BleepingComputer.com: Network dropping off

The Background:

I've owned a Netgear DG834N ADSL wireless router for a few years now and have always experienced some problems with it, although things have really reached afore so I've finally come looking for help. It originally came with the WN511B laptop card (which has never been able to connect to the router either).


My Home Setup:

There are 3 computers in the network (a Samsung laptop using ethernet cable; an Acer laptop with onboard g wireless; and a Dell netbook with onboard n wireless), plus my PS3 (ethernet). Most of the time it's just the netbook which is used. Very rare that more than 1 device is being used at any given time.


The problems:

1. The internet drops frequently - sometimes every 5 minutes or so. Then, either by leaving it to reset or by pulling out and re-inserting the dsl cable, it will be okay again.

2. Unable to use any encryption (e.g. WPA or WPA2-PSK) so as I understand it, the only thing stopping anyone else from joining the network is the network access list I set up via web browser. Please forgive my ignorance if this is not the case!

3. The only wireless speed is 54mbps even though the router and netbook are both capable of more.


Please could someone help me with any of these problems?

This post has been edited by luke80: 22 May 2011 - 09:46 AM

Quote

1) lets see an ipconfig /all, three ping tests and an xirrus screen shot - when its working correct and then again when it disconnects
2) some hardware will not support wpa(2) - so if you have an open wireless, at the moment anyone can join, BUT as you have Mac address filtering then that will stop access , you may want to try WEP security
3) This may be a setting in the router - have a look at the wireless section and see if you have "G" or mixed mode enabled ,

------------------------------------------------------------------------
ipconfig /all
If you cannot access the internet with this PC, then you will need to paste the results into something like notepad and then copy onto a machine that can access the internet and post results here

We would like to see the results from ipconfig /all post back the results in a reply here

Hold the Windows key and press R, then type CMD then press Enter to open a command prompt box (A new dialogue box - black with white font, will appear on screen ):

In the command prompt window that opens, type the following command:

Note that there is a space before the /ALL, but there is NOT a space after the / in the following command.

ipconfig /all > network.txt & network.txt

It will export the results to notepad and then automatically open notepad.

Now all you need to do is copy and paste those results to a reply here
to do that:
From the notepad menu - choose Edit - Select all
all the text will be highlighted
Next
From the notepad menu - choose Edit - Copy
Now go back to the forum - reply and then right click in the reply box and paste
------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ping Tests
If you cannot access the internet with this PC, then you will need to paste the results into something like notepad and then copy onto a machine that can access the internet and post results here

Start> Run {search bar in Vista}> CMD to open a DOS window and type:

Type the following command
Ping {plus the number thats shown against the default gateway shown in above ipconfig /all}
Post back the results
rightclick in the box
select all
enter
control key + C key - to copy
then reply here and
control key + V to paste

Type the following command
Ping google.com
Post back the results
rightclick in the box
select all
enter
control key + C key - to copy
then reply here and
control key + V to paste

Type the following command
Ping 209.183.226.152
post back results
rightclick in the box
select all
enter
control key + C key - to copy
then reply here and
control key + V to paste

these tests will check various stages of the connection
the first ping test
ping 192.168.0.1
checks to see if you still have a connection to the router
the next two
Ping google.com
Ping 209.183.226.152
tests the connection to internet , one by name and one by number which checks that the dns is working
------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Run Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector
Download and install
If you cannot access the internet with this PC, then you will need to copy the program across to the faulty PC

http://www.xirrus.com/library/wifitools.php
Direct link to the program is here http://www.xirrus.com/library/wifi_download_redirect.php
Then run and install the program - on a wireless enabled PC/Laptop
if you get an error - You need NET Framework installed for the WiFi Inspector to function.

Run the program

post a screen shot of the program running - if there are a lot of networks showing can you click on "networks" top lefthand area - so we can see all the network information, and also post which network "Adapter Name" (1st column) is yours on the list

To post a screen shot of the active window, hold the Alt key and press the PrtScn key. Open the Windows PAINT application and Paste the screen shot. You can then use PAINT to trim to suit, and save it as a JPG format file.

Note:
For a reliable (or robust as the Xirrus user guide says) wireless connection you need a signal of about -70 dBm or better.

If you are using the Mac OS then use http://www.istumbler.net/
------------------------------------------------------------------------

This post has been edited by etaf: 23 May 2011 - 06:39 AM

I'm having a different set of issues with one computer not consistently communicating with the server. Pinging the server usually comes back with all packets going through, but occasionally some or none will go through. Would this test tell anything in that case?

do a ping with " -t " at the end - it will continuously ping until you do a control C
then you can see how bad the lose is

Thanks for the reply; here goes:


1)


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Luke-Duo
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Atheros AR9285 802.11b/g/n WiFi Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : E0-B9-A5-29-0E-F6
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::6859:17de:79e9:41bd%13(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 28 May 2011 10:21:07
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 31 May 2011 10:21:07
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 367049125
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-15-01-24-4D-E0-B9-A5-29-0E-F6
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : E0-B9-A5-29-3D-87
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Qwarq Virtual Ethernet Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 0A-00-12-BF-AF-28
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.{D865A81D-E3C2-45B9-A274-A907969290DA}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv6 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 2001:0:5ef5:79fd:38f0:2f89:a3ea:2715(Preferred)
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::38f0:2f89:a3ea:2715%19(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : ::
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter isatap.{111C3D9F-DF12-48BB-B660-96D4654A3D62}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #2
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.{C4666A6E-C0DD-4D0D-BCFD-516723A46FF2}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter #3
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright © 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Luke>Ping 192.168.0.1

