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Wireless Router Issues

I also have a Toshiba Satellite laptop and have recently experienced the frustration with wireless Internet access. In my case, the computer isn’t the problem but rather the wireless router. A few weeks ago, my router, which worked fine for about a year, went out. It was promptly replaced by Vonage; however, the replacement router, a Vonage DLink device, has “known connectivity issues.” To make a long story short, Vonage tech support told me that this particular device has known wireless connectivity problems and that I should buy a standalone wireless router. So, before going too far in troubleshooting your wireless, be aware that your router could be at fault.  

Managing Existing Wireless Connections

If you have previously setup wireless networks on your computer, it won’t hurt to remove the old networks from your Wireless Connections list. This is a list of saved settings which allow your computer to connect to your wireless network using the appropriate security passphrase. However, if you’ve since made changes to the router’s security settings, your computer may be trying to sign on to the wireless network with the old settings. By removing the old saved networks, you can then recreate a new one with the proper credentials.

In Windows Vista, go into the Network and Sharing Center and click Manage Wireless Networks. Select your network from the list and click Remove. Now, click Connect to Network, and find your network in the list. This time, you will be prompted to enter the security pass phrase or encryption key.

Wireless Router Setup

You can also try setting up your wireless router from scratch. First, find the “reset” button on the back of the router. Use an unbent paper clip and insert it into the slot to push the internal reset button. This resets the router to its factory settings. Now, make sure that your Toshiba’s wireless on-off button is in the “on” position. Click on Connect to Network. You should see the router in the list of found wireless networks. It will be labeled with your router’s brand or something similar and will appear as an unsecured network. As you connect, you’ll be prompted about the fact that it is unsecured.

If connected, you will then be able to open a Web browser where you’ll next be able to access the router’s setup screen (refer to your user’s manual for the IP address to enter as well as user name and password). If you can’t connect, you’ll need to use the yellow Ethernet cable to physically connect the Toshiba to the router for setup purposes.

Again, you’ll need your user’s manual for the setup part of the process as the steps vary by manufacturer. For example, with the DLink router, I had to enter the IP address listed in the book into the Address Bar of the browser, followed by a user name of “user” and a password of “user.” From there, I had to click on “Wireless” and then type in my desired network name. I also needed to choose a security type (I prefer WPA) and enter a unique pass phrase. After clicking Apply, the wireless module restarted and I was able to find the wireless network and connect to it using the pass phrase just assigned.

Wireless Networking Help

If you are still having trouble and your router is under warranty, call the technical support division of the manufacturer and ask for assistance. They should be able to either get your Toshiba connected or determine if the router is at fault.  

Several different scenarios could lead to Internet Explorer failing to display web pages. You’ll need to go through these suggestions, trying any of them that you haven’t already tried. Hopefully, one of them will work for you. Some of these are simple solutions and others are more involved.

Phishing Filter

It is possible that the phishing filter has been enabled and that it is preventing you from accessing websites. This is especially true for IE 7. The phishing filter can create a lag or hanging effect when browsing the Internet or it could prevent the web pages from being accessed at all. To check the setting” Open the browser, click on “Tools,” and select “Phishing Filter.” Turn the filter off if it is turned on. Save this change. Close IE 7. Open IE 7 up and see if you can access any of the web pages that you have been having problems getting to view.

Firewall Settings

Firewall settings are sometimes set at a restrictive level, but you have already checked this one, so you can move on to the next suggestion. Normally, I would ask you to turn it off and attempt browsing the Internet.

Contact the ISP

Since the problem could be with your local ISP, you should contact the company that you use. The ISP might be experiencing DNS resolution problems. Either the ISP can be experiencing difficulty sending the DNS address to your modem or the modem itself might be faulty. Either way, you need to contact your ISP and request assistance. You might need to change the DNS settings. Plus, the ISP provider can look to see what type of activity is occurring on your connection. This will help them to troubleshoot your modem and determine whether the DNS settings need to be adjusted. If this is the case, once it is completed, the problems viewing web pages should disappear. Typically, the person you get will stay with you on the phone until the problem is resolved.

System Restore

I know that you have already tried System Restore, however, there is one more possibility where this could still work. If you have recently downloaded any updates for your Windows operating system, you might try restoring your computer to a time that is earlier than the day that you installed your update, unless of course, you have already done so. 

