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mo44t 0 Newbie Poster

3 Computers
1 Hardwired
2 Wireless
Windows ME
Linksys Router BEFW11S4
Speedstream 4200 Modem

I have had all 3 computers working good for 4 years thru Alltel/Windstream
Windstream sent new Modem.
Worked fine for 3 weeks until Oct. 7
Had problem connecting to Internet & E-Mail.
Called Windstream Tech.
They had me disconnect Router & connect 1 computer to Modem & changed IP address.
1 Computer works fine.
Tried connecting Router back up, but don't know how to.
Windstream says it is PPPoe. Tried that
Tried Obtain Automatically. Connects but have to reboot all after leaving computer for apprx 1 hour.
Any Help is greatly appreciated.
You will be conversing with a dummy, so please be easy......LOL
Thank You

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Dani AI

Generated

— here is a short, practical checklist to isolate where the problem lies and restore a stable connection. Follow the steps carefully and keep a note of any existing settings (SSID, wireless key, passwords) before you change anything.

  1. Power-cycle in order. Power off the modem, wait 30–60 seconds, power it on and wait until its lights are steady. Then power the router and finally a single PC. This ensures the modem has a fresh lease to hand out.
  2. Test the modem alone. Connect one PC directly to the modem and open a command window. Run ipconfig /all and record the IP address, subnet mask, default gateway and DNS servers. Also note if the system asks for a username/password when you try to browse — that tells you whether the ISP expects a login-based connection.
  3. Check the router WAN page. Log into the router GUI and inspect the Internet/WAN status: is it showing a valid public IP or a self-assigned address like 169.254.x.x? No public IP means the router is not receiving a lease.
  4. Tweak WAN settings if needed. If the ISP requires credentials enter them in the router WAN settings; otherwise set the router to receive an IP automatically. If the connection drops after some time, try lowering the MTU to 1492, enable keep-alive/reconnect options, or use the router’s MAC-clone feature (copy the working PC MAC into the router WAN MAC).
  5. If problems persist, back up the router config, check for firmware updates, then consider a factory reset and reconfigure. If the modem itself also routes/NATs, ask the ISP to put it into bridge mode so only one device does NAT.

If you post the ipconfig /all output (mask any passwords) and a screenshot of the router WAN/status page I will point to the exact fields to change.

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