Member Avatar for Phorsha

Facts;
-Upgraded a dlink dsl 300+ modem to a netgear adsl2 dm11p modem.

-Pc 1 running vista will connect fine.

-Pc2 on wireless (netgear wgr614v3 ) running XP will connect but within 60 seconds they both lose their connection. I have disabled the firewall on Pc2 but it made no difference. I have configured the router to have all the mac addresses on the ‘safe list’ but i mean nothing has changed with this device so im thinking it shouldnt be the problem.

-ALL lights on both hardware devices indicate that there isn’t a problem.

Im reluctant to play with this vista box, 1 because i don’t know what im doing and 2 because its been nothing but a bloody nightmare!

ALL that has changed is the modem so updating firmware etc doesnt seem neccessary..

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

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Dani AI

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Because the only obvious change was the new modem, treat the gateway (modem/router) as the most likely place to start. Intermittent drops when a second client joins usually point to either a gateway configuration clash (two DHCP/PPP services, double NAT, or PPPoE session limits), a DHCP/IP conflict, or hardware/power issues that can leave LEDs on while the device fails under load.

Practical checklist to narrow it down:

  • Isolate: disconnect everything and bring devices up one at a time. Test the wired PC alone, then the wireless client alone, then both.
  • Check addressing: on each client run ipconfig /all (Windows) to verify they get distinct LAN IPs, the same gateway, and valid DHCP lease times. Try assigning a temporary static IP to rule out DHCP conflicts.
  • Gateway mode: confirm whether the modem is acting as a router/DHCP server or in bridge mode. If both modem and router are handing out addresses or doing NAT, disable one (preferably leave the router in control).
  • Wireless specifics: as suggested, try forcing the AP to a single mode and a non-overlapping channel; also test with encryption off briefly to rule out driver/driver+encryption interaction.
  • Logs and firmware: check the router/modem system logs for DHCP/PPP disconnects and update firmware only after backing up config.
  • Power/hardware check: if a device shows lights but is unstable, try a verified spare power adapter, a different outlet, or swap the unit with a known-good router temporarily. Do not factory-reset until configuration is backed up.

If these steps still point to the gateway, the hardware is suspect and a replacement or RMA is the next practical step.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for disophisis

What type of wireless are we talking? is your router set to broadcast b and g signals or just g? if both, try setting it to the one that you need.

Member Avatar for Phorsha

Its under channel 11 g&b I have no idea what it's meant to be...

Also - both machines can ping each other.

Member Avatar for disophisis

Let me get this straight; You have one box hardwired to your network and one box that is wireless? The wired one has no problems but the wireless one does?

If it says that b and g are enabled, try selecting just g.

Member Avatar for Phorsha

Both devices apparently are dead even know they both had power.

Case closed.

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