general question re resetting/renewing IP connection

[Dave Horne]

First, I'm not sure if this is the best forum for this question, so if it is
not, please advise.

I have a general question re network settings under Vista Home Premium. On
occasion, during busy times of the day, my cable modem will indicate that
the connection is lost. If I manually unplug the power cable to the cable
modem and router, wait until 15 or so seconds, and reconnect the cables, I
can usually suceed in obtaining a connection. I assume the computer looks
and finds a new address from my IP.

Under Vista, using cmd.exe (elevated), I tried ipconfig /renew but
received the following message - An error occured while renewing interface
Local Area Connection : unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has
timed out. [end quote]

My question, apart from manually disconnecting the power cables from my
modem and router, is there any other way to obtain a new IP address from my
provider when the 'circuits are over loaded'?

Thanks, Dave Horne

 

[Sinner]

First, I'm not sure if this is the best forum for this question, so if it
is not, please advise.

I have a general question re network settings under Vista Home Premium.
On occasion, during busy times of the day, my cable modem will indicate
that the connection is lost. If I manually unplug the power cable to the
cable modem and router, wait until 15 or so seconds, and reconnect the
cables, I can usually suceed in obtaining a connection. I assume the
computer looks and finds a new address from my IP.

Under Vista, using cmd.exe (elevated), I tried ipconfig /renew but
received the following message - An error occured while renewing interface
Local Area Connection : unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has
timed out. [end quote]

My question, apart from manually disconnecting the power cables from my
modem and router, is there any other way to obtain a new IP address from
my provider when the 'circuits are over loaded'?

Most cable ISPs don't change your IP address very frequently. You'd have to
be off-line for at least 2 days before they'd change it out. At least
that's the way Comcast works around here.

 

[Dave Horne]

First, I'm not sure if this is the best forum for this question, so if it
is not, please advise.

I have a general question re network settings under Vista Home Premium.
On occasion, during busy times of the day, my cable modem will indicate
that the connection is lost. If I manually unplug the power cable to the
cable modem and router, wait until 15 or so seconds, and reconnect the
cables, I can usually suceed in obtaining a connection. I assume the
computer looks and finds a new address from my IP.

Under Vista, using cmd.exe (elevated), I tried ipconfig /renew but
received the following message - An error occured while renewing
interface Local Area Connection : unable to contact your DHCP server.
Request has timed out. [end quote]

My question, apart from manually disconnecting the power cables from my
modem and router, is there any other way to obtain a new IP address from
my provider when the 'circuits are over loaded'?

Most cable ISPs don't change your IP address very frequently. You'd have
to be off-line for at least 2 days before they'd change it out. At least
that's the way Comcast works around here.

That may be, but I've found by manually unplugging the modem and router, and
reconnecting, I can more often than not get back online.

I was wondering if there is a software version (ipconfig \renew) of the
manual unplugging? Thanks, DH

 

[Gordon]

First, I'm not sure if this is the best forum for this question, so if
it is not, please advise.

I have a general question re network settings under Vista Home Premium.
On occasion, during busy times of the day, my cable modem will indicate
that the connection is lost. If I manually unplug the power cable to
the cable modem and router, wait until 15 or so seconds, and reconnect
the cables, I can usually suceed in obtaining a connection. I assume
the computer looks and finds a new address from my IP.

Under Vista, using cmd.exe (elevated), I tried ipconfig /renew but
received the following message - An error occured while renewing
interface Local Area Connection : unable to contact your DHCP server.
Request has timed out. [end quote]

My question, apart from manually disconnecting the power cables from my
modem and router, is there any other way to obtain a new IP address from
my provider when the 'circuits are over loaded'?

Most cable ISPs don't change your IP address very frequently. You'd have
to be off-line for at least 2 days before they'd change it out. At least
that's the way Comcast works around here.

That may be, but I've found by manually unplugging the modem and router,
and reconnecting, I can more often than not get back online.

I was wondering if there is a software version (ipconfig \renew) of the
manual unplugging? Thanks, DH

Try right-clicking on the network icon in the systray and choosing "diagnose
and repair"....

