Home n etwork problem

[jerryfreeman]

I set up a simple home network to share a cable modem connection. Up
to 4 pcs, 2 hooked up directly via ethernet cable to the CompUSA 4
Port 10/100 MPS Switch/Wireless Rounter and 2 PCs connecting via
wireless cards. 3 of the 4 pcs run XP, the forth is a laptop running
2000. After working fine for over a year, the internet connection
becomes very, very slow when connected thru the switch/router. When I
disconnect the cable modem and connect directly to one of the pc's,
internet works fine. When switching back to router the connection is
stable for a short while then gradually degrades to a point that it
appears frozen. When a 2nd pc connects to the router and shares net,
the process of degrade only takes a few minutes. When one pc is
connected thru thru the router the stable connection lasts a bit longer
but is down in just a couple of hours.

The pcs using wireless (kids rooms) both had lots of spyware, but check
clean now. Where do I start?

 

[KG1]

I would start with the router.

You mentioned a direct connect from the cable modem to a PC works fine. So
that rules out the cable connection, cable modem and the PC. You also
mentioned that basically, ANY PC connected to the router degrades over time.
The fewer number of PCs on the router, the longer it takes to degrade.

I had a similar problem a few years back with a DLink router. I replaced it
with a Linksys and have not experienced the issue since. Linksys and NetGear
are good reliable home routers.

Good Luck!

 

[Guest]

Ever checked for a firmware update for your router?

 

[jerryfreeman]

Thanks:

Bought a new Netgear router at BestBuy for $29. What a difference.
Everything is working faster.