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Fucking obnoxious internet connection problem
Thanatos
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So, I'm on a wireless network, and every so often (though, it's been getting more and more frequent) the connection will go down, then come back up. It's at the point right now where it's doing it every 30 seconds. By tomorrow morning, it'll probably be fine again for awhile, before going down every couple of minutes for awhile, then be fine for awhile. I highly suspect this is an issue with the ISP (Comcast) rather than my network, but I figured I'd ask here and see if there is anything I should be trying first.
Unfortunately, I have neither the coaxial nor the network cable required to run a wired connection, so trying that is out of the question.
Unfortunately, I have neither the coaxial nor the network cable required to run a wired connection, so trying that is out of the question.
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A good way to check is to have a CMD window set to always on top and run:
ping (default gateway) -t
which just makes the ping test run and run. Then when the connection drops you'll be able to see either the 1000ms+ ping or the message "Request timed out"..
11b operates in 2.4 ghz range, which can see intereference from microwaves, cordless phones, and of course other wifi networks. Putting your wifi in a band operating at 5 ghz might help (other devices also operate in this range).
http://www.airmagnet.com/ may assist you in diagnosing your issues. Also for some reason, my PS3 hoses my internet connection for other clients on my network when it's signed onto PSN (it's connected via wire though, and hoses EVERYTHING not just wifi). I usually have to sign it off of PSN and reset my wireless router before other clients can connect again.
I'm in Seattle, so, of course, there are six other wireless networks within range. That could be the problem.
This basically sounds like your PS3 is hoarding all of the bandwidth for it's own greedy little self. Most routers you use at home (and the modems that love them) can get really flaky when you start pouring too much bandwidth through them for too long.
I know my linksys wireless router freaks out if I have a couple of torrents running unchecked and it basically hoses my entire network till i unplug the router for a moment then plug it back in.
You can try changing the wireless channel your router is broadcasting on.
However, depending on the wireless card/software you use on your PC.. sometimes it's not so easy to change that client side if it doesn't pick it up right away.
I can't remember what it's called, but there's an opensource wireless network detection software somewhere out there that will scan and give you info on nearby WLANs including channel and signal strength.
If you can find that software, scan, find out what channel all the other chumps are using, then switch. Most WAPs are preconfigured for channel 6, the next most popular channel is generally 1. I current run on channel 11.
It might be worth noting that I had a similar issue with my wired network when my 4 year old modem started to die. Comcast will replace it for free if you bring them the original.
And yeah, I've power-cycled both the modem and the router many, many times. Sometimes, it seems to help, briefly, other times it doesn't do shit. I reset the modem to factory defaults last night, haven't had any problems since, but I fully expect it to start again. I also moved the modem a bit closer to my room, and around a metal table that was in-between it and me.
I used to have adelphia, but comcast recently bought them out. Aparently they were doing alot of "upgrades" in my area, because myself and my friends started having problems within 2-3 months of comcast taking over. Then after about a month of issues, everything was fine. Now, since I don't work for comcast, I can only assume that "upgrades" took place, But none of my hardware or software settings changed, and one day it starts working again, and really really well at that.
And yeah, my parents had the same experience. It was a pain in the ass to get them set up, but it's been working fine since.
Did you make your wireless connection require a WEP key? Or is it open to anyone within range? Sounds like you know enough to enable WEP, but just ruling out "LOLZ FREE WIRELESS" neighbors as a possible root cause.
I'm in Seattle, man, pretty much the most tech-savvy city in the U.S. I'm not dumb enough to leave a wide-open network for anyone to use. :P
WPA is better, don't ever use WEP. It's completely broken.
When you say your connection is either very good or not there at all, this doesn't mean your connection to the wider world is dropping, only the wireless (but I am sure you knew that).
Try changing it to B mode. B has greater reach and reliability. But it sounds like the wireless is just dying and rebooting, so if you can upgrade the firmware, do it. If you can't, send it back.
:P figured as much, just had to make sure, Nah WPA is fine. As well, There was a period there for awhile where aparently my frequency was too high, outta the blue. I called em up, they came out, Knocked on the door, tested some stuff, swapped out some splitters and an old cable for a new one. And said "Voolah"
My router never has problems, it's the cable the just goes right out whenever it pleases (usually while trying to do something "new". If I haven't clicked a link in a while, or in WoW, if I haven't fought a mob in a while, as soon as I do, BAM, it goes out)
It sucks, but I know so many people with this issue.
Um... No. Based on the symptoms he is describing, it sounds more like an issue with his wireless router.
He specifically stated that when this happens it is the wireless network that drops ( "It's worth noting that my connection is always either "very good" (full bars) or not there at all." ).
Regardless of the state of the cable modem the wireless network should still be there. Intermittent connectivity to a wireless network is usually the result of interference from other wireless networks/devices. As suggested previously try changing the channel used by the modem (1, 6, 11 are the common ones, if those don't work try 4 or 8).
Do you have a 2.4ghz cordless phone? If so does your connection loss coincide with the usage of said phone? Any wireless security cameras, baby monitors, etc. in your general vicinity?
Based on the symptoms you describe, sinn's right on the money here. Dollars to donuts that if you bypass your router your connection will be fine.
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Portalflip
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NetStumbler.
Maybe buy some stronger antenas for the router?
Have you confirmed it's not just your laptop?