Re: bouncing connection and a netgear router..



I just love questions with absolutely no useful names and numbers. It
add a challenge to troubleshooting. The following are rhetorical
questions that you should ask yourself before blameing the DSL line.

- What model Netgear router?
If I remember correctly, WGR614..but not 100% certain

- What hardware version of the Netgear router?
Have to get back to u on that..

- Are you in the USA or elsewhere?
Southern USA

- Is the router firmware the latest? Are you sure it's the latest?
Not yet...

- What speed DSL line? What type of service (PPPoE, ADSL+, etc)?
1.5 Meg Adsl

- Have you had the ISP perform an ATM ping and line quality test?
No, next step. Alltel is quick to blame in house items, so I'm checking
it all b4 I call

- Have you checked the status page of the router for S/N ratio and
signal level numbers? What does the status page say about the
DSL line quality?
No, I had a limited time between jobs last time. Focused mainly on the
wiring and filters. Plan on heading back over there next weekend to
double check everything b4 the call is made.

Her problem is, when
she tries to use certain streaming programs, such as IM progs, she gets
a bouncing effect.

IM programs are normally NOT streaming.
They are when she is using a cam, which she constantly does.

A "bouncing" effect would seem to indicate
that the connection is intermittently stopping and restarting. More
questions:

- What exact operating system is the laptop using? What laptop?
HP, not certain exact model, Win XP SP2

- What exact "certain" programs is she using that have problems?
Right now, Yahoo IM and Pandora are the ones showing the prob.

Are there any streaming programs (itunes, Winamp, Real One,
Google video, MS Media Player, etc) that do work as expected?
- What happens when she takes the wireless out of the picture and
connects directly to the Netgear router with a CAT5 cable?
I'll get her to try that tonite, and if she can't, I'll check it next
weekend...


Nothing is noticed on her wireless connection, but
the program constantly stops and restarts. For example, using Yahoo IM,
it will continuously log her on and off, usually several times within a
30 sec period..

OK, we have Yahoo Messenger. I had the same problem with GAIM and
Miranda IM and Yahoo Messenger. Loose a few packets and Yahoo says
I'm disconnected. However, it doesn't actually log me off which
requires logging back in. Does it really log her off, or just
disconnect and reconnect constantly?

Disconnect and reconnect constantly. She stays connected on YIM chat
boxes, but constant sign in/out and loss of camera feed. and sometimes
(mostly noticed on rainy days) it will bounce enough to lock up the
computer, forcing a reboot.

I have seen where Dlink routers have an issue with wireless spikes, but
it usually covers the whole connection, not just certain ports.

OK, now we have some clues. Can I deduce from this that it's ONLY the
Yahoo Messenger client that's having a bad day and that everything
else (web browsing, email, file transfers, file sharing, downloads,
online games, and the wireless itself) are working normally?
Just Yahoo and Pandora

Ummmm.... what's a "wireless spike"?
Sorry, telco butting into my networking. A sudden drop in wireless
signal, with a slow pickup. (think cruising at 54mg, suddenly dropping
to 1mg, then 5.5, then 11, then 36, then 48, and finally back up to 54,
all within a minutes time.)


Has anyone else seen this in a Netgear router? If so, any solution
would be appreciated.

Clue: Not all Netgear routers are from the same manufactory in China.
Different models and series of models use radically different chipsets
and board designs. You can't say that they're all the same.

Incidentally, I did have a problem with flakey performance with a
Netgear DG834 wireless router. I'm guessing that this is similar to
what she has except she probably has a built in DSL modem model.

Nope, seperate modem and router. But, that info really comes in handy.

I
had to upgrade the firmware to get it to work reliably on a satellite
link.
I'll keep that in mind, because next week I'm installing a 3 line
network for a local construction company that's using a satellite
connection.

I'll be double checking the firmware and hardware next weekend when I
can get back on site. Until then, I'm doing my research, finding out if
anyone else has this prob, possible solutions, etc.

Her provider is notorious for automatically assuming inside wiring or
added items are to blame. Which would mean a tech has to roll, which
includes a site visit fee, repair fee, etc. Thats why I'm checking
everything inside b4 a support call is made.

Thank you.
Jon

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