Network Help!

[Dac]

Hey guys,

Im usually pretty good with computers, but this issue has stumped the hell out of me.

Right, so ive got two computers (One iMac Desktop and a PC Laptop) who both connect to the same wireless access point.

The problem I have is that the wi fi on BOTH computers keeps cutting out and NOT reconnecting unless I do a logical reboot of my entire internet system (Unplug the Modem, then the router, wait 30 seconds then plug them back in). Whats stranger is that while both tend to stop working at ROUGHLY the same time, the period between the two can be up to 10 minutes or more.

For example, my mum will yell from the other room that her net has cut out, and I can continue surfing for another minute or even up to an hour before I encounter the same problem. This happens at random intervals as well, although ive noticed it occuring more often at around 6pm (although it happens throughout the day) GMT.

Initially I thought this was the router, so I went out and bought a completely different - newer model and I still suffer from the same problem. The fact that this is affecting a Mac and a PC leads me to assume that this isnt a worm, and because Ive completely reset both routers several times makes me think it isnt a DNS hijack (not that that would completely remove the wireless signal from being detected).

The only thing I can think of is some kind of signal interferance, but then why would it only affect it at random staggered intervals and not all at once?

The routers in question are both linksys, but one is an older W54G model with the external antennae, and the newer model is the "Wireless G" with internal antennas.

This problem has been driving me mad, and my parents moreso. Any help that anyone could give would be greatly apprecieated.

Thanks in advance,

Dave.

 

[Marc]

802.11G wifi can be interfered with by cordless phones and microwave ovens but I think your dropouts are too frequent for that.

When you setup the replacement router did you use a new SSID and a new WPA2 key?

Have you tried changing the channel your wireless is operating on?

Have you thoroughly checked the PC for viruses and malware? (it could be the Mac but they are generally don't have the security problems that the Windows systems do).

Most internet connections are allocated their IP address dymically from their ISP so yours would be changing each time you connect.

That means either
a) some-one is piggy backing on your wireless connection
or
b) there's a something nasty sitting on the PC that's allowing some-one on the outside to track you down.

Have you also checked the router's logs and connection status to see if
a) it shows a computer connecting that's not one of yours
b) if there are any problems logged

 

[ed629]

I would also do a hard reset of the router, it should have a button that needs to be pushed by the tip of a pen or paperclip to reset.

Here's what I have on my router.

 

[Dac]

Thanks Guys, Heres the current situtation.

Marc - I had a look at my log file and who was connected, all the devices that were connected are mine or where accounted for, so there was noone else on my network.

Now today, I turn it on, the internet works for about an hour, then nothing. Ive done several system resets, ed, even the hard reset button on both Routers and no they wont route any kind of internet, either Wireless or wired now. And thats on both Routers.

At the moment, I have a cable running straight from my Modem to my Mac, so its not a problem with that, it has to be the router. Im going to take the new one back and pick up a different brand to see if that fixes the problem. If not, christ knows whats going on. At this point, it could be aliens fucking about with my signals for all I know.