Having Problems with New Router! Please HELP!!

[chazdraves]

Well, Target had a sale on their Microsoft MN-500 Wireless router, so I felt the urge to buy one. I have a laptop that has built-in wireless networking, but I've never had a wireless router to use it with, hence this was the opportunity! I got the router home, excited as ever (now I can surf in my room, yay!), and I got the router to work perfectly with my shiny new laptop (another yay!). Then came the problem. When working with networks it seems that using a standard LAN cable/router setup is never/should never be a problem. Usually, you quick install the software, plug in the cable, and (voila!) it works! Such is not the case here. For some reason, my computer will be connected just fine, then, five seconds later, "Network Cable is Unplugged". BUT IT'S NOT! Then it will connect again, and I will be happy. Suddenly "Network Cable is Unplugged". BUT IT'S NOT!!!!! Okay, now I"m frustrated and looking for answers. Has anyone heard of this problem before? It's not the cable. It all works just fine if I run it straight from my DSL Router, but doesn't work if attached to the Wireless Router. Did I mention it runs great on my laptop upstairs? Thanks in advance!

- Chaz

 

[Kevin]

Do you mean a DSL modem or does your network already have 2 routers?

 

[chazdraves]

We have an external ethernet modem which connects to the wireless (Microsoft MN-500) router.

- Chaz

 

[Kevin]

And you're certain the cable works? I used to have the same problem, but it was a faulty cable.

 

[chazdraves]

100% positive about it. I tried the cable that we've used for the last 6 months with our DSL and that didn't work either. For whatever reason, it just don't work. It's completely intermitent though. It comes on, it goes off. It never stays either or. I've re-installed it approximately 2,354 times with no luck thus far. But it works like a dream on my laptop!

- Chaz

 

[Kevin]

Try connecting to a different port on the router. Otherwise it may be a hardware issue...

 

[Kremlar]

Also, try locking the network card down to 10Mbps if possible. I've occasionally seen compatibility problems between NICs and switches, sometimes kicking it down to 10Mbps solves it.

 

[chazdraves]

Well, I've tried the different ports thing several times already, that seems to help for a little while, but then it starts right up again. As for nocking it down to 10Mbps, that I haven't done yet. I think I'll try that next... It seems like some kinda hardware incompatibility issue. My dad has a CNet ethernet adapter in the computer downstairs (some thing from Dell) and I think that just simply doesn't like the new Microsoft Router, but I'll definitely give the 10Mbps thing a try. Thanks for all the advice, I'll let yah know how it turns out!

- Chaz