Computer Problem

[Mike Schroeder]

I need some help,


I have a Netgear wireless router, with 3 computers connected to it in the house my sisters and my fathers computer are both wired to it, and i am wireless, but all three of us are having problems accessing some secure connections, and the secure websites we connect to lag... alot

all 3 computers are running WinXP sp2 mine is Pro, the other 2 are Home


Any Help would be apprciated

[JohnBoucher]

This sometime happens if you are running multiple firewalls.

Is this a new problem? If so what is new?

[Mike Schroeder]

it happened all of a sudden, nothing changed that can tell.

its weird cause sometimes it workes, but like 9 out of 10 times it just times out

[JohnBoucher]

I would pull the router out and try to connect direct.

[Mike Schroeder]

We do that when we unplugg my dads computer from the router and connect it directly to the DSL modem, and his computer will work fine, its definatlly somthing with either the router or a setting in the router, i just wanted to see if it was a setting before i wasted the money on a new wireless router

[lukevanoort]

See if the router has a reset to defaults thingy. What time did this happen? Microsloth might have released a "fix" to Windows swiss cheese security that conflicts with the hardware firewall (router). If your computer is set to auto update, this is very likely. Also check to see if your router has updated firmware (good idea anyway).

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Big Mike

...when we unplug my dads computer from the router and connect it directly to the DSL modem, and his computer will work fine...

You don't need a new router. If it works fine with the router out of the picture, it can be a setting in the router, or in the computer, but if all three computers have the problem the router is the first place to go, since it is the one thing common to all three machines. Go to Netgear's web site and check that the issue isn't covered there, or ask them for help.

When a router fails, it acts a lot like a brick that is sleeping.

From the modem's point of view, the router needs to look just like one of the computers. That means MAC address cloning. The router should be set to get an IP address automatically (DHCP). The modem should be set up exactly the same as when the computer is connected directly - make no changes because of the router.

(Trust me on this. I spent a week arguing with Verizon, having similar issues. I could connect to Google, but not USPS.com (the post office). The info above is what fixed it, given to me by Linksys Tech Support.)

It can also be a firewall issue, but less likely. Disable the XP firewall/McAfee/Norton/Zone Alarm/whatever on one machine for testing. If that fixes it, re-enable stuff a little at a time (start with anti-virus!) to see what's breaking it.

Those are the obvious issues. Again, contact Netgear, they can surely help you dig further.

good luck,
Don

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Hey Mike,
Check the lights and see if there is a lot of data being sent through the router. There is a good possibility that one of you has some spyware that sent out info and the other sites are trying to attack you. If you see a lot of activity, take one computer off line at a time and see if you localize it. There is a lot of phony baloney MP3 sites as well as other stuff that just tries to trash your systems. On occassion we have had computers get into a loop trying to push data onto the network and never finish. They tie up the routers something awful. A friend had a problem at work where every afternoon the network would bog down. They traced ot to one router and found that a worker was getting a lot of data sent through from the internet. It turned out that his boss had loaded an MTV screensaver and when he went to a meeeting in the afternoon the screensaver would start downloading full bandwidth video to his desktop.

[Elgin Clock]

Another quick suggestion I have without looking at my current setup is to ask how they are each connected to the router??

Do any of the non-wireless computers use both the USB and the LAN (10/100 cable) at the same time?? I know with mine, only one or the other can be used at one time.

I tried using a router to hook up both a laptop by the USB connection, and a Desktop by the LAN (10/100 cable) and the router itself disabled the second one as soon as you used the first one. (That was kind of annoying.)

No both option available, only one or the other.

Also, if that's not the case, what kind of router is it??
Some of the better ones come with handy quick reference cards in the package, or on the manufacturers website as well to decode the pretty blinking lights on it.

I know for our modem and router, when we lose service, it has a certain pattern the lights blink as opposed to when it is fully operational.

I would check to see if yours has something that explains the lights, and check that for what it's worth.

(my paranoid self would be asking if your cable company can track how many users are on your "network" or how much bandwidth is being used on your "network", and asking about the possibility of them cutting you off (litterally) when more is alllowed.. But whos to say they can do that, or actually would take the time and single your family out.)

[Mike AA]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

Another quick suggestion I have without looking at my current setup is to ask how they are each connected to the router??

Do any of the non-wireless computers use both the USB and the LAN (10/100 cable) at the same time?? I know with mine, only one or the other can be used at one time.

I tried using a router to hook up both a laptop by the USB connection, and a Desktop by the LAN (10/100 cable) and the router itself disabled the second one as soon as you used the first one. (That was kind of annoying.)

No both option available, only one or the other.

Also, if that's not the case, what kind of router is it??
Some of the better ones come with handy quick reference cards in the package, or on the manufacturers website as well to decode the pretty blinking lights on it.

I know for our modem and router, when we lose service, it has a certain pattern the lights blink as opposed to when it is fully operational.

I would check to see if yours has something that explains the lights, and check that for what it's worth.

(my paranoid self would be asking if your cable company can track how many users are on your "network" or how much bandwidth is being used on your "network", and asking about the possibility of them cutting you off (litterally) when more is alllowed.. But whos to say they can do that, or actually would take the time and single your family out.)

Actually with many cable companies and aDSL companies they DO watch what ports are being used and if your agreement says something like servers unallowed. They will either shut you off or slow you down, there have been instances here on CD of people having that problem.

Also elgin, it sounds like you are talking the modem which your cable or dsl company supplies you. He is using a personal bought router ( hence the Netgear). Biggest difference, the modem brings the data to you unprotected, the router will protect you and your data.

-Mike

[lukevanoort]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Hey Mike,
Check the lights and see if there is a lot of data being sent through the router. There is a good possibility that one of you has some spyware that sent out info and the other sites are trying to attack you. If you see a lot of activity, take one computer off line at a time and see if you localize it. There is a lot of phony baloney MP3 sites as well as other stuff that just tries to trash your systems. On occassion we have had computers get into a loop trying to push data onto the network and never finish. They tie up the routers something awful. A friend had a problem at work where every afternoon the network would bog down. They traced ot to one router and found that a worker was getting a lot of data sent through from the internet. It turned out that his boss had loaded an MTV screensaver and when he went to a meeeting in the afternoon the screensaver would start downloading full bandwidth video to his desktop.

Also, you could have been hacked and somebody could be using one of your computers as a file server, (more likely than you'd think) I'm going to risk being branded a sexist and say if it is spyware/hacked it is probably your sister's computer, since your dad's checks out and many of the girls I know AIM a lot. AIM is very vulnerable and there are several AIM specific malwares out there. Also kill any p2p program you have running, Kazaa has spyware, so I wouldn't be suprised if others do to. Get Spybot S&D and Adaware on all the computers. (google the names)