 

[daleeh]

Dave,
The symptoms you describe would indicate a problem with the ISP
connection, not your computer. If the modem indicates lost connection
on the Internet side, then that is something you need to address to
you ISP. You mentioned a cable modem but not the ISP. I have Comcast
and the last time I experienced similar problems, they had to replace
the modem.

One way to ensure Vista is working properly with your router is to
make sure the router DHCP service is configured correctly. Then the
best way to reacquire an IP on your computer is first use the
IPCONFIG /release command to release the IP and then IPCONFIG /renew
to reacquire an IP. Also, I've heard that it helps in Vista to turn
off the IPv6 service unless your router specifically supports it.

When restarting your modem and router, it works best to shut down the
router, then the modem, disconnect the incoming cable to the modem,
wait about 5 or 10 minutes, then reconnect the cable, power up the
modem and wait until its lights indicate a good connection on the WAN
or Internet side, then power up the router. Wait about 5 more minutes
to allow you computer to acquire an IP address from the router or run
the IPCONFIG commands in sequence.

Hope this helps,

Dale

 

[Sinner]

He may not have a router. In which case, the modem is supplying the IP
address


Dave,
The symptoms you describe would indicate a problem with the ISP
connection, not your computer. If the modem indicates lost connection
on the Internet side, then that is something you need to address to
you ISP. You mentioned a cable modem but not the ISP. I have Comcast
and the last time I experienced similar problems, they had to replace
the modem.

One way to ensure Vista is working properly with your router is to
make sure the router DHCP service is configured correctly. Then the
best way to reacquire an IP on your computer is first use the
IPCONFIG /release command to release the IP and then IPCONFIG /renew
to reacquire an IP. Also, I've heard that it helps in Vista to turn
off the IPv6 service unless your router specifically supports it.

When restarting your modem and router, it works best to shut down the
router, then the modem, disconnect the incoming cable to the modem,
wait about 5 or 10 minutes, then reconnect the cable, power up the
modem and wait until its lights indicate a good connection on the WAN
or Internet side, then power up the router. Wait about 5 more minutes
to allow you computer to acquire an IP address from the router or run
the IPCONFIG commands in sequence.

Hope this helps,

Dale

 

[daleeh]

Since he stated "If I manually unplug the power cable to the cable
modem and router..." I have to assume he has both.

Dave, please clarify and maybe give us the make and model of each
device.

Dale

He may not have a router.  In which case, the modem is supplying the IP
address


Dave,
The symptoms you describe would indicate a problem with the ISP
connection, not your computer.  If the modem indicates lost connection
on the Internet side, then that is something you need to address to
you ISP.  You mentioned a cable modem but not the ISP.  I have Comcast
and the last time I experienced similar problems, they had to replace
the modem.

One way to ensure Vista is working properly with your router is to
make sure the router DHCP service is configured correctly.  Then the
best way to reacquire an IP on your computer is first use the
IPCONFIG /release command to release the IP and then IPCONFIG /renew
to reacquire an IP.  Also, I've heard that it helps in Vista to turn
off the IPv6 service unless your router specifically supports it.

When restarting your modem and router, it works best to shut down the
router, then the modem, disconnect the incoming cable to the modem,
wait about 5 or 10 minutes, then reconnect the cable, power up the
modem and wait until its lights indicate a good connection on the WAN
or Internet side, then power up the router.  Wait about 5 more minutes
to allow you computer to acquire an IP address from the router or run
the IPCONFIG commands in sequence.

Hope this helps,

Dale

First, I'm not sure if this is the best forum for this question, so if it
is
not, please advise.

I have a general question re network settings under Vista Home Premium.On
occasion, during busy times of the day, my cable modem will indicate that
the connection is lost. If I manually unplug the power cable to the cable
modem and router, wait until 15 or so seconds, and reconnect the cables, I
can usually suceed in obtaining a connection. I assume the computer looks
and finds a new address from my IP.

