Over the past few months I've had issues with my home wireless network. The problem is that my wireless computers (of which there are three) will either not be able to join the network, or they will join but then the internet will cut out from time to time.

 

I've been on the phone with dlink repeatedly (their customer service is horrendous by the way) and eventually they told me that my microwave is interrupting the signal and I need a better router. I'm not inclined to beleive them because this problem never used to happen, it only started becoming a problem when I purchased another router.

 

My network currently looks like this (forgive the bad diagram)

 

 

MODEM

|

WIRED ROUTER - > SERVER

|

WIRELESS ROUTER - > Desktop computer

 

Three computers connect wirelessly to the wireless router as well, two laptops and a desktop.

 

I've played around with both routers, enabling dhcp on one, disabling it on the other, vice versa, adjusting the signal on the wireless router, yet this annoying problem persists.

 

When my internet cuts out, it's sticks on "resolving host" which I find interesting because most of the time msn, skype, games, ftp will be working (or at least somewhat) whereas browsing ceases completely.

 

I guess I'm asking two things:

 

1) Any idea what is wrong, and how to fix it?

2) If I really need a new wireless router, what should I buy? (preferably nothing dlink, this whole experience has left me adverse to continuing to purchase their products)

 

Anyway, networking isn't really my thing, so if anyone has any ideas, I'll be very grateful.

 

EDIT: And it definitely isn't a case of the server hogging bandwidth, seeing as it's for testing only and currently turned off.

Woah router overload!

 

Can't you plug the modem and server into the wireless router?

Woah router overload!

 

Can't you plug the modem and server into the wireless router?

I could, but due to my parents idiotic ideas they want to be able to turn off the wireless router whenever they feel like it <_<

Well its quite possible the router overload is causing ur issues.

But equally it should be feasible to plug the server direct into the modem, even if it only has 1 port u can get a splitter.

 

I don't know the ins and outs of it but several routers in a line can muddle things, afterall most modems are a router of sorts so u've kind of got 3 between the internet and the wireless devices

Well its quite possible the router overload is causing ur issues.

But equally it should be feasible to plug the server direct into the modem, even if it only has 1 port u can get a splitter.

 

I don't know the ins and outs of it but several routers in a line can muddle things, afterall most modems are a router of sorts so u've kind of got 3 between the internet and the wireless devices

The modem only has one port, so I suppose buying a splitter is my only option there.

 

I realize that having several routers in a line can muddle things - would I perhaps have been better off to replace the wired router with a hub or switch?

If it was me I'd personally go right bk to the source and get a decent modem with 3 or 4 Ethernet ports AND wifi.

But in terms of seeing if the routers r muddling stuff I'd say step one get a split to stick in the modem n plug in the server n wireless router (since splitters r cheap) see if tht improves it.

If it was me I'd personally go right bk to the source and get a decent modem with 3 or 4 Ethernet ports AND wifi.

But in terms of seeing if the routers r muddling stuff I'd say step one get a split to stick in the modem n plug in the server n wireless router (since splitters r cheap) see if tht improves it.

Ok, I might try that. Or I'll just use the wireless router and tell my parent's it's unavoidable.

 

If anyone else has any input that's welcome as well.

I say get a new microwave.

Is the wireless router plugged in to the other router with a crossover cable?

Is the wireless router plugged in to the other router with a crossover cable?

It's just a standard Ethernet cable, not sure if that's what you're saying.

I say get a new microwave.

or replace all your routers with microwaves, then call the company and inform them your router refuses to cook frozen meals properly, and stopped providing internet no matter where you stick the ethernet cord.

Is the wireless router plugged in to the other router with a crossover cable?

It's just a standard Ethernet cable, not sure if that's what you're saying.

 

Yes that's what I was saying. You have the standard Ethernet cable that you usually use between a router/switch and a computer. When you want to plug 2 routers using Ethernet, you should use what is called a crossover cable, the difference between standard and crossover is the order of the wires at each end. usually you get a crossover with your router though.

 

As far as I know, not many routers can work when they are connected to another router without a crossover. Mine does, but my router is recent.

Is the wireless router plugged in to the other router with a crossover cable?

It's just a standard Ethernet cable, not sure if that's what you're saying.

 

Yes that's what I was saying. You have the standard Ethernet cable that you usually use between a router/switch and a computer. When you want to plug 2 routers using Ethernet, you should use what is called a crossover cable, the difference between standard and crossover is the order of the wires at each end. usually you get a crossover with your router though.

 

As far as I know, not many routers can work when they are connected to another router without a crossover. Mine does, but my router is recent.

Both my routers are relatively new. Is there any way I can easily tell the difference between a normal ethernet and a crossover?