Why does my internet keep dropping out?

[danrc]

Every now and again my internet goes down. The icon in the tray shows that it is connected locally but no internet. When i ask it to fix the problem the pc comes back with a problem with the DNS server.

I've googled but am more confused that I ever was.

I connect via a wireless router and am with Talk Talk for my internet.

Thanks for help guys.
Dan

[TonyRPH]

danrc said:

Every now and again my internet goes down. The icon in the tray shows that it is connected locally but no internet. When i ask it to fix the problem the pc comes back with a problem with the DNS server.

I've googled but am more confused that I ever was.

I connect via a wireless router and am with Talk Talk for my internet.

Thanks for help guys.
Dan

When it drops out, try going to a 'dos' prompt - as follows:

Go to 'Start' click 'run' in the box type cmd.

You will get a black box.

In the black box, type the following: ping 194.112.32.10

Hit enter.

If your internet connection is working, you should see something like this:

C:\>ping 194.112.32.10

Pinging 194.112.32.10 with 32 bytes of data:

Reply from 194.112.32.10: bytes=32 time=18ms TTL=52
Reply from 194.112.32.10: bytes=32 time=18ms TTL=52
Reply from 194.112.32.10: bytes=32 time=16ms TTL=52
Reply from 194.112.32.10: bytes=32 time=14ms TTL=52

Ping statistics for 194.112.32.10:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 14ms, Maximum = 18ms, Average = 16ms

C:\>

Getting a reply indicates you have connectivity.

If you don't have connectivity, you will see something like:

request timed out

To test your dns:

Type the following:

nslookup www.google.com and if your DNS is working, you should see this:


C:\>nslookup www.google.com
Server: <your server name>
Address: your.ip.address

Non-authoritative answer:
Name: www-tmmdi.l.google.com
Addresses: 74.125.159.99, 74.125.159.103, 74.125.159.104, 74.125.159.105
74.125.159.106, 74.125.159.147
Aliases: www.google.com,www.l.google.com


C:\>

Edited by TonyRPH on Sunday 11th July 21:20

[Nardies]

Also worth understanding if you're connected via ethernet or by wireless...

[tonym911]

Wireless drops out all the time on our home Macs, you have to keep 'nudging' them.

[TonyRPH]

tonym911 said:

Wireless drops out all the time on our home Macs, you have to keep 'nudging' them.

It shouldn't though.

My son has a Macbook, and that is perfect - never drops the connection.

It might be worth checking that your wireless router is configured for the correct country.

There are different channels for the US / Europe.

If it's set for the US, this could cause the problem you describe, when used on certain channels.

[danrc]

Thanks for the reply guys, I will give it a go the next time it drops off.

I have a feeling it must be the wireless router that is at fault as my phone won't connect to it either sometimes.

[.Mark]

danrc said:

I connect via a wireless router and am with Talk Talk for my internet.

There's your problem. No help I know but I know a few people who have exactly this. They have to reset the router.

Talk Talk even suggested the wireless router should not be next to a wall and that they should sit in the centre of the room to make it work.

[danrc]

.Mark said:

danrc said:

I connect via a wireless router and am with Talk Talk for my internet.

There's your problem. No help I know but I know a few people who have exactly this. They have to reset the router.

Talk Talk even suggested the wireless router should not be next to a wall and that they should sit in the centre of the room to make it work.

Hahah this is exactly why I don't want to call Talk Talk.

[TonyRPH]

danrc said:

.Mark said:

danrc said:

I connect via a wireless router and am with Talk Talk for my internet.

There's your problem. No help I know but I know a few people who have exactly this. They have to reset the router.

Talk Talk even suggested the wireless router should not be next to a wall and that they should sit in the centre of the room to make it work.

Hahah this is exactly why I don't want to call Talk Talk.

Is it a Talk Talk branded router? Or generic?

Do you have access to it's settings? (I suspect not)

Have you tried my suggestions above when the connection fails?

[danrc]

TonyRPH said:

danrc said:

.Mark said:

danrc said:

I connect via a wireless router and am with Talk Talk for my internet.

There's your problem. No help I know but I know a few people who have exactly this. They have to reset the router.

Talk Talk even suggested the wireless router should not be next to a wall and that they should sit in the centre of the room to make it work.

Hahah this is exactly why I don't want to call Talk Talk.

Is it a Talk Talk branded router? Or generic?

Do you have access to it's settings? (I suspect not)

Have you tried my suggestions above when the connection fails?

I've not had chance yet but I will tonight it it does it.

The router is one that talk talk supplied as part of the package. I can't think of the model but it's one that you can put a photo in the front panel to make it less obtrusive. I think you're probably right about the settings, but is it not a case of typing in the address and then putting the user and password in?

[tonym911]

TonyRPH said:

tonym911 said:

Wireless drops out all the time on our home Macs, you have to keep 'nudging' them.

It shouldn't though.

My son has a Macbook, and that is perfect - never drops the connection.

It might be worth checking that your wireless router is configured for the correct country.

There are different channels for the US / Europe.

If it's set for the US, this could cause the problem you describe, when used on certain channels.

Really? I thought it was normal. Amazing what you get used to. Having spent literally days on the phone to foreign 'helpdesks' I am now totally scared of trying to mess with the router. Is it something I can do on Mac Preferences do you know?

[TonyRPH]

danrc said:

The router is one that talk talk supplied as part of the package. I can't think of the model but it's one that you can put a photo in the front panel to make it less obtrusive. I think you're probably right about the settings, but is it not a case of typing in the address and then putting the user and password in?

Yes, assuming you have the admin password. (Typically the username is admin).

[TonyRPH]

tonym911 said:

Really? I thought it was normal. Amazing what you get used to. Having spent literally days on the phone to foreign 'helpdesks' I am now totally scared of trying to mess with the router. Is it something I can do on Mac Preferences do you know?

I can't remember what preferences are available for the MAC (I'm on a Windows PC right now) but if you go to the properties for the wireless connection (Airport Express) IIRC? - and check that it is actually set for UK (if there is such an option).

It's also worthwhile checking if you have other access points around you (neighbours etc.) that might be on a conflicting channel?

Finally - I have a wireless burglar alarm in my house, and when the batteries in the sensors get low, they interfere with my WiFi!