Under Vista, using cmd.exe (elevated), I tried ipconfig /renew but
received the following message - An error occured while renewing interface
Local Area Connection : unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has
timed out. [end quote]

My question, apart from manually disconnecting the power cables from my
modem and router, is there any other way to obtain a new IP address from
my
provider when the 'circuits are over loaded'?

Thanks, Dave Horne- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

 

[Sinner]

Since he stated "If I manually unplug the power cable to the cable
modem and router..." I have to assume he has both.

Oops!

 

[Dave Horne]

My modem and router work just fine. There are times during the day (when
kids come home from school and parents come home from work) that I can not
_sometimes_ access the internet. This is just a question of too many folks
being online at the same time. If I manually unplug the router and modem,
more often than not I can suceed in getting back online. I'm only asking if
there's a way .... (ipconfig .... ?) to do the same but using software to
obtain a new address. That's all.

Around 12 noon, when the kids come home for lunch, I can expect not to be
able to always get online and early in the evening when all the Dads comes
home from work, I can expect to have the same problem. I have the modem
next to my monitor and I can see the number of LEDs on or off (Power,
Receive, Send, Online, PC Activity, Standby). When I can't get online,
instead of seeing five LEDs, I'll see one or two or three; I can see the
modem trying to get back online and it's usually the time when the kids come
home for lunch or the parents come home from work.

My modem and router are working just fine - I jusr want to know if using,
say, ipconfig at a cmd prompt and using the resetting switch is what I can
also do (instead of manually unplugging the electric cable from both the
modem and router. Is this more clear? Thanks!

Dave Horne


Since he stated "If I manually unplug the power cable to the cable
modem and router..." I have to assume he has both.

Dave, please clarify and maybe give us the make and model of each
device.

Dale

He may not have a router. In which case, the modem is supplying the IP
address


Dave,
The symptoms you describe would indicate a problem with the ISP
connection, not your computer. If the modem indicates lost connection
on the Internet side, then that is something you need to address to
you ISP. You mentioned a cable modem but not the ISP. I have Comcast
and the last time I experienced similar problems, they had to replace
the modem.

One way to ensure Vista is working properly with your router is to
make sure the router DHCP service is configured correctly. Then the
best way to reacquire an IP on your computer is first use the
IPCONFIG /release command to release the IP and then IPCONFIG /renew
to reacquire an IP. Also, I've heard that it helps in Vista to turn
off the IPv6 service unless your router specifically supports it.

When restarting your modem and router, it works best to shut down the
router, then the modem, disconnect the incoming cable to the modem,
wait about 5 or 10 minutes, then reconnect the cable, power up the
modem and wait until its lights indicate a good connection on the WAN
or Internet side, then power up the router. Wait about 5 more minutes
to allow you computer to acquire an IP address from the router or run
the IPCONFIG commands in sequence.

Hope this helps,

Dale

First, I'm not sure if this is the best forum for this question, so if
it
is
not, please advise.

I have a general question re network settings under Vista Home Premium.
On
occasion, during busy times of the day, my cable modem will indicate
that
the connection is lost. If I manually unplug the power cable to the
cable
modem and router, wait until 15 or so seconds, and reconnect the cables,
I
can usually suceed in obtaining a connection. I assume the computer
looks
and finds a new address from my IP.

Under Vista, using cmd.exe (elevated), I tried ipconfig /renew but
received the following message - An error occured while renewing
interface
Local Area Connection : unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has
timed out. [end quote]

My question, apart from manually disconnecting the power cables from my
modem and router, is there any other way to obtain a new IP address from
my
provider when the 'circuits are over loaded'?

Thanks, Dave Horne- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

 

[Sinner]

My modem and router work just fine. There are times during the day (when
kids come home from school and parents come home from work) that I can not
_sometimes_ access the internet. This is just a question of too many
folks being online at the same time. If I manually unplug the router and
modem, more often than not I can suceed in getting back online. I'm only
asking if there's a way .... (ipconfig .... ?) to do the same but using
software to obtain a new address. That's all.

