Connection issues with Netgear router

[vj8usa]

I've been using a Netgear WPN824 router for almost 2 years now. Recently, it's been dropping my connection, but in a weird way. I'll be online, and then pages stop loading, and I'll lose my AIM connection.
However, certain connections don't stop working. For instance, I was in a game of Yahoo pool with a friend (java applet), and the pool game kept working normally. Also, I've noticed that I sometimes don't lose my connection to Xfire (gaming oriented IM client). However, all other normal web page browsing and online gaming stops working (on all of the computers in my LAN, be they wireless or wired), and doesn't come back for either a few minutes or until I power cycle the router.

Any ideas as to what might be causing this? The router is well ventilated and doesn't seem to be overheating.

 

[akhilles]

The router may be overloading. Your router settings may have been the same for 2 years, but software changes every day. The changes may be causing your lost connection. Try lowering your settings in router. i.e. disable any wireless boost, reduce firewall rules, etc. If it can save the settings to a file, do it. Reset router. Try the default settings.