# Weird wireless router problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 1, 2008, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550 "2008-04-01T16:54:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/1 "2008-04-01T16:54:44Z")
Forgive me, I’m not IT, I just play one on tv. So I apologize in advance for any “the thing is doing that thing and it’s not working!” aspects to this thread. Anyway, there are two laptops and two desktops in my office. All of us connect to the internet and our email via our wireless router. For the last several days, every day, the desktops - and only the desktops - lose their connectivity. Can’t send or receive email (we use offsite servers) or connect to the internet. The laptops are fine. The only thing that solves this problem is to unplug the router and plug it back in. Then all is fine until the next day about the same time (late morning) and it happens again. IT consultant suggested just going and getting a new router (we use a Linksys) - or adding wireless cards to the desktops. I have no problem getting a new router, but thought I try here first to see if anyone knows what this is? Have you ever heard of such a thing? ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/2 "2008-04-01T17:06:58Z")
Many cheap home/office routers have buggy software. It isn’t unusual for them to lock up or act strangely. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/3 "2008-04-01T17:17:28Z")
My cheap Wal\*Mart $50 LinkSys WRT54G with 3 desktops and two WiFi laptops works like a champ and all the other LinkSys routers I have used have worked great. Do easy fix first. Get another router and see if it fixes it. $50 is cheapest thing to try first if you do not have a Guru to come in and mess with it for free… YMMV [i]spellink\* ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/4 "2008-04-01T17:21:48Z")
I had recently been facing such an issue at home a router that had worked great for years started acting flaky in a manor similar to what you are experiencing. Things would stop working and if I unplugged it and plugged it back in again things worked fine for a few days then flakiness again. Then one fine day it quit completely. It turned out that the wall wort failed. A new wall wort fixed it and it worked great again no more problems. If you have a compatible power adapter you might try that. ---
**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/5 "2008-04-01T17:23:52Z")
You could update the firmware of the router first. That may help. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/6 "2008-04-01T18:12:26Z")
second updating the router firmware. Having said that I’ve had horrid reliability issues with Linksys routers, and finally abandoned them for Netgear; much happier now. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/7 "2008-04-01T18:22:05Z")
More info, please: -The laptops are connecting wirelessly? -The desktops are connected to the router via ethernet? ---
**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/8 "2008-04-01T18:41:40Z")
[QUOTE=Astroboy14] More info, please: -The laptops are connecting wirelessly? -The desktops are connected to the router via ethernet? [/QUOTE] That’s what I assumed based on the OP’s mention of IT’s suggestion of getting wireless cards for the desktops. To the OP, does the router show PC connectivity when the internet fails (as in, is the PC connection LED on the router flashing or is it off)? Are you doing any weird regarding IP configurations? Oh, try checking the power management settings on the network cards on the desktops. Right click Desktop -\> Properties -\> Device Manager -\> Network Adaptors. Make sure “allow windows to turn this device off to save power” is NOT checked. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/9 "2008-04-01T19:07:54Z")
Herewith commences the stupid questions: > [@gazpacho](#): > > It turned out that the wall wort failed. A new wall wort fixed it and it worked great again no more problems. What is wall wort? Is that like St. John’s Wort? 🆒 > [@Flander](#): > > You could update the firmware of the router first. That may help. How do I do that? > [@Astroboy14](#): > > -The laptops are connecting wirelessly? > -The desktops are connected to the router via ethernet? Yes, laptops are wireless. Here is where I really show my ass… I’m not sure I understand what an ethernet is. Can I offer you some useless facts re: FCC requirements for Public Files? That’s something I know a bit about… > [@Flander](#): > > To the OP, does the router show PC connectivity when the internet fails (as in, is the PC connection LED on the router flashing or is it off)? Are you doing any weird regarding IP configurations? I will check this tomorrow when, predictably, it goes down. I really don’t think we’re doing any weird IP configurations. In the end, I bet I’ll end up just buying a new router. But I am just not comfortable not knowing why this is happening and how to fix it. I want to learn, dammit! ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/10 "2008-04-01T19:15:21Z")
[QUOTE=niblet\_head] What is wall wort? Is that like St. John’s Wort? 🆒 [/quote] It’s the plug. Specifically, a plug with a transformer attached(the black box). > [@](#): > > Yes, laptops are wireless. Here is where I really show my ass… I’m not sure I understand what an ethernet is. Ethernet is wired networking. Are the desktops attached to the router with a wire, or are they wireless too? ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/11 "2008-04-01T19:19:39Z")
