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Resolved Question

Laptop breaking routers?

Dec 21, 2011 11:42PM PST

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, or quite what's happening or if this is even possible, but here we go anyway.
I live at 2 addresses (families, eh?). 2 days ago, my router started dropping connection, and disconnecting all devices from it. We all just assumed it was the router playing up, and were preparing to call BT to get them to come and sort the problem out.
The next day I was at house #2. Upon connecting my laptop to the router there, low and behold, the connection dropped out! All other devices were booted off the network as well.

Now, how likely is it that both routers, at 2 addresses miles apart, can both be having identical problems?
Also, is it possible for one laptop to single handedly mess up 2 routers whilst kicking off every device on them?
My iPod can't even find the network when this happens, and our other laptops just can't connect to the routers, but can see the connection.

Discussion is locked

onestopshopper2 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Yes. But no so much break but cause problems.
Dec 22, 2011 12:34AM PST

The old VISTA BROADCAST FLAG proved that the router makers were being lax and not keeping up. This feature in Windows can result in the scenario you noted and is (A) a sign the router is out of date on the firmware, (B) can be turned off in Windows (google Vista Broadcast Flag) and (C) a shame of the industry that rolled out such a feature and created too much trouble for folk that don't want to become network gurus.

Hope that's it.
Bob

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Vista on 7?
Dec 22, 2011 3:39AM PST

Would this still apply in Windows 7 then? I read something about turning this off on Windows 7, but it involves messing with the registry, something which despite doing before, I'm not fond of doing.
I doubt it's the router software going out of date (both routers on the same day, ish, sounds unlikely, especially from different companies)

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Sorry for the typo.
Dec 22, 2011 3:44AM PST

I meant not instead of no in that sentence.

I offered one example where Microsoft rolled out an OS that bludgeoned many routers into reboots, lockups and more.

We have to consider that most of us do not want to deal with router firmware updates, settings in Windows that required a change to a registry and then have to ask the bad question.

If you are not willing to make a change then what solution is there?

For most it will be to return the laptop as defective and try another. That has worked too.
Bob

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post
Dec 22, 2011 8:08PM PST

I can't return it now, warranty is over.

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Can you share which web page you read?
Dec 22, 2011 11:46PM PST

Changing registry entries is not considered messing with the registry if you have read a few too many Microsoft KB articles. They have us do that a lot. I symp with those that don't want to do this but it is Windows.
Bob

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Here you go
Dec 23, 2011 3:38AM PST
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The DHCP broadcast flag is another one.
Dec 23, 2011 5:53AM PST

It's one of those things that can cause older routers with old firmware to flake out like you noted.

If the restore helped, that's fine. But you know what to investigate later if it acts up.

Let me be very blunt. If a router locks up, reboots or needs a reboot when you connect, then the fault is in the router.
Bob

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Thanks
Dec 24, 2011 3:11AM PST

All seems well now, not had a problem today in one router, just connected to the other, so let's see!

Thanks for the help, learnt a lot!

Merry Christmas to you. Silly