Bizzare internet connection problem

[Guest]

This problem is driving me Crazy. I have two computers attached via ethernet cable to an actiontec 1524 DSL home gateway. Both computers are running XP pro sp1. The DSL gateway is configured with PPPoA as instructed by the ISP. Both computers are set up alike as far as TCP/IP is concerned, both set up for auto detection. Both computers have the latest NIC drivers. The setups are identically as far as I can see. Both computers can communicate fine with each other most of the time. Here is the problem. Computer #1 randomly loses connection to the internet, and cannot be reconnected without rebooting. Computer #2 never has this problem, except at those infrequent times that the DSL Gateway needs to be rebooted. When connection is lost, #1 may ping its own IP but not the gateway or the other computer. At these times #1 will not communicate with #2 either. Rebooting #1 seems to be the only surefire way to at least allow steps to be made to reconnect. Here is another tidbit. I go into the connections, and #1 shows the LAN is enabled, but the internet connection is disconnected. This is a constant, whether #1 is actually connected or not. When I try to connect through this page, I get a connection failed message. I cant reach the properties for the internet connection. #2 has none of these problems. It shows the internet is connected all of the time. Except the Network neighborhood screen, all other indications for #1 show it to be connected
Can I set up a PPPoE connection to the DSL or does it have to be PPPoA from the computer all the way to the ISP? Does anyone have any ideas if I might have missed some setting somewhere, or should I be looking for a software conflict

Sorry for such a long post, but thank you in advance
I am including my email in case of a direct response.

 

[Haus]

Hello
This sounds like a problem with the gateway device and not the computer
settings.
Have you tried setting the gateway to Obtain IP address Automatically.
Check to see if there is any firmware updates for your gateway device via
the manufacturers website.

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Hope This Helps
Haus
Not a MS-MVP
Not a MVP
Not nothing, just a good ole boy.