No IT techie here so need some input please. Currently have wireless int in house with a linksys router (modem?) that has to constantly reset (plug pulled for 30sec) to allow 2nd computer in next room to get on line. When problem occurs we" get message pop up stating " connection to server failed " We r using firefox (on 2nd computer btw ). Wife works from home and on work laptop all day with lots of screens open. Wireless system is password connected. A few times got an error message from windows stating that it detected 2 computers have same IP address and please see system administrator ?? Is old router/modem shot and need replacing ?? I am totally confused and need some suggestions to fix this. HELP ? old guy
EricLindros 11 years ago
Sometimes old routers start to freeze up and die after a while.
You could buy a new one, or you could get a cheap timer for the router's power outlet that automatically resets the monitor every so often (like a light timer or whatever)
You could buy a new one, or you could get a cheap timer for the router's power outlet that automatically resets the monitor every so often (like a light timer or whatever)
oldguy 11 years ago
Used to be a sponsor member for several years here btw. had to leave due to wife not happy with it.. Hope that gets me some replies ????
Huushawdadi 11 years ago
Notmuch to go on mate. You need to supply more details. Couple of things could be happening.
Is your router configured for DHCP?
Can you log in to the router and determine how many computers are connected to it and what the DHCP range is?
Are these two machines the ONLY devices connected or are there others? Phones, Tablets, Media players, etc?
1. One of your computers may be trying to use the same IP as the other. I have seen before where it is simply determined to use the same IP through computer settings or through a bad shutdown.
Open a command prompt ("cmd" in the Run window) and type: ipconfig /release. Do this on both. This will release your IP designation. You should also go to your wireless device properties dialog in Windows and see if either computer has a specific IP address set within the IPv4 or TCPIP settings. If it does, empty those values.
Then run: ipconfig /renew to get a new ip.
2. If your router is not configured for DHCP (basically assigns IPs to connected devices manually) then each device needs to set it's own IP in the range of the routers domain. No real point for home network, you should use DHCP.
Check the DHCP range - that is how many numbers are possible in the valid range? Usually by default the DHCP range is set from say 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.254 giving you many available connections. But if you or someone has tweaked it to either increase security or limit connections, the number may be less. If the number of available ips is less than the number of devices, you can get the problem you are experiencing.
Somewhere in your router settings is likely something that looks like "Lan IP Management", "ARP Table", "DHCP Lease". In some of these you can see the number of connections currently to your router. In Lan IP you can set a specific IP address inside the DHCP range (or on some routers outside as well) to be for a specific device by the device's MAC address. This helps a lot if you use torrent clients and such in your network, or media devices and have other devices that connect to them.
After following Step 1. You should consider this and setup each computer (or device that you recognise if you like as well) with a specific IP.
Reboot your computers and then see you you go.
Is your router configured for DHCP?
Can you log in to the router and determine how many computers are connected to it and what the DHCP range is?
Are these two machines the ONLY devices connected or are there others? Phones, Tablets, Media players, etc?
1. One of your computers may be trying to use the same IP as the other. I have seen before where it is simply determined to use the same IP through computer settings or through a bad shutdown.
Open a command prompt ("cmd" in the Run window) and type: ipconfig /release. Do this on both. This will release your IP designation. You should also go to your wireless device properties dialog in Windows and see if either computer has a specific IP address set within the IPv4 or TCPIP settings. If it does, empty those values.
Then run: ipconfig /renew to get a new ip.
2. If your router is not configured for DHCP (basically assigns IPs to connected devices manually) then each device needs to set it's own IP in the range of the routers domain. No real point for home network, you should use DHCP.
Check the DHCP range - that is how many numbers are possible in the valid range? Usually by default the DHCP range is set from say 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.254 giving you many available connections. But if you or someone has tweaked it to either increase security or limit connections, the number may be less. If the number of available ips is less than the number of devices, you can get the problem you are experiencing.
Somewhere in your router settings is likely something that looks like "Lan IP Management", "ARP Table", "DHCP Lease". In some of these you can see the number of connections currently to your router. In Lan IP you can set a specific IP address inside the DHCP range (or on some routers outside as well) to be for a specific device by the device's MAC address. This helps a lot if you use torrent clients and such in your network, or media devices and have other devices that connect to them.
After following Step 1. You should consider this and setup each computer (or device that you recognise if you like as well) with a specific IP.
Reboot your computers and then see you you go.
Huushawdadi 11 years ago
Post screenshots of your router settings, detail what operating systems you are using and take screenshots of the wireless device properties dialog. Could help us diagnose the issue.
What Eric said is also correct, but worth checking the settings before spending the dosh.
What Eric said is also correct, but worth checking the settings before spending the dosh.
