Troubleshooting network questions

[Ofina]

I don't know which forum I should be in. My router is not Cisco, but I can't find a general forum.

We've been having a problem since Monday evening.

We have our internet coming into the house and going into a modem, from there into a router and from there to one wired desktop and one wireless desktop.

The wireless computer can not access any site (except google, strangely), even though the tools say that the signal strength coming from the router is excellent.

The wired computer occasionally loses its connection. Four times since Monday evening. We have to reset each part in sequence - reset modem, reset router then reboot computer - to get it back. It is not the ISP's issue.

I'm wondering if we need a new router and/or wireless card. The ones that we have are only a little over 3 years old though. And, they've been flawless until now.

Thanks for any help.

 

[North323]

take your wired pc and see if you have issues directly connected to ISP provided modem. if that is cool, make sure your router you do have is up to latest firmware and it sees the ISP modem. Your wireless...i know dumb question but are you on your own wireless AP? I have seen routers go bad. did you have a power surge or storm on monday eve?

 

[Ofina]

Make that now 5 times since Monday evening.
I'll try taking the router out and see if I keep my connection on the wired pc.

I have no idea how to check firmware, nor do I know how to check if it sees the modem.

Wireless AP? Sorry, networking is not my forte.

No storm Monday evening, nor any noticeable power surge.

 

[Ofina]

Okay, did this test (removed router) about 3 hours ago and haven't lost my connection since then. I'd like to put it back in and see what happens just to make sure that it wasn't a fluke.

What does this mean? Does this mean that we need a new router?

 

[scobecben]

I think you're on the right track here Ofina. I'm not sure how much time elapsed while you were on the modem only, but I would give it a solid week before you change back to your wireless router.

If in fact you don't lose connectivity during that week while directly connected to your modem, go ahead and go back to your initial setup with the router and see what happens.

If in fact you are seeing the same issue at that point, you have two options.
1) Swap out you wireless router for a new one
OR
2) Upgrade the firmware (to find the firmware you need to "log into" your router and look in there. Some routers can go out to the internet and look for updates on their site and some you have to go to the site yourself and look for them under the support tab)

I hope this helps.