Stumped.
PROBLEM: Trying to figure out what the fuck is up with my internet connection. Again.
We have two computers; mine is a desktop connected directly through a cable to a wireless router, which is (obviously) plugged into the modem. My SO connects via said router to the wireless card in HIS desktop.
The issue was sporadic at first. It would go down every 2 minutes or so. It would give me the error message "a network cable is unplugged", but if I power cycled everything (router and modem) it would work again. For another 2 minutes.
So, I called the cable company who insisted that the error tells them it's a problem with either my router, or a cable connected from it. Okay. I'm inclined to see the wisdom in that. I even plugged MY computer directly into the modem, which seemed to solve the issue, so...yeah. Router.
I went and bought another router ($70 a pop) and used the cables that came in the box, killing what should have been two birds with one stone. And the issue continued to happen. Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot. If it's going to keep doing this shit with new-out-of-the-box equipment, that couldn't be the issue. I was going to return it and get my money back. Which I did.
I plugged in the old router a couple hours later and our connection is FINE again. Stable as the day is long, no issues. For about two weeks.
Today, it starts happening again. It drops signal every couple of minutes, but if I plug my computer directly into the modem, it works fine. Cable company again insists there is no issue on their end so it has to be us.
My SO also noticed today that every time this shit happens, the digital cable says "no data available" when it usually tells us what show is on and gives us a small blurb about what it's about. Connected? I don't know.
I need ideas and thoughts, because this is weird and I'm confused.
EDIT TO ADD: We went out for about four hours and came back to find that our connection had died totally. My computer was plugged directly into the modem, with no router involvement. So I restarted everything and hooked the router back up.
I've been online without any disconnection for about three hours now.
Strange, or what?
We have two computers; mine is a desktop connected directly through a cable to a wireless router, which is (obviously) plugged into the modem. My SO connects via said router to the wireless card in HIS desktop.
The issue was sporadic at first. It would go down every 2 minutes or so. It would give me the error message "a network cable is unplugged", but if I power cycled everything (router and modem) it would work again. For another 2 minutes.
So, I called the cable company who insisted that the error tells them it's a problem with either my router, or a cable connected from it. Okay. I'm inclined to see the wisdom in that. I even plugged MY computer directly into the modem, which seemed to solve the issue, so...yeah. Router.
I went and bought another router ($70 a pop) and used the cables that came in the box, killing what should have been two birds with one stone. And the issue continued to happen. Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot. If it's going to keep doing this shit with new-out-of-the-box equipment, that couldn't be the issue. I was going to return it and get my money back. Which I did.
I plugged in the old router a couple hours later and our connection is FINE again. Stable as the day is long, no issues. For about two weeks.
Today, it starts happening again. It drops signal every couple of minutes, but if I plug my computer directly into the modem, it works fine. Cable company again insists there is no issue on their end so it has to be us.
My SO also noticed today that every time this shit happens, the digital cable says "no data available" when it usually tells us what show is on and gives us a small blurb about what it's about. Connected? I don't know.
I need ideas and thoughts, because this is weird and I'm confused.
Operating System and VERSION: XP Home, Version 2002, Service pack 2
Web Browser and VERSION: Firefox and IE, this question really doesn't apply to the problem.
Your level of experience: An unused(2002) Bachelor's Degree in Computer Systems Tech. Technology has changed A LOT since then, so I know more than the average bear, but I'm not God.
Duration of problem: Sporadically about three weeks total.
Any steps you've taken to troubleshoot?: Detailed in the above. Replaced the router and cables, plugged directly into the modem to test connection.
EDIT TO ADD: We went out for about four hours and came back to find that our connection had died totally. My computer was plugged directly into the modem, with no router involvement. So I restarted everything and hooked the router back up.
I've been online without any disconnection for about three hours now.
Strange, or what?