computer keeps dropping connection
 

Ok, here's my setup. I have two computers, getting a shared connection through a 4 port router. The first computer keeps its connection 24-7. I can move the mouse at any time, and I have a good connection. The second computer only keeps it's connection for about 20 mins or so after booting up, unless I actively use the connection. I can surf constantly for hours, but if I let it sit for a while, I have to reboot. I didn't have a problem with this computer when it was connected straight into the modem, but when I hooked it into the router, it started dropping connection like this. Can anyone help me find and fix this problem? I know, I know, switch to Firefox. But seriously, what can I do?

It sounds like you might not have the NAT setup correctly on your router. Are you able to use the one that's solid and the one that keeps dropping out at the same time? The problem sounds like both computers are using the same IP and that could be why the other doesn't work all the time. You can't have two computers connected to the network with the same IP address.

I can use them both at the same time. One's using x.x.x.51 as the IP address, and the other is using x.x.x.52

Make sure you're Idle Timeout is set to 0, if not that might be the problem. Also go to your routers' manufacturer website and get the latest and greatest firmware and install it. Then head over and get the newest drivers for your network card and install them.

An alternative if the above doesn't work is to try checking your power settings, it's possible that the network card is going to sleep and isn't able to properly "wake up" without a reboot. i'd say that it is also possible that you need to replace the network card in that pc (the one with the problem).