines, and fixed 1 of his 2.

BEFSR41's do not like the Duplex set to Auto in some cases. I don't know why. Linksys' firmware has just gone to pot, is what I chalked it up to. I used to swear by them, now I just swear at them.

I too finally gave up and went with a different router though -- I got 2 of my 3 machines goign fine after manually setting the Duplex, but the 3rd (naturally my main one) still wouldn't.

I will be curious to open the BEFSR41 up though as per dondoucette's suggestion. I stil have it and if I can get it fully fixed...