Intermitent router

[soldano]

I installed a TP-Link TL-R402M Router, linked to my cable internet connection and a PicoStation 2 HP Wi Fi device, and now I experience constant interruptions when downloading files from internet.- Fortunately mostly all sites supports download managers but some not and I have a real problem with those.-
I tried connecting the cable modem directly to my PC and the problem dissapeared, so my Internet connection is not the cause.-
Also I protected my Wi Fi net with a strong WPA encription, so there is nobody stealing my bandwidth.-
I have one desktop PC connected and ocasionally up to 2 laptops.-
The router is configured with its default settings.-
Maybe somebody can help me.-
Thanks

 

[ch33zw1z]

You need to check for new firmware first for the TL-R402M

Here's the link to the first step: http://www.tp-link.com/en/support/download/?productcategoryid=205&model=TL-R402M&version=

Choose your hardware version, it's on the sticker (probably on the bottom) of the device. Then download the firmware update and follow the update procedure.

 

[soldano]

Thanks ch33zw1z, I checked that, and the router came already with the last firmware.-

 

[ch33zw1z]

Flash it again, and perform a reset afterwords. My next question is what clients are wireless and which are wired? Are the connections through the Picostation stable?

 

[spidey07]

That can be typical with wireless due to interference. Change channels to 1, 6 or 11 to see what works best. If there are other wireless devices in your area, baby monitors, cordless phones, etc they can really mess up your wireless.

 

[soldano]

Flash it again, and perform a reset afterwords. My next question is what clients are wireless and which are wired? Are the connections through the Picostation stable?

I downloaded the last firmware for my V7 hardware, but couldnt update the firmware.- I entered the router, browsed to system tools/firmware, and couldnt find any browse option which allows me to point to the downloaded firmware.- I only found some boxes with the firmware file name, (which is the same I downloaded). the TFTP IP adress, the firmware version, the hardware version an a update button which I pressed, and after a few seconds it informed that the updating had been unsuccessfull because I didnt launch the TFTP server (I dont know what is it)./ I tried opening that TFTP with the IP adress in Internet Explorer, but got an error message.-
What am I doing wrong ?
To your other question: I have only 1 desktop PC wired to the router, and generally 1 laptop wireless connected.- I experienced intermitencies with both wired and wireless.-
Thanks

 

[soldano]

That can be typical with wireless due to interference. Change channels to 1, 6 or 11 to see what works best. If there are other wireless devices in your area, baby monitors, cordless phones, etc they can really mess up your wireless.

Thanks Spidey07
The problem occurs both with the wired and wireless connected computers.-

 

[spidey07]

Thanks Spidey07
The problem occurs both with the wired and wireless connected computers.-

Then the only thing I can think of would be a duplex mismatch. Make sure all NICs are set to autonegotiate speed and duplex as well as the switchports on the router and it's WAN port. Out of the box that should be the case and a reset to factory defaults could help if you've been "playing" with the router settings.

To affect both it would have to be the connection between your router and the provider's ethernet port.

 

[holden j caufield]

are there any clients running torrents? I only ask this because in college we had a lot of users on torrents and it would crash our wireless router.

 

[soldano]

Then the only thing I can think of would be a duplex mismatch. Make sure all NICs are set to autonegotiate speed and duplex as well as the switchports on the router and it's WAN port. Out of the box that should be the case and a reset to factory defaults could help if you've been "playing" with the router settings.

To affect both it would have to be the connection between your router and the provider's ethernet port.