No they are attached via our network. They are wired, IOW. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/12 "2008-04-01T19:23:18Z")
BTW, "ether"net is a stupid thing to call something connected with cables. I think of “the ether”, I think of the space between planets. ---
**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/13 "2008-04-01T19:31:33Z")
[QUOTE=niblet\_head] How do I do that? [/QUOTE] Go [here](http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_CASupport_C1&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1166859841396&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=4139637314B03) and select your router’s model number, or simply type it into the search box on the left. Once you find your model number, you’ll see a link to download firmware updates. Download the file and save it to your computer. Next, open your web browser and type 192.168.1.1 in the address bar (delete any http:// stuff). Press Enter. This _should_ bring up a password promt. If you haven’t ever changed the password, it should be “admin”. Leave the username (the top field) blank. \*This will bring up the routers configuration menues. There should be an “Administrative” tab that has an option to upload your new firmware file (which you saved earlier). You may have to dig around the menus a bit. Use the updater to browse for the file, then continue. DO NOT FUCK WITH IT WHILE IT’S UPDATING! If will let you know when it’s done. \*Going from memory from here on out. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/14 "2008-04-01T19:43:52Z")
[QUOTE=niblet\_head] BTW, "ether"net is a stupid thing to call something connected with cables. I think of “the ether”, I think of the space between planets. [/QUOTE] It’s called “Ethernet” because in the original Ethernet networks, every computer was connected to the same cable. The cable was called “the ether” because it was a shared medium. In retrospect, “Ethernet” would have been a much better name for a wireless network. Maybe we should start calling WiFi Aethernet for maximum confusion. ---
**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/15 "2008-04-01T19:46:57Z")
[QUOTE=Rysto] Maybe we should start calling WiFi Aethernet for maximum confusion. [/QUOTE] I think you mean “Æthernet”. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/16 "2008-04-01T19:47:22Z")
[QUOTE=niblet\_head] BTW, "ether"net is a stupid thing to call something connected with cables. I think of “the ether”, I think of the space between planets. [/QUOTE] Take it up with Robert Metcalfe, who invented (and named) it a quarter-century ago. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2008, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/17 "2008-04-01T20:11:11Z")
Bastard! Let me at 'im! ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2008, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/18 "2008-04-02T19:56:36Z")
[QUOTE=Flander] Go [here](http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_CASupport_C1&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1166859841396&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=4139637314B03) and select your router’s model number, or simply type it into the search box on the left. Once you find your model number, you’ll see a link to download firmware updates. Download the file and save it to your computer. Next, open your web browser and type 192.168.1.1 in the address bar (delete any http:// stuff). Press Enter. This _should_ bring up a password promt. If you haven’t ever changed the password, it should be “admin”. Leave the username (the top field) blank. \*This will bring up the routers configuration menues. There should be an “Administrative” tab that has an option to upload your new firmware file (which you saved earlier). You may have to dig around the menus a bit. Use the updater to browse for the file, then continue. DO NOT FUCK WITH IT WHILE IT’S UPDATING! If will let you know when it’s done. \*Going from memory from here on out. [/QUOTE] I have a follow up question: if this is a firmware issue, shouldn’t all the computers be affected? ---
**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2008, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/19 "2008-04-02T20:45:48Z")
[QUOTE=niblet\_head] I have a follow up question: if this is a firmware issue, shouldn’t all the computers be affected? [/QUOTE] No idea. It seems to be a problem with how the router is handling the wired connections which _could_ be traced to firmware behavior. If anything, if this doesn’t work, you know what problem it’s NOT. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2008, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550/20 "2008-04-02T21:11:20Z")
[QUOTE=t-bonham@scc.net] Take it up with Robert Metcalfe, who invented (and named) it a quarter-century ago. [/QUOTE] It gets worse. The [MIchelson-Morley](http://galileoandeinstein.physics.virginia.edu/more_stuff/flashlets/mmexpt6.htm) experiment proved that there is no Ether. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weird-wireless-router-problem/443550.md?page=2)