Around 12 noon, when the kids come home for lunch, I can expect not to be
able to always get online and early in the evening when all the Dads comes
home from work, I can expect to have the same problem. I have the modem
next to my monitor and I can see the number of LEDs on or off (Power,
Receive, Send, Online, PC Activity, Standby). When I can't get online,
instead of seeing five LEDs, I'll see one or two or three; I can see the
modem trying to get back online and it's usually the time when the kids
come home for lunch or the parents come home from work.

My modem and router are working just fine - I jusr want to know if using,
say, ipconfig at a cmd prompt and using the resetting switch is what I can
also do (instead of manually unplugging the electric cable from both the
modem and router. Is this more clear? Thanks!

Well, my Motorola Surfboard has a menu that will allow me to reboot it from
my computer. I just connect to 192.168.100.1, the IP address of the modem.

When it's operating normally, I connect through the router. When it's not
operating correctly, I have to plug the computer directly into the modem via
the Ethernet cable. Of course moving the Cat5 cable is no easier than
unplugging the modem's power cable.

There is no command that can be issued by Windows that will cause the modem,
or router, to reset.

 

[Charlie Tame]

My modem and router work just fine. There are times during the day
(when kids come home from school and parents come home from work) that I
can not _sometimes_ access the internet. This is just a question of too
many folks being online at the same time. If I manually unplug the
router and modem, more often than not I can suceed in getting back
online. I'm only asking if there's a way .... (ipconfig .... ?) to do
the same but using software to obtain a new address. That's all.

Around 12 noon, when the kids come home for lunch, I can expect not to
be able to always get online and early in the evening when all the Dads
comes home from work, I can expect to have the same problem. I have the
modem next to my monitor and I can see the number of LEDs on or off
(Power, Receive, Send, Online, PC Activity, Standby). When I can't get
online, instead of seeing five LEDs, I'll see one or two or three; I can
see the modem trying to get back online and it's usually the time when
the kids come home for lunch or the parents come home from work.

My modem and router are working just fine - I jusr want to know if
using, say, ipconfig at a cmd prompt and using the resetting switch is
what I can also do (instead of manually unplugging the electric cable
from both the modem and router. Is this more clear? Thanks!

Dave Horne

Dave, you say you and not always expect to get online, maybe I am being
obtuse here but unless I go offline my cable provider never kicks me off
(Except in fault conditions of course). I would assume DSL should work
the same way.

If you leave voluntarily and can't get back then your ISP has a capacity
problem, if you get kicked off then they may also have a capacity
problem but there may be some other trouble they should know about.

Another issue given that timing is involved could be local electricity
supply. DSL can be sensitive to line noise caused by industrial loads,
so if you are getting kicked off at fairly regular times could there be
a connection there> If so a UPS for the whole setup might help. Around
here I always use a UPS because the power is so dirty all kinds of
things happen.

 

[daleeh]

Dave,
I'm still not sure whether you have a Cable or a DSL connection other
then your first post where you stated "Cable".

So, I will assume cable.


You should not be "kicked" off just because other users come home for
lunch or after work. However, speed can be affected by these
conditions. If you routinely lose connections around the same time(s)
of day, then you definitely need to contact you ISP and have them
investigate trhe problem.

I once had an issue where I was disconnected once an hour, every hour,
24 hours a day. After logging the disconnections, I contacted Comcast
(my ISP) and advised them of the problem and asked them to show up at
the specific time so they could catch the problem "in the act".
Because no one else complained they were hesitant to assume they had a
problem. However, since I was persistent, they rolled a service
technician and he arrived 5 minutes before the expected outage and was
able to catch it. I showed him my logs (2 week's worth) and he saw
that the problem was repeating at exactly 20 minutes after the hour,
every hour and lasted approximately 30 seconds--just enough time to
cause problems with email and other net based applications. With this
(and my advice gleaned from 30+ years electronics experience) they
replaced the failed line amp (after they located it and dug it up) and
everyone in the neighborhood was happier since the problem affected a
lot of people beside me.


