Re: wireless internet stops working at times

On Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:44:15 -0400, mussashimits
<mussashimits.2s6gbk@no-mx.wirelessforums.org> wrote:

>I have a Motorolla SB5100 Surfboard Cable modem and a Belkin Wireless G
>Router.

Any particular model number Belkin G router?
Check if it has the latest firmware.

>Sometimes the wireless internet simply stops working, and to
>get the internet to work, one must connect directly to the cable modem.

If the modem is working, but the wireless is not, then the problem is
probably in the wireless. It takes 2 to tango. What's on the other
end of the wireless link? If it's a laptop, are you sure you're not
shutting down, going idle, running into power save, or otherwise
timing out the connection? Also, same problem as the Belkin. Do you
have the latest drivers? How's the signal strength? How's the signal
quality?

>I think the problem lies in the cable modem though because we've had
>two different routers and the same problem occurs.

There are 4 parts to this puzzle.
1. Cable modem
2. Belkin Wireless
3. RF environment (interference)
4. Unspecified client computer.
By replacing only one part of the puzzle, you're only proving that
it's NOT the Belkin. It could easily be your cordless phone,
microwave oven, or a list of others. See:
<http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Interference>

>The internet seems to stop working either when no one is using it,

Ummmm.... if nobody is using it, how do you know it's not working?

>or,
>so it seems, when there's an overload of information (too much being
>downloaded or transmitted).

Well, that's a possible problem. Are you doing any peer-to-peer file
sharing? Opening a huge number of IP sockets and streams is a well
known way of hanging a router. See:
<http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Fast_Fixes_to_Wi-Fi_Problems#Wireless_router_locks_up_and_has_to_be _restarted>

>Might anyone know how I can fix this problem? Thanks very much for your
>time.

I usually fix things by substitution. I think it's a fair bet that
the Motorola modem is fine. Try connecting with a different model
laptop. Also try borrowing a different model wireless router. If
possible, do your testing with the client computah fairly close to the
wireless router. That won't eliminate the effects of interference,
but will eliminate a weak signal as a possible cause.


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