Weird internet connection error - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Bauh4us · 01-10-2005, 12:47 PM

Every once in a while (normally about once or twice a day) my internet connection stops working correctly. I won't be able to connect to anything, I can't see websites and I can't hit my mail server. What is weird about it is that other programs that I have running at the time (like ventrilo and IRC) still work fine. I can still chat in IRC and speak/hear people on vent. If I close either of them, I cannot connect back to the servers until my comp decides to work right again.

I have looked for anything strange installed on my system and everything looks fine. I suspected my DNS server might be down, but other computers hooked up to my home network still connect to things fine.

I normally just wait it out as it normally only lasts for a few min (though on occasion it has lasted for more than an hour), but now a computer I built for a friend is having the same problem.

I am very stumped by this because his comp has win2k running and mine has winxp corporate.

Anyone ever had or heard of this problem before? Anyone know what causes it? Any help would be appreciated.

Bamrak · 01-10-2005, 12:55 PM

I'll take a stab at this and guess you're using a Linksys router? Probably a BEFSR41, or it's wireless counterpart?

Bauh4us · 01-10-2005, 03:14 PM

I have a NetGear RP114 router.

cyrnel · 01-10-2005, 03:37 PM

It does sound like a network problem versus a problem on your windows box. Could be something in common between the configurations but not enough information to know that yet.

Do you have one or two DNS servers defined?
If your systems are using DNS provided by your DHCP server, does the DHCP server (your router?) have one or two defined? Are they functional?

As Bamrak said, I'd suspect the router. The unsual piece is that they fix themselves. Usually, when routers lose their mind they require a reboot before they'll come back. It's unusual for them to spontaneous fix themselves, rather they get progressively worse.

What firmware version in the router? Looks like RP114 firmware went up to v3.26.

Are you running any p2p apps? Their default settings will often overload soho routers. Keeping the maximum connections below 200 can help.

heyal256 · 01-10-2005, 07:10 PM

If you think that your dns server is the problem you could run something like treewalk http://ntcanuck.com/ .
I don't use this program, but read it mentioned at a different board as being a good program to use when your dns servers are offline.

pinoychink790 · 01-10-2005, 07:16 PM

have you tried using windows update??? sometimes they have updates that can fix problems like this. I remember when I had a problem similar to this, i used windows update, got service pack 2, and it fixed it.

Dilbert1234567 · 01-12-2005, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bamrak

I'll take a stab at this and guess you're using a Linksys router? Probably a BEFSR41, or it's wireless counterpart?

snickers...

yeah i know the feeling, mine cuts out everyonce in a while

01-10-2005, 12:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bauh4us Tilted	Weird internet connection error Every once in a while (normally about once or twice a day) my internet connection stops working correctly. I won't be able to connect to anything, I can't see websites and I can't hit my mail server. What is weird about it is that other programs that I have running at the time (like ventrilo and IRC) still work fine. I can still chat in IRC and speak/hear people on vent. If I close either of them, I cannot connect back to the servers until my comp decides to work right again. I have looked for anything strange installed on my system and everything looks fine. I suspected my DNS server might be down, but other computers hooked up to my home network still connect to things fine. I normally just wait it out as it normally only lasts for a few min (though on occasion it has lasted for more than an hour), but now a computer I built for a friend is having the same problem. I am very stumped by this because his comp has win2k running and mine has winxp corporate. Anyone ever had or heard of this problem before? Anyone know what causes it? Any help would be appreciated. __________________ "I aint got time for pain! The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!" - Terrible Terry Tate

01-10-2005, 03:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bauh4us Tilted	I have a NetGear RP114 router. __________________ "I aint got time for pain! The only pain I got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!" - Terrible Terry Tate

01-10-2005, 12:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bamrak Enter Title Here Location: Tennessee	I'll take a stab at this and guess you're using a Linksys router? Probably a BEFSR41, or it's wireless counterpart?

01-10-2005, 03:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	It does sound like a network problem versus a problem on your windows box. Could be something in common between the configurations but not enough information to know that yet. Do you have one or two DNS servers defined? If your systems are using DNS provided by your DHCP server, does the DHCP server (your router?) have one or two defined? Are they functional? As Bamrak said, I'd suspect the router. The unsual piece is that they fix themselves. Usually, when routers lose their mind they require a reboot before they'll come back. It's unusual for them to spontaneous fix themselves, rather they get progressively worse. What firmware version in the router? Looks like RP114 firmware went up to v3.26. Are you running any p2p apps? Their default settings will often overload soho routers. Keeping the maximum connections below 200 can help.

01-10-2005, 07:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
heyal256 Not so great lurker Location: NY	If you think that your dns server is the problem you could run something like treewalk http://ntcanuck.com/ . I don't use this program, but read it mentioned at a different board as being a good program to use when your dns servers are offline.

01-10-2005, 07:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
pinoychink790 Loser Location: McDonald's Playland	have you tried using windows update??? sometimes they have updates that can fix problems like this. I remember when I had a problem similar to this, i used windows update, got service pack 2, and it fixed it.