Scan for Viruses or Spyware

In the event that your computer is infected with a virus/spyware that is creating this problem for you, run a reliable anti-virus/anti-spyware application. If you don’t already have a program to do this for you, visit Anti-Virus Plus and check out the write up on this particular.

Broadband Internet Times Out: Bad Router

It is possible that the router has gone bad. If you call up technical support for your Broadband connection, the staff can look up your specific connection to look at the activity. They should be able to tell you if the router is bad. For example, when my first router went bad, tech support could see it continually disconnecting and reconnecting, a process that accounted for my continual “time out” issues.

You can also check the device manager to see your wireless router set up. If any problems exist, the device manager should provide you with some indication of this.

Visit the Website for the Manufacturer of the Wireless Router

In general, manufacturers put together a support or help page for their customers in order to assist them with problems related to their hardware/software. Check out your router’s manufacturer and see if you can locate any information that might be of help for you. You might also be able to find a toll free phone number that you can use to talk to a technician in person. If you don’t feel comfortable with the technician’s display of knowledge, hang up and make the phone call later. Hopefully, you will get in touch with someone who is knowledgeable about the product.

Broadband Internet Times Out: Drivers

You should check out the manufacturer’s website for your router and see if you have the latest drivers. If you don’t, download them t see if that makes a difference. Alternatively, if you do have the latest drivers, it is possible that your drivers have become corrupted. If this is a possibility, then you should probably uninstall and reinstall the drivers.

Broadband Internet Times Out: Trojans

Sad to say, but some problems related to Internet connections are actually related to the presence of Trojans or other forms of malware including dialers. These nasty applications usurp the computer’s resources as well as the Internet connection. They can also lead to constant time outs or disconnects. This is especially true in networked computers where everyone is drawing from the Internet at the same time. Run a reliable anti-virus/anti-spyware application to ensure that this is not the problem. I can recommend a free one: AVG. Alternatively, you can check out ParetoLogic Anti-Virus Plus at Anti-Virus Plus. This one also provides a free scan that you can use just to see if you have any undesirable applications on your computer.

Wireless Router Woes

Ironically, two tech jocks have had similar router issues in the last few weeks, so we share your pain. In my case, I was happily working when my Internet connection appeared to go out. Thinking it was just one of those things - a cable outage - I gave it until the next day before I started troubleshooting in earnest. My detective work led me to believe that the router had gone bad. Three phone calls later (cable company, Linksys, and Vonage) confirmed my suspicions and Vonage sent me a replace router via UPS. Life is good again.

Troubleshooting Sudden Router Failures

In your case, you did some moving around of equipment, so it could be related to the new configuration. Let’s turn everything off, including the computer and the cable/DSL modem and router. Keep them powered off for at least ten minutes to completely clear the “memory” of the modem and router.

Physical Connections

While powered down, double check all cables. I know you’ve probably done so already, but let’s just make sure that everything is hooked up as it should be. Is the cable from the cable company connected into the modem? Is there a cable going from the modem into the router? Is it going into the proper port? Is your wireless adapter on your computer in the “on” position? My son loves to slide this switch to “off” for some reason, so you never know if you have little ones.

Once all connections and wireless adapter settings have been confirmed and the equipment has been off for at least ten minutes, turn on the modem. Let it fully turn on. Once all lights are on, turn on the router. Let it fully power up before finally turning on the PC. Any luck?

Router Settings

Still no go? Time to pull out the router’s user manual and double check the settings. Usually, you’ll enter the IP address into a Web browser followed by a user name and password. The default information should be in your user’s manual. If you changed these settings originally, hopefully you remember them or wrote them down in the manual. Click on the Wireless option (this will vary depending on the router) and write down the settings such as the SSID and mode, etc.

Now, look in the System Tray and look for the “wireless networks are available” notification. Click on that. Is your wireless network listed? If so, can you connect?

Diagnose and Repair

If you have Windows Vista, click on Start >Network. Now, click on Network and Sharing Center. Click on Diagnose and Repair. Let Windows check out your network and possibly make corrections.

