TECH Do I need a new router?

[brokengold]

I've been having wireless connectivity problems all week. I connect to the internet through a Netgear router and Comcast cable modem. Sometimes the connection drops, seemingly randomly. Sometimes it won't reconnect. Not a Comcast problem because I can unhook the router and use only the modem and the connection to the desktop computer works.

I've tried several things.

1. Rebooting computer,modem,router
2. Changing the MAC address (tried the MAC of my laptop, of my desktop, automatic configuration, default configuration)
3. Manually setting the DNS servers (I called Comcast and asked what DNS servers to use)
4. Resetting the router completely and going through setup again
5. Moving the laptop closer to the router
6. Disabling Windows Firewall
7. Updating the router firmware

What else can I do? Any ideas or do I just need a new router?

 

[scissorhands7]

Have you tried changing your SSID name?
Have you tried going to Start - Run - type in "cmd" without quotations
then type ipconfig/flushdns and then press enter
Have you tried switching your DNS servers to something like Open DNS
(google it)

 

[brokengold]

Have you tried changing your SSID name?
Have you tried going to Start - Run - type in "cmd" without quotations
then type ipconfig/flushdns and then press enter
Have you tried switching your DNS servers to something like Open DNS
(google it)

I tried all of those already

I just enabled "Wired AutoConfig" and restarted "WLAN AutoConfig"...maybe that could help.

 

[scissorhands7]

Yeah that probably was it.

 

[redfred18t]

I remember I had a ton of issues with Charter's supplied Netgear router/modem. It would constantly drop the wireless signal and I couldn't even get online with my 360 (hardwired to router). Within a week I brought it back to Charter's local office and demanded a regular modem. Then I went to best buy and got a linksys modem to avoid this mess.

 

[cmsurfer]

Can you check for a firmware update for the router?

Any cordless devices nearby that may interfere?

 

[dorkultra]

try setting a static ip address for the wireless device connecting to it

otherwise, might be time to upgrade