In fact, the router is running in factory defaults, and I think the connection has no problems as when I connect the cablemodem directly to the Desktop PC, the problem dissapears.-

 

[spidey07]

In fact, the router is running in factory defaults, and I think the connection has no problems as when I connect the cablemodem directly to the Desktop PC, the problem dissapears.-

then make sure you're using factory made cables.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I downloaded the last firmware for my V7 hardware, but couldnt update the firmware.- I entered the router, browsed to system tools/firmware, and couldnt find any browse option which allows me to point to the downloaded firmware.- I only found some boxes with the firmware file name, (which is the same I downloaded). the TFTP IP adress, the firmware version, the hardware version an a update button which I pressed, and after a few seconds it informed that the updating had been unsuccessfull because I didnt launch the TFTP server (I dont know what is it)./ I tried opening that TFTP with the IP adress in Internet Explorer, but got an error message.-
What am I doing wrong ?
To your other question: I have only 1 desktop PC wired to the router, and generally 1 laptop wireless connected.- I experienced intermitencies with both wired and wireless.-
Thanks

Ok, take the wireless out of the picture for now, in other words...test stability from a machine with a wired connection to the router. And only attempt firmware updates from a wired computer.

Please go to the TP-Link website and look up your model. Then download the User Guide, section 4.9.1 is the firmware update process. You will need a TFTP server, a free one can be found here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/tftp-server/

Basically, it's these steps:

1. Get firmware file
2. Install and run TFTP server
3. Open and command prompt (Windows = Start,Run, type cmd and hit enter), a command line window will appear

enter this command: ipconfig

That will display a line "IP address", that's your IP, and that's what you will enter into the router's firmware update line for TFTP server. I strongly suggest setting your computers IP staticly before doing the update, but the manual doesn't mention it.
4. Go to router's firmware update page and enter the info: filename, tftp server, etc...

Seriously, get the manual. Any questions you have may be helped with a quick google search...instead of waiting for us to reply

Another option is to get a different router and test it out, maybe someone you know has a spare or is willing to let you test with theirs for a bit.

 

[soldano]

Ok, take the wireless out of the picture for now, in other words...test stability from a machine with a wired connection to the router. And only attempt firmware updates from a wired computer.

Please go to the TP-Link website and look up your model. Then download the User Guide, section 4.9.1 is the firmware update process. You will need a TFTP server, a free one can be found here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/tftp-server/

Basically, it's these steps:

1. Get firmware file
2. Install and run TFTP server
3. Open and command prompt (Windows = Start,Run, type cmd and hit enter), a command line window will appear

enter this command: ipconfig

That will display a line "IP address", that's your IP, and that's what you will enter into the router's firmware update line for TFTP server. I strongly suggest setting your computers IP staticly before doing the update, but the manual doesn't mention it.
4. Go to router's firmware update page and enter the info: filename, tftp server, etc...

Seriously, get the manual. Any questions you have may be helped with a quick google search...instead of waiting for us to reply

Another option is to get a different router and test it out, maybe someone you know has a spare or is willing to let you test with theirs for a bit.

I followed all the steps you indicated and could finally flash the router with the downloaded firmware and reset it, but no way, the problem is still present.- As the router is about 20 feet far from the Cablemodem and my PC, I tried moving the router and connecting it directly to the cablemodem and my PC with short cables, and the problem remained.- I tried again avoiding the router and connecting my PC directly to the cablemodem, and the problem dissapeared.- So I think there are no more options.-

 

[Emulex]

utorrent and too little ram on the router.

1. Put a switch in front of router - lessens the burden - switches are cheap.
2. use an old PC for routing - and keep the router as an AP - so its just doing the wireless part.

or buy a decent router with 128meg of ram - WRT610n has that much. utorrent will tear up routers and almost every firmware leaks ram (ESP dd-wrt).

right now i use the uverse RG as the router and buffalo airstation as the wifi AP and gigabit switch in between to not burden the slow 3801hgv uverse RG which was made years ago by 2wire.

Utorrent still fills up the routers ram i can see the error logs - so i'll have to build a pfsense box out of some old hardware and with a 512 stick of ram it will never have a problem ever ever again.

 

[soldano]

I wasnt aware about the importance of the routers memory, in fact I dont see it described as a feature at the common sold routers in the market, except some expensive Cisco devices.-

 

[ImDonly1]

I wasnt aware about the importance of the routers memory, in fact I dont see it described as a feature at the common sold routers in the market, except some expensive Cisco devices.-

It is never advertised. You have to read reviews or tech sites for that. Something like the DD-WRT forums or wiki.