Internet Connection Problem

[Evi]

I don't know what's going on, but about a week ago, I started having a really bad problem with my Internet connection. Once or twice a day, it will just stop working. Whenever I try to load a page, it says it can't connect to server. If I try to log onto any program that requires the internet, it won't connect. When I go into uTorrent, almost all of the torrents are red (which means they can't connect). Some things still do work, like AIM, but only if I'm already logged on.

The only workaround I've found so far is to unplug both the modem and the router, wait a minute, and plug it back in. After this, it will work fine again. This gets really annoying, though, especially since every time I do that, my router generates a new IP for me, and then I have to go into my port forward utility and change everything to the new IP.

Does anyone know what's causing this, and how to fix it? My ISP is Comcast, and this only seems to happen when I'm away from my computer, and then I'll come back and find it screwed up.

[kimcicle]

There's two things it could be:

1. What kind of cable modem do you have? There's an issue with certain firmwares with modems and routers that once you hit a certain number of peers it will cause either to lock up, bringing your connection to a standstill.

I had Comcast for a while with the upright black motorola modem and that's what did it for me. Once I got it swapped out when TWC came into town I had no more problems with it.

2. Windows XP will throw you a Event ID 4226. With XP SP2, they crippled the number of concurrent connections through the TCP/IP stack so that it would impede the flow of worms and viruses. This, however, also cripples the number of half-open internet connections (SYN, but no ACK recieved back). Windows then shuts down your internet connection until you refresh your connection. I think there's a way around it, google for "event id 4226" or something.

[Evi]

Well, I closed uTorrent before I went to sleep last night, and my connection still fucked up.

[kimcicle]

Hmm, maybe your router is crashing overnight? Upgrade the firmware for it?

[Evi]

I've been using this same setup, while seeding hundreds of torrents, for months now, and have never once had this problem. What could have caused this to start happening all of a sudden?

[Geschpooklichkeit]

Does your router show the load average (three decimal numbers, separated by commas) anywhere in its web interface?

[Evi]

No, it doesn't.

[Geschpooklichkeit]

If it did, I would suspect they would be unusually high.

[Evi]

I used the Event ID 4226 patch to allow a lot more connections, opened uTorrent back up, and sure enough, two days later, same problem. It's happening to all the computers on my home network, too.

[vettefreak89]

How odd the same thing is happening to me! But I have SBC/AT&T DSL. Hmmm My modem would just go out for like an hour then come back on. After that I have to reset everything! grrrr.

[dieKatze88]

Originally Posted by Evi

I used the Event ID 4226 patch to allow a lot more connections, opened uTorrent back up, and sure enough, two days later, same problem. It's happening to all the computers on my home network, too.

I think my certified ass can fix your problem, but Im going to need a bit more information on your setup.

1. Whats your Cable/DSL/ISDN Gateway's manufacturer and model?

2. Whats your routers manufacturer and model?

3. How have you connected your PC to your router?

4. Are all the PCs connected this way? How are the others connected?

5. What operating systems are these PCs running?

6. Who is your Service Provider?

7. Are any of the operating systems, firewalls, or Anti Virus softwares in your house bootlegged? (Pirated)

[Keith]

Sounds like a DNS problem.

[Evi]

Originally Posted by dieKatze88

I think my certified ass can fix your problem, but Im going to need a bit more information on your setup.

1. Whats your Cable/DSL/ISDN Gateway's manufacturer and model?

It just says RCA on it. I can't really get a close look at it because it's in a whole tangle of wires in the back of my desk which is blocked by a really lot of shit. It's a small black box with a white-ish top, five lights going horizontally on the front, and a black power button next to them.

Originally Posted by dieKatze88

2. Whats your routers manufacturer and model?

Linksys WRT54GS

Originally Posted by dieKatze88

3. How have you connected your PC to your router?

Wall -> Modem -> Router -> PC

Originally Posted by dieKatze88

4. Are all the PCs connected this way? How are the others connected?

One other computer is connected this way, and one is wireless. Both use the same connection and router as my computer.

Originally Posted by dieKatze88

5. What operating systems are these PCs running?

All of them are using Win XP

Originally Posted by dieKatze88

6. Who is your Service Provider?

Comcast

Originally Posted by dieKatze88

7. Are any of the operating systems, firewalls, or Anti Virus softwares in your house bootlegged? (Pirated)

No.

[dieKatze88]

Originally Posted by Evi

It just says RCA on it. I can't really get a close look at it because it's in a whole tangle of wires in the back of my desk which is blocked by a really lot of shit. It's a small black box with a white-ish top, five lights going horizontally on the front, and a black power button next to them.


Linksys WRT54GS


Wall -> Modem -> Router -> PC


One other computer is connected this way, and one is wireless. Both use the same connection and router as my computer.


All of them are using Win XP


Comcast


No.

Ok, I think youre suffering from the Peer To Peer 5 Day Connection Hold bug, and probably the Spanning Tree Protocol bug at the same time.


What Exact Revision is your WRT54GS? (It says on the bottom)

[ChaosMaster1]

these are many of the reasons why i dont have comcast.
(god that sounded formal....)