network overload?

[Jonathan_King]

We have a wireless network in our house, and under normal circumstances, it works fine. There are 2 desktops connected through Ethernet, and most of the time, 1 laptop using the wireless. However, whenever my sisters come home from school, the connection suddenly goes haywire. They represent 2 more laptops. At all times, at least one, usually more, connections are lost, and cannot be restored unless the cable modem is reset. It seems obvious enough- the router cannot handle that many connections. I am correct in believing the only way to remedy this is to buy a more powerful router, right?

 

[zigzag3143]

We have a wireless network in our house, and under normal circumstances, it works fine. There are 2 desktops connected through Ethernet, and most of the time, 1 laptop using the wireless. However, whenever my sisters come home from school, the connection suddenly goes haywire. They represent 2 more laptops. At all times, at least one, usually more, connections are lost, and cannot be restored unless the cable modem is reset. It seems obvious enough- the router cannot handle that many connections. I am correct in believing the only way to remedy this is to buy a more powerful router, right?

Hey JK

Not the router but the internet connection. What is your connection rated at? run a speedtest. take the result and divde by the number of PC's

Ie if your connection is 5Mb down and 500K up, each computer gets approximately 1/5. So if you are trying to upload something that is about 100K or not that much



Kenn J++

 

[Jonathan_King]

9.32/5=1.86
The funny thing is, though, that the network itself is funny. When it is my turn to be kicked off, I can go to Network and Sharing Center, and the network is identified as Unknown network. I can't even access the other computers on the network, never mind the internet. Does this still seems like a speed issue?

 

[chev65]

When you go to the Network and Sharing center when everyone is connected, try clicking on "see full map". If they show up at the bottom of the page to the left instead of being part of the network tree then you have a problem and should run the wireless connection wizard again from your router home page.

 

[DarkXeno]

Sounds like you might want to make sure you have the latest firmware on your router. I had some issues on my dads network until I updated the firmware.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Thanks guys. I do not have the problem right now, but my sisters will be home shortly. I will try these solutions and post back.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Okay, here's an update. I called my ISP (Road Runner), and they essentially told me what Ken told me. You know the way customer support is, nobody has the power to do anything, so after 30 minutes of transfers, I finally reached the guy who could upgrade my speed. I was trying my best to get the upgrade for free, and I could tell he was uncomfortable. Finally he asked "Did anyone come out and look at your connection?". So the next day a tech came over (for free) and replaced my cable modem.

Haven't had trouble since.

 

[chev65]

So it is possible to have a compatiblity problem with a modem. I updated my RR modem to the faster model awhile back.

That is good to know, it seems we need to look beyond the router to fix some of these compatiblity problems.

 

[Jonathan_King]

So it is possible to have a compatiblity problem with a modem. That is good to know, it seems we need to look beyond the router to fix some of these compatiblity problems.

Don't think it was a compatibility problem. I think the modem was just under-powered for the number of computers we have on it. It is a stock router RR gave us when they set up our wireless connection. We have at least 5 computers on it, often times more when I am working on other machines.

 

[chev65]

So it is possible to have a compatiblity problem with a modem. That is good to know, it seems we need to look beyond the router to fix some of these compatiblity problems.

Don't think it was a compatibility problem. I think the modem was just under-powered for the number of computers we have on it. It is a stock router RR gave us when they set up our wireless connection. We have at least 5 computers on it, often times more when I am working on other machines.

So the old modem was overloaded and crashing out I guess, never had the problem with mine, it was just limited on bandwidth according to RR. My old one was white with a wave like box on it, the new one is a smaller black motorola. Glad I upgraded mine when I did then.

 

[Etihtsarom]

Right this issue sounds like router or modem. Normally the router is what overheats and resets. This happens frequently when people overload their network with download traffic, and too many computers busy on a slow connection would do it as well.