So, the moral of the story--don't hesitate to report disconnections to
you ISP. If you don't it may get worse and by complaining you may be
helping many others.

Dale

My modem and router work just fine.  There are times during the day (when
kids come home from school and parents come home from work) that I can not
_sometimes_ access the internet.  This is just a question of too many folks
being online at the same time.  If I manually unplug the router and modem,
more often than not I can suceed in getting back online.  I'm only asking if
there's a way .... (ipconfig .... ?) to do the same but using software to
obtain a new address.  That's all.

Around 12 noon, when the kids come home for lunch, I can expect not to be
able to always get online and early in the evening when all the Dads comes
home from work, I can expect to have the same problem.  I have the modem
next to my monitor and I can see the number of LEDs on or off (Power,
Receive, Send, Online, PC Activity, Standby).  When I can't get online,
instead of seeing five LEDs, I'll see one or two or three; I can see the
modem trying to get back online and it's usually the time when the kids come
home for lunch or the parents come home from work.

My modem and router are working just fine - I jusr want to know if using,
say, ipconfig at a cmd prompt and using the resetting switch is what I can
also do (instead of manually unplugging the electric cable from both the
modem and router.  Is this more clear?   Thanks!

Dave Horne


Since he stated "If I manually unplug the power cable to the cable
modem and router..." I have to assume he has both.

Dave, please clarify and maybe give us the make and model of each
device.

Dale

He may not have a router. In which case, the modem is supplying the IP
address

"daleeh" <[email protected]> wrote in message

Dave,
The symptoms you describe would indicate a problem with the ISP
connection, not your computer. If the modem indicates lost connection
on the Internet side, then that is something you need to address to
you ISP. You mentioned a cable modem but not the ISP. I have Comcast
and the last time I experienced similar problems, they had to replace
the modem.

One way to ensure Vista is working properly with your router is to
make sure the router DHCP service is configured correctly. Then the
best way to reacquire an IP on your computer is first use the
IPCONFIG /release command to release the IP and then IPCONFIG /renew
to reacquire an IP. Also, I've heard that it helps in Vista to turn
off the IPv6 service unless your router specifically supports it.

When restarting your modem and router, it works best to shut down the
router, then the modem, disconnect the incoming cable to the modem,
wait about 5 or 10 minutes, then reconnect the cable, power up the
modem and wait until its lights indicate a good connection on the WAN
or Internet side, then power up the router. Wait about 5 more minutes
to allow you computer to acquire an IP address from the router or run
the IPCONFIG commands in sequence.

Hope this helps,

Dale

First, I'm not sure if this is the best forum for this question, so if
it
is
not, please advise.
I have a general question re network settings under Vista Home Premium.
On
occasion, during busy times of the day, my cable modem will indicate
that
the connection is lost. If I manually unplug the power cable to the
cable
modem and router, wait until 15 or so seconds, and reconnect the cables,
I
can usually suceed in obtaining a connection. I assume the computer
looks
and finds a new address from my IP.
Under Vista, using cmd.exe (elevated), I tried ipconfig /renew but
received the following message - An error occured while renewing
interface
Local Area Connection : unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has
timed out. [end quote]
My question, apart from manually disconnecting the power cables from my
modem and router, is there any other way to obtain a new IP address from
my
provider when the 'circuits are over loaded'?
Thanks, Dave Horne- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

 

[Charlie Tame]

I would tend to agree 100%. They key seems to be explaining to the
senior tech that you have carefully observed a repeating issue without
talking down to him / her.

Our cable almost never goes down for any length of time, so if the ISP
is unaware of the problem it may be exactly as you described.

Dave,
I'm still not sure whether you have a Cable or a DSL connection other
then your first post where you stated "Cable".

So, I will assume cable.


You should not be "kicked" off just because other users come home for
lunch or after work. However, speed can be affected by these
conditions. If you routinely lose connections around the same time(s)
of day, then you definitely need to contact you ISP and have them
investigate trhe problem.

