Router or Modem Problem?

[JackRydden224]

I have a belkin N600D DB router that's been working fine since September but all the sudden last night it had trouble staying connected to the internet. I can connect to the router but the router is not connected to the internet. When I connect the computer straight to the model it works fine. I don't get disconnected.

I when to bestbuy and exchanged for a new one but the same problem persist. I can connect to the internet but then the connection between the router and modem dies. I can't stay connected for more than 10 minutes. When I try to diagnose the problem it sells me that the DNS server isn't responding. I have no idea what that means. I subscribe to Cox.

At this point I'm at a complete lost. Any insight on this issue would be great.

Thanks

[TheExpertish]

I would try calling Cox and see if they can help. You'll probably have to get transferred to level 2 or 3 before they get it figured, but at least they should be able to pinpoint where the issue is coming from.

[JDay]

Try setting the DNS servers on the router to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (Google's public DNS).

[little_twin]

Try a new Ethernet cable. Is the modem staying online the entire time? There should be lights on the modem that will tell you if its online or not.

[the86d]

Most likely you lost your DHCP lease, or something went wonkie due to a power hiccup...

SO... when you plugged in your computer direct, the computer's HARDWARE ADDRESS (MAC addy) from your computer pulled an IP from their DHCP service, and will not pull another (as they don't want you to have more than one, or won't let you... rather) one for your router, as your computer already has one in their eyes.

Next time: just cycle power from the wall to your computer, and not start unplugging network cables, and replugging things. Pull the plug on your cable modem then plug it back in (110v "wall side"), then router (same way), then you should always be good if this same issue happens again in the future.

To fix it, plug your modem into your router's WAN/Internet port, plug your computer into a LAN port then:
What THEY need to do at your provider is (call them and say) "I need you to release the DHCP(/PPoE?) lease for me, as I plugged in the wrong device, so the MAC is currently wrong" make sure they do so, or ask for a supervisor if they sound like they do not know what a MAC address, or DHCP is... After they do so, you should be good if you cycle power in the order I stated above.

Hope this was a resolve for your issue... as it happens with Cable providers, and DSL providers (and even FiOS) all the time.

I have less issues with this on my FiOS as I run my router/modem combo on a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). This has me cycling power to my router/modem almost never, and the computers are on clean(er) power, as they are plugged into it too. The drawback is that most UPS's will pull full power (700VA, 1000VA) to keep kosher current all the time, so you don't save power even if the computers are off...

[JackRydden224]

This turned out to be the service provider's issue.

I did complaint that because of the outage they cost me some potential good deals (on Calguns of course) and managed to get my bill reduced....

[high_revs]

another option when isolating the problem is direct connect to the modem. remove the router from the equation. they'll usually want to do that when you contact customer service since they don't want to fix 'router' issues. you may just have to reboot your machine since sometimes, that's what it takes to recognize the direct connection to the modem.

i'd do the power cycling like 86d above suggests too.

[JackRydden224]

another option when isolating the problem is direct connect to the modem. remove the router from the equation. they'll usually want to do that when you contact customer service since they don't want to fix 'router' issues. you may just have to reboot your machine since sometimes, that's what it takes to recognize the direct connection to the modem.

i'd do the power cycling like 86d above suggests too.

That's actually exactly what I did trying diagnose the problem. I took the route out of the network and the connection never died when I was connecting directly to the modem. It made no sense to me. It wasn't the router and it wasn' t the modem.

I'm glad this problem is past me now. Not having internet is horrible for a CGN addict.

[paul0660]

Thanks for following up on this.