Getting knocked offline...

[Steve]

My home computer is an iMac. My internet service is through AT&T DSL. My network setup consists of a Motorola DSL modem and a Linksys wireless router. The router and modem are configured PPPoE so the controls and settings are made through the router only. My iMac is connected to the router with a network cable.

In the living room are a PS3 and an Xbox360. The PS3 (old fat style) is connected to the modem with a network cable. The Xbox360 is an older style and connects to the network using the wireless adapter. The adapter is the older style with only one antenna. I also use a laptop (Windows) in the living room that connects wirelessly. Both gaming consoles and the laptop all connect to the network with no problem. The problem comes when I am using a gaming console (either one) and then someone gets online with the laptop. The gaming console is knocked offline every single time. Without exception. It never fails. Ever. I can always reconnect the console and then both components are successfully online at the same time. The reverse is also true. If someone is using the laptop and then someone fires up a game console the laptop is knocked offline. Why does this happen, and what can I do to fix it?

Thanks to anyone who can help me out.

[Steve]

Follow-up question: (a little more basic I hope) When using a separate router and modem, assuming everything is set up properly, if one device is already online (whether wired or wirelessly) should that device get knocked off when another device connects? Can someone tell me if this is at least normal or not? I'm starting to suspect my router may be going out, but I'm not 100% sure yet. Thanks.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Steve

Follow-up question: (a little more basic I hope) When using a separate router and modem, assuming everything is set up properly, if one device is already online (whether wired or wirelessly) should that device get knocked off when another device connects? Can someone tell me if this is at least normal or not? I'm starting to suspect my router may be going out, but I'm not 100% sure yet. Thanks.

That doesn't sound right. However...how many devices are connected already, and don't routers have a maximum # of connections? I think I can input (hardwire) 4 devices.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by John72953

That doesn't sound right. However...how many devices are connected already, and don't routers have a maximum # of connections? I think I can input (hardwire) 4 devices.

My iMac, alarm system, and PS3 are all wired connections. The alarm system is always monitored, and the iMac is almost always on. It never seems to lose its connection for some reason however. The PS3 sees daily use, but isn't on constantly. The laptop, Xbox360, and Wii connect wirelessly. The laptop sees the most use and the Wii the least.

Essentially the load on the router is usually the iMac and the alarm system with one gaming console and/or the laptop a lot of the time. I don't think I've ever tried to use more than 4 components at once. Do you think I'm trying to use too many devices at once? The funny thing (to me) is that once a new component knocks off another one, the original component can reconnect and then everything's up and running. It's just the initial knock-off that's so annoying.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Steve

My iMac, alarm system, and PS3 are all wired connections. The alarm system is always monitored, and the iMac is almost always on. It never seems to lose its connection for some reason however. The PS3 sees daily use, but isn't on constantly. The laptop, Xbox360, and Wii connect wirelessly. The laptop sees the most use and the Wii the least.

Essentially the load on the router is usually the iMac and the alarm system with one gaming console and/or the laptop a lot of the time. I don't think I've ever tried to use more than 4 components at once. Do you think I'm trying to use too many devices at once? The funny thing (to me) is that once a new component knocks off another one, the original component can reconnect and then everything's up and running. It's just the initial knock-off that's so annoying.

That's exactly it, the router can't handle the amount of devices you have connected, both wired and via wifi. How old is the router, and what brand is it? My parents had that issue with their D-Link, and went out to buy a Belkin that supported more devices back in 2008/2009. That D-Link couldn't support all of our devices back then, and we had the same issues. We keep out stuff on all the time though, and the kick off would just occur randomly if someone actually began using a device:

Dad's Desktop
Dad's Crackberry
Mom's Laptop
Mom's Netbook
Mom's Crackberry
Brother's Desktop
Brother's Laptop #1
Brother's Laptop #2
Brother's Crackberry
My Netbook
My Laptop #1
My Laptop #2

They've since switched internet providers (last month), and get the wifi through the modem the new provider provided. I've also moved out of the house, but the modem still has to deal with the following, all on wi-fi, with no knock-offs yet:

Dad's desktop
Dad's Crackberry
Mom's new Laptop (other one died up)
Mom's Netbook (sporadically)
Mom's Crackberry
Mom's Rooted Nook Color
My Laptop #1 (which is now my mother's)
My Laptop #2 (only these past two weeks)
My iJesusPhone 4 (only when I visit)
My Rooted Nook Color (only when I visit)
Brother's Laptop #1 (on its last legs, I'm amazed it's still running since it's a 6 year old Acer, and has been beat to pieces, the touchpad is literally missing)
Brother's Laptop #2
Brother's Crackberry
Brother's Acer Iconia tablet
Brother's Wii
Sharp HP-35U Blu-ray Player

My own modem/wifi-router has to deal with 7-8 peripherals as well, although I've never had an issue with anything being kicked off.

[Steve]

The router is a Linksys WRT54GS. I wouldn't have thought that having 4 devices on it at once would be too much. And like you noted, the knock-offs only occur when a new device (the 4th one) is added. However, the device that gets knocked off can then reconnect and everything is good from that point on for all 4 connected devices.

[rdodolak]

Now that you mentioned the type of router that issue is starting to sound familiar. What's the revision of the hardware and the version of firmware installed on the router? Do you have the Linksys software installed on your laptop? Is your SSID hidden or being broadcasted?

