Router turns off when using laptop have to reset it to correct (why)

[FTLOSM]

Hello,

I have comcast cable and a netgear WGR614 v3 router, the router has the newest updated firmware, my hardwired pcs that run thru the router work great and are all xp based home or pro versions, my 2 laptops also work great with the router (both xp home), but after an hour or two of using my main laptop Alienware M3450 xp home (I can use the wired pcs for days no issues) but within a few hrs of using my laptop wireless the connection drops and nothing I do on wired or wireless can get it back except unplugging and replugging router in to reset it.

The strange part is the laptop still shows that I am connected with excellent signal, but usually within 2 hrs or less I just lose the connection / nothing works (email, web etc) I get up check my wired pc and those too to make sure it isn't something wrong with my laptop, and even the wired pc doesn't work (I never have this issue when using the wired pcs for days on end btw).

I don't have any 2.4 ghz phones or anything happening at the same time as this that I can say ah that was it, I have tried using different channels on the router, even dropped security levels from wpa to wep and dropping wep from 128 to 64 bit thinking maybe it was something to do with wpa, wep or the higher version of wep but none of that has fixed it.

I even read a tip in pc mag about losing laptop connection and I went into device manager for the intel card on my laptop and turned off (unchecked) the box that says let windows turn this device off to save power) cuz I thought maybe windows was turning off the card signal since this only happens on the laptop but that too didn't fix anything and since when it happens I also lose my wired pcs it made me think it has something to do more with the router than my pc card but hey I was just trying...

Just trying to get an idea or two what else I might check or do here, I am even ready to just buy a new router or something but hate to waste the $$ on that especially if there is something else I can check or do here to fix this issue.

Thanks to anyone with ideas or suggestions I will try them and reply back as this is driving me a bit batty and has me stumped.

Bill

 

[FTLOSM]

I did want to add that this does happen when using either of my laptops, and the effect is the same (knocks out hardwired pcs as well when it happens).

It doesn't correct itself once it happens, laptops still show connected even but closing and opening wifi they then say that can't connect, even tried windows fix my connection option that does no good too.

And since this also effects the hard wired pcs to me all fingers point to the router altho I have updated the firmware, nothing is near the router (cable modem other powered items etc), have tried different channels, changed wpa to wep and such, no 2.4 ghz items or microwaves running etc, and it seems to happen only when using one of the laptops (altho i rarely use the second laptop it does do the same thing) but has never happened using the wired pcs.

I am sure there are things I have forgot to add here but wanted to add this bit of info in hopes it might help more?

 

[gbaughma]

We were just having a discussion about linksys routers.

If your PC attempts to open up more than 255 sessions, it will barf.

That can happen if you're getting torrents, etc.



Just my 2¢
"Life gets mighty precious when there's less of it to waste." -Bonnie Raitt "Nick of Time"
--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[FTLOSM]

Not using anything like bit torrent at the moment but I didn't even think of that...

I should also clarify that it is aprox 2 hrs of use when this happens, it has been as fast as 15 mins and as long as 2-3 hrs but it does happen EVERYTIME i use the laptops, just happens at different times, sometimes just surfing the web, sometimes while doing an email (then i find out when i try to send it) no rhyme or reason that I can seem to find as to when or why, just happens during basic use at radom times and only when using the wireless of the router, but then it also knocks out the wired pcs and will NOT work until i reset the router.

I might just buy another router but man I hate to blow $50+ bucks and maybe not fix the problem, I did btw also try going back a step firmware version wise, thinking maybe the netgear newest firmware was buggy, that too didn't fix it so I went back to the newest version of the firmware.

 

[gbaughma]

You know, I misread... when I saw the netgear model number, my brain associated it with a linksys router number.

So, if you're working on a laptop, and it happens, resetting the netgear fixes it? You don't have to do anything with the laptop?

You may try changing your wireless channel.

Additionally, try moving the unit; I've seen radios that have had problems and shut down because of reflected power coming back into the radio.

Just some ideas for you....



Just my 2¢
"Life gets mighty precious when there's less of it to waste." -Bonnie Raitt "Nick of Time"
--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[FTLOSM]

I did move the router and cable modem apart from each other, didn't seem to make a difference but could move the router again, also have tried a few different channels but hasn't fixed it either, but sure will try another channel and moving it again.

On the laptops and the wired pcs nothing works internet wise until i unplug and replug in the router, cable modem is fully lit and operational, and I dont lose signal when using the wired pcs all day long everyday, only when i pull my laptops out (either one) then the router acts up and I need to go unplug and replug in to get it to work again.

Seems more and more to be router issue based, I even tried dropping the signal from G to B thinking who knows maybe it will fix things, but still no luck...

 

[firewolfrl]

move the router to a new spot if possible.
plug the laptop's wired lan in to see if the router still faults...if it does you know that it is the 255 issue

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1336095

if the router does not fault then you need to either contact Netgear tech support and maybe RMA the router (this could take up to three weeks without internet) or buy a decent new router (I don't recommend Linksys)
I am betting that your issue is a bad wireless unit in the router itself....
have you tested your laptop anywhere else?

good luck