Hey, Networking techies...

[Clintmax]

I think my router is going bad...
It has gotten to the point where I'll get an error message that says "Network Cable is unplugged" even though I haven't touched the cables back there, or one that says "Network is down" or something like that. It does it off and on all day long. I can't access the internet when it does it of course and it's very frustrating. I don't know what's happened to it. Any ideas?

[tjwmason]

1. Not on a network here - but mine does that now and then

I just unplug the A.D.S.L. modem, then put it back in, and the computer thinks for a while before behaving as it should.

Computers can be even more tempramental than gay men (your humble servant being foremost) - and that really is saying something.

[Clintmax]

2. I've actually tried that...

A couple of times. Doesnt' seem to work...I just don't get it. :shrug:

[ET Awful]

3. Does the router have more than one ethernet connection?

If so, try swapping connections and use a different connection for the computer. Also try switching out the network cable itself. Finally, try re-installing the drivers for your network card.

It's pretty rare that a router will act like that, I'd be more tempted to look at other things. In my experience, when home routers fail, they tend to fail completely, not a little here and there (i.e. the power suppy will croak, or the entire circuit board will stop working).

[bridgit]

4. unplug the power for 10sec & plug it back in to see if it will re-set...

[B3Nut]

5. Check your cabling first

That's the first place. Failing that, it's possible that the NIC (network interface card) is failing, but more likely (assuming the cable is good) that the router is failing. I've had Linksys routers in use that start becoming flaky that way before completely refusing to pass data. Low-cost/low-end networking hardware generally isn't very robust, it's cheap, but you'll be replacing it regularly. I had to replace a low-end 8-port 3com switch yesterday at work, it showed live connections but wouldn't pass data. It was only in service for 6 months.

Make sure to reset the router too, not just power-cycle it (hit the reset switch)...sometimes this clears them up.

Todd in Beerbratistan, IT mook