Contact Router Manufacturer

Finally, you may need tech support. If your router is still under warranty, they’ll help walk you through a variety of troubleshooting steps. If you have a combo router, such as Vonage/Linksys as I did, you may have to call both companies. In my case, Linksys wanted to charge me for tech support, so I called Vonage who handled it for free - and replaced the router for free.

If your computer is randomly booting you off of the Internet, it’s unlikely that it is related to a particular website. It’s possible that you spend more time on MySpace than other websites, so you notice it more often there. My guess is that you have a hardware problem with your modem or router, but it is worth exploring a few other possibilities first.

Check for Viruses

You could be the victim of a virus that is causing your Internet connection problems. Make sure that you keep your antivirus programs updated and running regularly. You can also run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool by clicking on the link. If you do find a virus, you might want to wait and see if this solves the problem.

Is it possible that your connection is taking too long to respond and is timing out? If you have a dial-up connection this might be a possibility. You can take an internet speed test like the one from speedtest.net .

Check Your Cables

Sometimes, the most obvious thing is the real problem. Check your connections and make sure that all cables are securely seated and that nothing is loose.

Modem Connections and Settings

If you’ve checked the cables and settings and everything looks fine, then you need to check the modem and router.

Check your modem settings and update your drivers by going to:

1. Select Control Panel, then open the Phone and Modems Icon.
2. Choose Modem and then Click Properties. You can now update your drivers as well as troubleshoot problems and find conflicts.
3. Make sure your system isn’t set to Auto Disconnect - most computers arrive with this disabled, but it can be reset on accident. Look in the Advanced tab. Choose the default Preferences and then make sure that the option “Disconnect a call if idle” is not checked.

If you do have a problem with the modem, you may need to get a new one in order to solve it.

Check Your Router

We just had this happen in our office a few weeks ago where the Internet connection was disconnecting and then reconnecting every few minutes. Thinking it was our modem, we had our service provider replace the modem, but we still had the same problem. We eventually replaced the router and it’s been fine every since. Replacing the router is a more expensive solution than some of the other options, so try other fixes first.

If you check all of these issues and you are still having a problem with your Internet shutting down, let us know some specifics - what computer you are using, how often the Internet is shutting down and who your Internet service provider is and we can try to give you other solutions.

The Acer Aspire 1310 Notebook Computer and Wireless LANs

Your Acer Aspire 1310 notebook computer may or may not have a built-in wireless network adapter as the 802.11b wireless LAN was an optional feature on this particular computer. Most laptops that have built-in wireless have a switch on the laptop that you use to turn wireless on and off. The two most common places for these switches are in the upper right corner of the laptop’s surface or along the front edge, near the latch. Look for a tiny “on/off” switch with an icon near it that looks like a radio tower emitting radio waves.

Enabling Wireless on your Aspire 1310

If your computer is so equipped, enabling wireless is as easy as flipping the switch. You will need a wireless signal, of course. This may come from a wireless network that you’ll be setting up in your home or from a Wi-Fi hotspot such as at the local Starbucks or your public library. When the switch is in the on position and you are within range of a free Wi-Fi hotspot, you should see a notification in your System Tray saying “Wireless networks are available.” From there, you can click on a link to connect. Your Windows Firewall (or other installed firewall) should prompt you to choose a profile which is a security measure to keep hackers from wirelessly intruding into your computer.

Public Hotspots

If you’re at a public hotspot, choose the “public” profile. Some Wi-Fi hotspots require that you enter your customer number or hotel room information to verify that you are a paying customer and that you qualify for the service. You may need to check with an employee for assistance connecting.

Installing a Wireless Adapter on your Aspire 1310

Since the wireless LAN adapter was optional, there’s a good chance that you do not have this option. Don’t worry, you can free yourself of cables soon enough. The two main types for laptops are PCI wireless network cards and USB wireless adapters. Both are easy to install and use. If you have a free PCI card slot, I’d go with a PCI card because USB ports fill up fast, especially if you have a USB mouse, MP3 player, printer, and so on. These wireless adapters simply plug in to your free PCI card slot or USB port (depending on the type you get) and require a simple installation. Once installed, your computer should be able to see other wireless networks. You will need to enter a password to log onto secured wireless networks such as your home network, so double check with whoever’s in charge to make sure that you have the proper log on credentials.