Netgear WRN 2000 Router problem

montehampster · 22-01-2009, 09:11

Can someone please save my sanity?

I recently upgraded to 20 mg (well to be honest I've had the new Scientific Atlanta modem for ages but was put off upgrading by the need to contact Virgin to activate as the last time I rang them re the TV it took me 75 mins to get through!) and everything worked albeit I could see no improvement in speed and in fact the laptop upstairs was slower if anything.

I was told by a friend he had purchased the above and a USB dongle to get Wireless N and that dramatically improved his system. So last Friday I purchased one at PC World with the adapter in a bundle. Got it home, used the accompanying set up CD and, as promised on the box, was up and running like a dream within about 20 minutes. The following morning still OK came home later that day to discover the wired PC had frozen. On reboot no internet connection to the wired PC but wirelessly connected laptop working fine. Played around to the best of my limited ability but got nowhere.

On Sunday I reset the router and started again and all installed as before connection dropped after about 4 hours! So last night decided to again reset the router and this time connect up entirely manually. All working a treat (according to Mozilla Firefox broadband test 18 mb on wired machine while daughter was streaming the BBC iPlayer upstairs on the laptop) but got up this morning and the same problem.

Normally when I've network issues in the past its been the wireless items that been the problem but here it seems to be the wired machine. Not even sure who to contact for advice since cable clearly working and the router. Is it my PC?

Any help or pointers greatly appreciated.

chickendippers · 22-01-2009, 09:37

This should be in the general Networking section, and the problem is not with a Virgin Media service or equipment.

MovedGoalPosts · 22-01-2009, 10:02

thread moved

Has the router got current firmware?

What is running on the wired PC? Could something be "overloadeing" a connection such as P2P?

montehampster · 22-01-2009, 10:09

Yes firmware updated on installation.

Only thing running on the PC is a Logitch Squeezebox for streaming music but that has to be "switched on" - the loss of service is when this is off. Its not even automatically scheduled updates IE anti virus that causes it as far as I can tell.

montehampster · 22-01-2009, 12:27

Just a thought - could it be a cable problem?

I'm using an "old" cable from PC to router (Netgear supplied yellow cable from modem router) - not a home to check any markings - although it does work flawlessly when connected direct to modem.

Getting desperate!

Peter_ · 22-01-2009, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by montehampster

Just a thought - could it be a cable problem?

I'm using an "old" cable from PC to router (Netgear supplied yellow cable from modem router) - not a home to check any markings - although it does work flawlessly when connected direct to modem.

Getting desperate!

I know that the recommended cable to use with that router is a CAT6 ethernet cable.

montehampster · 23-01-2009, 08:45

The router came with a Cat 5 cable and I've tried swopping out the PC to router cable with a new Cat 5 (borrowed from work) but it made no difference. Don't have access to a Cat 6 and loathe to shell out more money at this stage.

Netgear support said: -

"I understand that your wired internet connection drops through PC. Regarding your concern, I would suggest you follow below steps to reduce mtu size settings on router:

Change MTU size on the router using the steps below:

1. Open the browser (Internet Explorer or Netscape)
2. Access the router (usually http://192.168.1.1)
3. Login to the router (User Name = admin Password = password unless you have changed it)
4. Click on the "WAN Setup"
5. Change the MTU size to 1492
6. Click Apply
7. Logout of the router

If the current MTU size does not provide a good result you may try decreasing the MTU size by a random number till 900 to check which ever suits your connection the best. You need not reboot the router after each setup. It is simply required to Apply the setting changes.

It made absolutely no difference. I can see me having to battle with PC World for an exchange to a Belkin!

montehampster · 26-01-2009, 09:11

Thanks for all the advice.

After a few days of exchanging emails Netgear have confirmed router has a hardware fault and I've obtained a full refund from PC World.

Reinstalled the old Belkin router and amazed how quick it is now running! Saved myself a few quid!