[Steve]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Now that you mentioned the type of router that issue is starting to sound familiar. What's the revision of the hardware and the version of firmware installed on the router? Do you have the Linksys software installed on your laptop? Is your SSID hidden or being broadcasted?

Hardware Version: 6
Firmware Version: v1.50.6
No software installed on laptop.
SSID: Hidden

As noted in my first post, the router and AT&T DSL modem (Motorola) are set up PPPoE. The modem setup page is disabled and everything is controlled through the router. I always adjust the router settings from my iMac. The modem, router, and iMac all sit on the same desk and the iMac is connected with a cable so I just adjust settings from there.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by Steve

Hardware Version: 6
Firmware Version: v1.50.6
No software installed on laptop.
SSID: Hidden

As noted in my first post, the router and AT&T DSL modem (Motorola) are set up PPPoE. The modem setup page is disabled and everything is controlled through the router. I always adjust the router settings from my iMac. The modem, router, and iMac all sit on the same desk and the iMac is connected with a cable so I just adjust settings from there.

You may want to try and unhide the SSID. Also, there have been at least 10 firmware updates since v1.50.6 was released. Several of which have addressed PPPoE and disconnect issues.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

You may want to try and unhide the SSID. Also, there have been at least 10 firmware updates since v1.50.6 was released. Several of which have addressed PPPoE and disconnect issues.

Thanks for the tips. It's late tonight and I work tomorrow so I'll try them out on Thursday. I'll post back and let you know how it goes.

[Steve]

I just updated the firmware.

Old Version: 1.50.6
New Version: 1.52.8

It was easy to do. It changed the appearance of the Linksys control page, but the layout still appears to be about the same. It looks like the changes were mostly to the coloring of the border and graphics. Anyway I'm going to try this and see how it goes for a couple of days.

Note that I did not unhide the SSID at this point. I prefer to leave that hidden, but if problems persist then I'll change it and see how it goes.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by Steve

I just updated the firmware.

Old Version: 1.50.6
New Version: 1.52.8

It was easy to do. It changed the appearance of the Linksys control page, but the layout still appears to be about the same. It looks like the changes were mostly to the coloring of the border and graphics. Anyway I'm going to try this and see how it goes for a couple of days.

Note that I did not unhide the SSID at this point. I prefer to leave that hidden, but if problems persist then I'll change it and see how it goes.

Most of the changes are within the code of the software. Release notes for the changes can be found here:

http://homedownloads.cisco.com/downl...aseNotes,1.txt

If neither of the above options end up resolving the issue we can also look at the router log to see if there are hints to what might be going on.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

Most of the changes are within the code of the software. Release notes for the changes can be found here:

http://homedownloads.cisco.com/downl...aseNotes,1.txt

If neither of the above options end up resolving the issue we can also look at the router log to see if there are hints to what might be going on.

I appreciate your help. I'll post back in a day or two when we've had a chance to see if this helped or not.

[Steve]

Maybe I'm just imagining it, but it seems web pages are loading faster than before.

[Steve]

So far it looks promising. I haven't had a device bump another one off line yet since doing the update. It's still too early to say anything for sure though.

[The_Donster]

I'm wondering if I'm having the same issue Steve? My 55" LG keeps getting bumped off and I get signed into my neighbors account. Mine is password protected, their's isn't, even though I've told them repeatedly to create a password This is the only wireless device I have that this happens to though, so I don't know where the problem lies?

[Steve]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

I'm wondering if I'm having the same issue Steve? My 55" LG keeps getting bumped off and I get signed into my neighbors account. Mine is password protected, their's isn't, even though I've told them repeatedly to create a password This is the only wireless device I have that this happens to though, so I don't know where the problem lies?

I don't know. Check your firmware and make sure it's up to date. If it's not then update it. It's really easy to do. I learned the hard way that it needs to be done. It may fix your problem. Even if it doesn't it shouldn't cause any other problems. I used the directions found here, but I don't know if you have a Linksys router or not.

http://www.thegeekstuff.com/2009/06/...uter-firmware/

Since updating mine, I've recreated the circumstances where something always got knocked off line in the past, but I haven't been able to get anything to bump off yet.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

I'm wondering if I'm having the same issue Steve? My 55" LG keeps getting bumped off and I get signed into my neighbors account. Mine is password protected, their's isn't, even though I've told them repeatedly to create a password This is the only wireless device I have that this happens to though, so I don't know where the problem lies?

What's the model and firmware version of your TV?

[The_Donster]

^^I have the Netgear N-150 Model #WNR1000v2-VC and my firmware version is V1.0.0.12NA rdodolak. According to my router I'm up to date.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

^^I have the Netgear N-150 Model #WNR1000v2-VC and my firmware version is V1.0.0.12NA rdodolak. According to my router I'm up to date.

Is the router you have leased from Comcast? The WNR1000-2VCNAS is a Comcast model whereas the WNR1000v2 is a retail model.

What about your TV? Are you using a LG wifi USB module or does your TV have the wifi built in? Or is it hardwired to a wifi bridge/access point?

It seems strange that the TV would connect to a different wireless network connection on its own rather than the one you previously set up. I'm wondering if it has something to due with the TV (or both) rather than the router. Almost like it's auto searching for a stronger signal and when it finds it it decides to switch connections.