Help connecting notebook to internet?

Question

I purchased a D-Link DI-524 router today. Connected it up, followed instructions, all well. Connected to the internet fine, all 3 computers were working great (one computer is connected through USB to the modem, the wireless router is connected to the modem through ethernet, and the other desktop is connected to the router through ethernet).

After a few hours, the connection choked on me. It became a local only connection and would not let me use the internet anymore. I've tried resetting the modem and router, reinstalling the router, changing the settings, putting the original settings back, everything I can think of. It simply doesn't connect anymore . Ideas?

I just repeated the setup process and my laptop now gets a 'local only' connection. I can't figure out why it won't connect to the internet anymore.

Answer 1

It sounds like the router is OK, at least on the LAN side because you apparently are able to get to the router.

First reboot both modem and router.

Confirm this by using the wired connection to the router. Open command prompt (start, run - type in cmd and hit enter). In command prompt type in "ipconfig" without the quotes and hit enter. You should be shown the pc IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. The pc IP address and the default gateway should be in the format 192.168.x.y where x is probably 0 or 1, and y ranges from 1 - 255 with the default gateway y probably 1. If you have an IP address that starts with 169 you do not have a link to the router and the router either has a bad config or is faulty (reboot router and try again, if no change, then call router maker). If you have an appropriate LAN IP address, type in command prompt "ping " without quotes and where is ip address shown above, probably 192.168.1.1 or whichever it is, do not type in the < or > that I showed. You should receive 4 positive replies which confirms lan side connection. If you do not receive 4 positive replies, you have a lan connection problem and you need to contact the router maker.

If the ping of the default gateway is OK, then in command prompt type "ping 4.2.2.2" without quotes and hit enter. You should receive 4 positive replies. If not you have a wan side config problem with the router or a bad cable between modem and router or bad internet signal from ISP. It can be either. To determine if it is the router, power down modem, remove pc cable at router and plug it into the modem (bypass router), power down pc. Power up modem, wait 0.5 min and power up pc. Now try the "ip config" and the "ping 4.2.2.2" in command prompt. The IP will NOT be a 192.168.x.y in this case because you are not using the router. If you receive 4 positive replies from "ping 4.2.2.2" you have internet and the router is faulty. Call router maker. If "ping 4.2.2.2" does not reply positively your ISP or modem is broken and you should call the ISP.

Finally, my initial suspicion is the firmware of the router. Many of the low end household routers have inadequate firmware that fails after a few hours of use. Reboot is good for a few hours or days but not good long term. Check the router site for updated firmware and follow directions for firmware upgrade as this may fix the problem. Often it is a partial fix and a future upgrade may fix it. This is the problem with the low end, low cost, household routers. They are cheap and worth 1/100 of what you pay for them. (Nice way of saying they are junk or if you like, high class junk spelled junque).

Answer 2

you lost me on how you've connected things...

it should be something like this:
1. cable from wall to modem
2. cable from modem to router
3. cable from computer 1 to router
4. cable from computer 2 to router
5. no cable from laptop to your router ( because it's wireless )

the dlink is a very capable router, but will "hicup" if the power flickers... occassionally ( <3 times per year )... i'll have to reset everything... the way to do this is turn off all computers, unplug router, unplug modem ( i mean unplug using the a/c power cords - you can ( and should ) leave all of the data connections hooked up...
now walk away from your computer setup for about 5 minutes... now start by plugging your modem in ( ONLY ) and turning it on.. waiting for it to complete the bootup ( should take 3-5 minutes )... plug the router in and turn it on( wait for it to settle ~ 2 minutes )... finally plug in your computer... turn it on... tada!!!!

good luck...