This is what the ipconfig.txt looks like. In addition, the modem is hooked
into the router. Sorry for that misinformation. Yes, all computers go out
at the same time. And how can it be the router itself when both the D-Link
wireless and the Linksys hardwired ones do the same thing? I don't have to
do any special test to know that they all lost connectivity at the same time.
And as far as malware, we use Spybot S&D and Adaware constantly, at least
once a week, and are immunized through Spybot, too. We are very conscious of
things like malware and spyware. We also have a firewall and run Computer
Assoc's eTrust Antivirus in realtime.
I am about to give up on this. Is there any type of power booster for a
router? Maybe the router being split by four is a problem. My oldest son
reminded me that when it was just his computer and mine, we never had a
problem like this. Maybe the Cable signal is just not strong enough to hold
four computers all working at the same time? I am really bothered over this
and don't know where to go next. All I know is, we are going crazy from
constantly losing connection. And, yes, we live on Long Island where
everything is up to date, not some little rural town in the midwest. We are
just seconds out of NYC and things are very technologically advanced.
Thanks for any further assistance you can offer.
Lori,
Be patient with me, and cooperate, OK?
So far, I am considering several very general problem causes:
1) Computer hardware malfunction.
2) Computer malware infestation.
3) Network hardware malfunction.
4) Internet service malfunction.
Now, you say when the problem happens, you say "they all lost connectivity at
the same time". If all 4 computers are seeing the same symptoms at the same
time (exactly the same time?), individual computer hardware, and malware
infestations, become less likely candidates. Still possible, depending upon the
malware.
Do the 4 computers lose connectivity with each other (you are doing file sharing
right?), or just with the internet? If they lose connectivity with each other,
and with the internet, then the problem really starts to look like your router.
On the other hand, if you have one or more computers sharing files, and file
sharing is NOT affected by the problem, then it sort of looks like your internet
service (or the modem anyway) becomes a good suspect.
Right now, without you telling me more, I really like your router for the
problem. Or at least the power for the router. If the router isn't protected
by a UPS, power spikes / dips could make it malfunction. You might, or might
not, see it reboot (a NAT router reboots in 5 - 10 seconds). Can you at least
watch the lights on it, and see if they flash differently when the problem
happens?
Whether you are in the middle of New York City, in suburbia, or in a rural town
in the middle of nowhere, power fluctuations can be a problem. The more "things
are very technologically advanced", the more chances that power causes problems.
A UPS will protect you, and will prevent intermittent power problems.
Now to answer your questions.
A power problem could easily explain two different routers showing the same
symptoms, sequentially.
AdAware, Spybot, a firewall (NAT router? or personal firewalls? You do
understand the differences right?), eTrust AntiVirus, are all essential
components in a layered defense. But I would not be the first, or the most
knowledgeable, to tell you that they may, seriously, not be enough.
Spend a few hours surfing alt.computer.security, alt.privacy.spyware,
alt.comp.firewalls, alt.comp.virus, microsoft.public.security, yada yada. Or
any of the DSLReports Forums:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/security
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/spam
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cablechat
What you see in some of those forums may make your hair stand on end. I know
they do to me (IFF I had hair LOL).
The purpose of a router is to provide connectivity to multiple computers.
Having 4 computers cannot cause problems to your service, as you're hinting.
Maybe having 100 computers, and surfing the internet simultaneously from all
100, might overload a small SOHO NAT router like a DI-624. But 4 computers
won't - or shouldn't - just by themselves. A DI-624 is perfectly sufficient to
handle 4 computers, unless there's a traffic overload from malware coming from
one.
But if you have 4 computers simultaneously showing "Local Area Connection Lost -
A network cable is unplugged. Down by my clock at the lower right-hand corner
of my monitor, that pops up for a second and then we lose the connection...",
this sounds very much like a hardware problem. And I really like a router for
the cause of the problem, and by extension, your power causing the router
problem.
I'll stick with you til you get this solved, Lori, if you work with me. But
don't wait too long to reply at any given time. The traffic in this forum makes
posts get lost in a day, if not answered, sometimes.
--
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia is not necessarily a bad thing - it comes from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck sonic net.