I once had an issue where I was disconnected once an hour, every hour,
24 hours a day. After logging the disconnections, I contacted Comcast
(my ISP) and advised them of the problem and asked them to show up at
the specific time so they could catch the problem "in the act".
Because no one else complained they were hesitant to assume they had a
problem. However, since I was persistent, they rolled a service
technician and he arrived 5 minutes before the expected outage and was
able to catch it. I showed him my logs (2 week's worth) and he saw
that the problem was repeating at exactly 20 minutes after the hour,
every hour and lasted approximately 30 seconds--just enough time to
cause problems with email and other net based applications. With this
(and my advice gleaned from 30+ years electronics experience) they
replaced the failed line amp (after they located it and dug it up) and
everyone in the neighborhood was happier since the problem affected a
lot of people beside me.


So, the moral of the story--don't hesitate to report disconnections to
you ISP. If you don't it may get worse and by complaining you may be
helping many others.

Dale

My modem and router work just fine. There are times during the day (when
kids come home from school and parents come home from work) that I can not
_sometimes_ access the internet. This is just a question of too many folks
being online at the same time. If I manually unplug the router and modem,
more often than not I can suceed in getting back online. I'm only asking if
there's a way .... (ipconfig .... ?) to do the same but using software to
obtain a new address. That's all.

Around 12 noon, when the kids come home for lunch, I can expect not to be
able to always get online and early in the evening when all the Dads comes
home from work, I can expect to have the same problem. I have the modem
next to my monitor and I can see the number of LEDs on or off (Power,
Receive, Send, Online, PC Activity, Standby). When I can't get online,
instead of seeing five LEDs, I'll see one or two or three; I can see the
modem trying to get back online and it's usually the time when the kids come
home for lunch or the parents come home from work.

My modem and router are working just fine - I jusr want to know if using,
say, ipconfig at a cmd prompt and using the resetting switch is what I can
also do (instead of manually unplugging the electric cable from both the
modem and router. Is this more clear? Thanks!

Dave Horne


Since he stated "If I manually unplug the power cable to the cable
modem and router..." I have to assume he has both.

Dave, please clarify and maybe give us the make and model of each
device.

Dale

He may not have a router. In which case, the modem is supplying the IP
address
Dave,
The symptoms you describe would indicate a problem with the ISP
connection, not your computer. If the modem indicates lost connection
on the Internet side, then that is something you need to address to
you ISP. You mentioned a cable modem but not the ISP. I have Comcast
and the last time I experienced similar problems, they had to replace
the modem.
One way to ensure Vista is working properly with your router is to
make sure the router DHCP service is configured correctly. Then the
best way to reacquire an IP on your computer is first use the
IPCONFIG /release command to release the IP and then IPCONFIG /renew
to reacquire an IP. Also, I've heard that it helps in Vista to turn
off the IPv6 service unless your router specifically supports it.
When restarting your modem and router, it works best to shut down the
router, then the modem, disconnect the incoming cable to the modem,
wait about 5 or 10 minutes, then reconnect the cable, power up the
modem and wait until its lights indicate a good connection on the WAN
or Internet side, then power up the router. Wait about 5 more minutes
to allow you computer to acquire an IP address from the router or run
the IPCONFIG commands in sequence.
Hope this helps,
Dale
First, I'm not sure if this is the best forum for this question, so if
it
is
not, please advise.
I have a general question re network settings under Vista Home Premium.
On
occasion, during busy times of the day, my cable modem will indicate
that
the connection is lost. If I manually unplug the power cable to the
cable
modem and router, wait until 15 or so seconds, and reconnect the cables,
I
can usually suceed in obtaining a connection. I assume the computer
looks
and finds a new address from my IP.
Under Vista, using cmd.exe (elevated), I tried ipconfig /renew but
received the following message - An error occured while renewing
interface
Local Area Connection : unable to contact your DHCP server. Request has
timed out. [end quote]
My question, apart from manually disconnecting the power cables from my
modem and router, is there any other way to obtain a new IP address from
my
provider when the 'circuits are over loaded'?
Thanks, Dave Horne- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -