Problem after last nights storms

[FTLOSM]

Last night we had terrible storms, lightning thunder etc, I had the pcs turned off and all but forgot to unplug my router and cable modem. Woke today turned on the pcs and such and only 2 of the 4 ports on my router actually connect and allow internet access. The pcs are well protected with a nice ISOTEL surge unit, however the cable modem and router were just plugged into an outlet on the other side of the room no protector of anykind.

My router is a Netgear RP114 4 port wired router, using it with a comcast/attbi cable modem and 3 pcs and xbox, has been setup and working with no issues till today after the storms, whatever i plug into port 1 or 2 acts as if it is not connected, whatever i plug into port 3 or 4 works fine, I reset the cable modem and router, unplugged the router for a good 20 mins, reset again, even reflashed it (the router) with the newest firmware off netgears site, still 1&2 seem "dead" 3 and 4 work fine.

Has anyone heard of a router being only HALF bad? I wanna just order up a new one and go on, yet I also don't wanna toss a router or buy a new one if it might be something simple I am missing.

When I reset the router it has a test light, and i see all 4 ports lights flash etc, yet no matter what cable or pc I use (all work fine on 3 or 4) yet none work in 1 or 2 off the router.

ANY suggestions or help appreciated, its drivin me batty.

Guess its just hard to imagine a storm knocking out half of my router but that is the only thing I can even think of....


Bill
steveperryfan2001@yahoo.com

 

[Garion]

There's probably a chip that controls ports 1&2 and another that controls 3&4 - One of the controlling chips probably got spiked and wiped it out. Probably time to look for a new router or buy a cheapo switch and connect a crossover cable from a working port on the router to the new switch.

- G

 

[Soybomb]

Nah I've seen tons of switches that have individual ports die on them. Like garion said, I'd hook up a switch to it and use it if it chugs along fine otherwise.

 

[FTLOSM]

excuse my ignorance, but what do you mean by a switch, is there a way to somehow split the 2 lines that are working into 4 lines again by some sort of switch or is that something that would be like an A/B A/B 2 on 2 off you choose which 2 are on or off at anytime? (never knew of such a switch), Also is there a way by chance to split a RJ45? in other words run one long run (to the other end of the house) and somehow on that end put a Y on it, and have it run two things (even if it was a A/B switch one on one off) that might be a solution for me since i dont use the xbox in the living room that often & there is a pc in the living room too.

Thanks again for the input and info, I might end up just replacing this RP 114 with the identical thing again (since i know it would be fast and easy to swap out), i was so surprised it worked without any fiddeling around when I first bought it...just afraid of making a major change or something (different brand / model) only cuz I KNOW this works and others are unknown factors for me - translation = my luck another 4 port router would end up not working knowing my limited knowledge...

Bill

 

[Soybomb]

Just go to your nearest best buy/staples/etc and purchase either a hub or switch from the networking section. This is the device that will split your connection out to allow you to plug in other devices. No manual switching required either

Your router is essentially two devices in one, its a router, and a 4 port switch. If you plug say an 8 port hub/switch into your router (with 2 usable ports) you'll have 8 ports to connect other devices to it with. If a cable in one of those ports runs to the other end of the house, you can plug another switch in down there and connect more devices!

 

[FTLOSM]

I know this is gonna sound dumb, but I am learnin here so bear with me, even tho this routers 2 ports are shot, and two of my devices (a pc and xbox) are in the far room (right now i just unplug one and plug in the other when i need to use them) I can use the one line into the living room put a 4 port hub (not another router a hub) and as long as the line is fed off one of the 2 existing router ports, then that one line going to the living room can be expanded by using a hub to feed xbox the pc (and or 2 other devices) all without any problems? Would it take major configuration to do this? Basically I got the RP114 router and was surprised as I hooked it up, literally there was nothing to it and it just "worked" for months (till this storm), I have always wanted to go get another 50 foot Rj45 to run to the xbox off this 4 port router, and I already have one long wire runnin out there so heck maybe I will try a hub out there to feed both those units if it is pretty hasslefree to do.

The main pc can have the other good port and the 3rd pc here is just a junker im gonna eventually tear apart and scrap, so I could get by with my limping router and use a hub in the living room (not having to run an extra 50 foot of rj45) if I am reading this correctly...

All sounding very cool to me...maybe its a good thing the router is acting up, im learning some new possibilties..
Bill

 

[Soybomb]

You've got it down, no configuration at all, the hub or switch you'll buy is plug and play. Plug your cable between the router and hub, then connect computers to the remaining ports. Your new switch might have a port labeled uplink, or a button on it change how one of its ports functions. You would connect your cable from the router to this port. Some are autosensing and you don't have to worry about anything though. Very minor consideration but something to keep in mind as you're hooking it

 

[FTLOSM]

I think that just might kill two birds with one stone, I wont have to run that 2nd long RJ45 out to the living room for my xbox (and or another pc which I might eventually do a home theater pc), and I can still leave the wifes den pc runnin and connected (which is the one long cord running out there right now that I disconnect and manually connect xbox up with just cuz I have been too lazy to go get another LONG run of RJ45 for the router...

I think I am gonna try the HUB solution first and limp the router along here for now, thanks for the help and suggestion on that cuz it might even work out to be a better solution than I expected for adding on stuff down the road here.

Bill

 

[Soybomb]

Fwiw: You probably won't see a difference for your uses, but a switch is a superior to a hub. Just something I thought I'd toss out. If you're buying new and the prices are about the same, go for the switch.