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General discussion

Power Cycle Every Hour

Dec 9, 2007 1:33PM PST

Hello,

I have encountered a problem that I have encountered before, but this just started happening again.

My internet connection goes randomly dead and it just stops working completely. Once I do a FULL power cycle it comes back on instantly. This is a very annoying issue and my ISP's tech support isn't helping me very much. What they did say though is that my modem was "offline" to them, even though it was fully powered on and all the lights were on. I don't know what the problem is, but it's a huge problem to me.

I do have a router, but I really don't think it's the routers fault. My router is a Linksys WRT54GS With Speed Booster Version 6.0 (here's the link: http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1148435315453&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=1545323093B04) and I have the latest firmware installed. The "wireless" option on the router is disabled, I chose to do this. No ports have been opened and I don't know what to do.

I have avast! antivirus and can't see that causing any problems.

My guess is is that it's the modem. I want your take on things before I do anything though.

Discussion is locked

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The WRT54GS is known to hang when...
Dec 9, 2007 11:37PM PST

P2P software is run. If you don't but use anything less than WPA encryption... you will likely see it hang.

Bob

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WPA Personal
Dec 11, 2007 3:48AM PST

I use "WPA Personal" and WPA Algorithms: "TKIP", is there anything wrong here? I don't use P2P software (if your talking about Kazaa/Limwire, I stopped using that about a month ago). What can I do?

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Kazaa, limewire can be hard to kill.
Dec 11, 2007 3:59AM PST

I rarely find it gone even after the owner removes it.

As a test, email me your HIJACKTHIS LOG. Use my forum contact (click on my name) and paste the result there.

See http://www.whatthetech.com/hijackthis/

Bob

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Done!
Dec 11, 2007 4:12AM PST

Just sent it! Thanks again.

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See those (file missing) entries?
Dec 11, 2007 4:53AM PST
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Firmware is up to date.
Dec 11, 2007 5:03AM PST

My firmware is completely up to date. What are the missing files, do you know (I'm using Vista if that has anything to do with it).

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Look at your HJT log file.
Dec 11, 2007 6:22AM PST

Those file missing items should be figured out. It's unlikely to be the issue but at this point I'd disable wifi in the router if you can. It's starting to sound like it's a bum router.

Bob

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Wifi Has Been Disabled
Dec 11, 2007 7:35AM PST

I disabled Wi Fi about a few days ago, at the same time I closed all ports on my router. Could this be the problem?

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Try it our way.
Dec 11, 2007 9:18AM PST

Sorry if I was unclear. We have a sticky post about settings in our Network Forum.

-> I'm unsure if I missed it that you were closing ports but that's a great clue. Many routers crash on that so take ALL the default settings, then WPA-PSK for wifi, broadcast SSID and NO OTHER SETTING changes. This is what is known to work well. If you don't crash the router this it's just like all the others...

Bob

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Done those things now.
Dec 11, 2007 1:00PM PST

I restored factory defaults and enabled "WPA Personal" with "TKIP", theres nothing that says WPA-PSK. Let's see what happens I guess!

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The P in PSK is...
Dec 11, 2007 9:43PM PST
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why?
Dec 16, 2007 12:47PM PST

You said the wireless was disabled, so why's the encryption turned on?

Have you gone into the router interface program and turned off the Access Restrictions section? You or someone may have set up a policy or two in there. If so, remove them, change them, or turn access restrictions off.

You can always plug your broadband service direct to your computer for a time and see if the problem goes away. If so, then it's at the router.

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because
Dec 16, 2007 10:59PM PST

It turned out they didn't need wifi at this time. Since P2P use can crash the router it's a way to dismiss that issue and see where the issue is.

Bob

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Oh!
Dec 11, 2007 4:36AM PST

I think I misunderstood you. I recently reinstalled my operating system (Windows Vista Home Premium) and didn't install any P2P software.

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I do see you have some media version running.
Dec 11, 2007 4:55AM PST

Some of the older WRT54GS would lock up when media was streamed. I see some entries that could do that. Check that router's firmware to see if it's out of date.

Bob

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Yes, it's up to date.
Dec 11, 2007 5:06AM PST

Yes, the firmware is up to date, I have the WRT54GS Version 6 (newest is 7) so I wouldn't consider it old. On more of a curiosity note, do modems store information like URL's and such in their RAM? If so, how to get rid of them? I've been using this modem for about a year now and am on the computer more than most people (about 14 hours a day) and that could be the problem.

Thanks again!