Pinging 192.168.0.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=49ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=4ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=3ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=4ms TTL=64

Ping statistics for 192.168.0.1:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 3ms, Maximum = 49ms, Average = 15ms



Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright © 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Luke>Ping google.com

Pinging google.com [209.85.229.99] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 209.85.229.99: bytes=32 time=36ms TTL=52
Reply from 209.85.229.99: bytes=32 time=35ms TTL=52
Reply from 209.85.229.99: bytes=32 time=35ms TTL=52
Reply from 209.85.229.99: bytes=32 time=36ms TTL=52

Ping statistics for 209.85.229.99:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 35ms, Maximum = 36ms, Average = 35ms



Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright © 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Luke>Ping 209.183.226.152

Pinging 209.183.226.152 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 209.183.226.152: bytes=32 time=165ms TTL=50
Reply from 209.183.226.152: bytes=32 time=112ms TTL=50
Reply from 209.183.226.152: bytes=32 time=112ms TTL=50
Reply from 209.183.226.152: bytes=32 time=113ms TTL=50

Ping statistics for 209.183.226.152:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 112ms, Maximum = 165ms, Average = 125ms


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I installed Wi-Fi inspector and saved the screenshot in jpeg format. Signal at the time of writing is -76db, running in channel 6,10. How do I upload attachments to posts?


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


2

The netbook was new this year so I'm pretty sure it's capable of WPA2. The WN511B laptop network card I was going to use with the other laptop came with the router and is mentioned frequently below so that definitely should. However, that can't connect at all (I've have tried every combination of turning on/off integrated wireless etc.).


3

The router mode is set to 'Up to 270Mbps'. The channel is set to 'AUTO'.

In the help column on the right of the screen, it says:

Quote

As I read it, the bits I've bolded slightly conflict with each other. Whenever I try to select either WPA2-PSK or WPA-PSK + WPA-PSK and create an alpahnumerical key, the netbook can never join the network, even once I've typed in the same key on the netbook.

This post has been edited by luke80: 28 May 2011 - 10:40 AM

so we need to see the ipconfig /all - ping tests and xirrus now when it disconnects (and xirrus from above)

Quote

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic14738.html

Thanks. Here it is:



I updated the router firmware to the latest version the other day and I haven't had any disconnections as of yet. I will submit the other pings as/when a disconnection occurs but in the meantime so advice regarding the other issue from anyone would be much appreciated!

This post has been edited by luke80: 28 May 2011 - 05:54 PM

you have a few channels using , i would change the router to use channel 11
and you do not have a very strong signal - see the xirrus note

Quote

etaf, on 29 May 2011 - 04:09 AM, said:

When the speed setting is on Up to 270Mbps, the router only lets me change between AUTO, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. I will try 'Up to 130Mbps' on channel 11 to see the difference - maybe i can get the security to work though that channel instead...

If the signal is a bit week, perhaps I should move the router to another room then.

This post has been edited by luke80: 29 May 2011 - 06:53 AM

Famous last words...

Disconnected for about 2-3 mins - in that time I think I managed to get the other pings before it automatically reconnected. Didn't get the Xirrus screenshot in time though.


Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Luke-Duo
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Atheros AR9285 802.11b/g/n WiFi Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : E0-B9-A5-29-0E-F6
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::6859:17de:79e9:41bd%13(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.2(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 29 May 2011 11:02:53
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 01 June 2011 12:57:02
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 367049125
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-15-01-24-4D-E0-B9-A5-29-0E-F6
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : E0-B9-A5-29-3D-87
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Qwarq Virtual Ethernet Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 0A-00-22-88-B6-BE
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter isatap.{D865A81D-E3C2-45B9-A274-A907969290DA}:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes






Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright © 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Luke>Ping 192.168.0.1

Pinging 192.168.0.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=97ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=5ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=4ms TTL=64
Reply from 192.168.0.1: bytes=32 time=4ms TTL=64

Ping statistics for 192.168.0.1:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 4ms, Maximum = 97ms, Average = 27ms





Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright © 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Luke>Ping google.com
Ping request could not find host google.com. Please check the name and try again
.




Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright © 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Luke>Ping 209.183.226.152

Pinging 209.183.226.152 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.0.1: Destination net unreachable.
Reply from 192.168.0.1: Destination net unreachable.
Reply from 192.168.0.1: Destination net unreachable.
Reply from 192.168.0.1: Destination net unreachable.

Ping statistics for 209.183.226.152:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),

so you are not losing the connection to the router - just the internet - did other devices also lose the connection to the internet = did you see the status of the lights on the router / modem at all - did they change

Yes, when this happens all devices lose connection to the internet. Generally, the 2nd light from top goes out or occasionally both 2nd and 3rd lights go out (see picture below).

have a look at this user manual
ftp://downloads.netgear.com/files/dg834n_setup_man.pdf
explains the lights

I would contact the ISP - sounds like you have a line issue