Genealogy Chat

I have a new computer. The internet worked fine for about three weeks. During the past two weeks I've not been able to access the internet at all. My son can access the internet some days (using his computer) - his computer is hooked up to the modem and router - mine is wireless. (?) The router's lights are flashing - I've been told I need a new router. Any suggestions deeply appreciated. (I will check back here later - I'm at work and must get back to work.) Thank you.

Lisa, We had to disconnect our router last year, about 2 months after we ogt OH a new computer and the router. I ahd nothing but problems getting access to the internet. Blamed the server company ......... but they were the ones who suggested disconnectig the router. No problems after that. Tokk the router back to where we bought it. They looked at it, repaired it ..... and husband brought it home. Now he wants to re-connect it so he can get internet access on his computer. Me ............... I'm holding off!!! It's been sitting there for several months!! My server is the local cable company (I'm north of you in BC!!!) Sylvia

Hi Sylvia: Wow, interesting story! I know NOTHING about computers and my older son is away (my resident computer expert), so even placing phone calls to our providers is frustrating because I don't understand their questions. :( My brother tried to help me and he's the one who mentioned the lights on the router. Perhaps I might have more luck if the router is removed. (Can't be any worse than what is going on now.) Thank you so much for your suggestion. We're having wonderful weather right now - hope yours is nice as well. I'm from Toronto but visited Vancouver and Victoria years ago and simply loved Victoria!

First thoughts are that it is your wireless connection. If you have a laptop easiest way to confirm that is to connect it via ethernet directly to the router. You should have a wireless icon somewhere or under 'network connections' in control panel.. (I am in XP ) clicking on that will give some clues. Routers are usually very reliable. Bob

Routers may be 'very reliable' but there are times when turning off the power for at least 30 seconds can work wonders. New computer suggests to me one running on Vista. In the UK for sure there are an awful lot ofpeople having trouble because the ISP (where you connect to internet) has not updated to Vista - or if it has it has not told you to download an update.. Clive

Hi Bob and Clive. Thank you for your help. We've turned off everything, unplugged everything, tried different computers, etc. My older son has a laptop and it is now not working. When my mum was down for a visit last week she had problems with her laptop while she was staying with us and once she left (she's housesitting in our town) her laptop is now working at the other house. Bob, I will try your suggestion next. Thank you both very much. (Sorry for the delay in replying; I can only check this site before I start work as I haven't broken my work computer yet.) ;)

I am a bit slow - you have a laptop sohop off down to a wi-fi cafe or some other hot spot and see if it works there! I still suspect your router/ISP set-up. PS. did you read about the US policeman who saw a man sitting in his car in a cafe car park using his laptop. The policeman was sure this was wrong and after research found a law saying it was illegal. Had the man been in the cafe using the same wi-fi connection it would have been OK! Clive

Lisa aren't you most on cable over there? My set up is cable modem to router to PC. You should turn everything back on in that order. If you have a separate modem and everything is ethernet (no usb crap) you could connect directly to the modem. and restart your PC. This would indicate if the router is at fault. Bob

Just have a second... Clive, that's what's great about sharing problems. I'm so concerned about my computer problems at HOME that I never would have thought of taking my son's laptop anywhere else. (I don't use his laptop, so I have a bit of an excuse.) Bob, we do use cables. My younger son has his computer connected to the modem and router. When I bought the new computer, we set up the new computer in the dining room, so it isn't even connected (with cables). I will try both of your ideas. Thank you so much! I miss the internet dearly!

Lisa, Try disconnecting the router from the system and see if things work OK then. That is what happened to me. We then took the router back to the shop where we bought it, they examined it and said there was something wrong. Thye repaired it and said it should work OK. But, as I said earlier ............. I'm still wary of the router even though supposedly repaired, and it is still sitting in the box!!! Sylvia

Hi Sylvia: I believe I tried disconnecting it, but we've tried so many things that I could be mistaken. I'm going to try every suggestion tonight and tomorrow. Hopefully something will work! Thank you for your help, eh?