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Several ideas come to mind including cabling, interference, and bandwidth thieves. Let’s take a look.

Testing Internet Speeds

Several online tools are available where you can check your actual connection speeds. CNET’s Bandwidth Online Test is one such tool. I just tested my own connection with this tool and was pleased to see that my speed appears to be about what I expected it to be.

When you sign up for high-speed Internet access, you are often given several different plans from which to choose with the fastest connections costing more. If you’re paying for higher speeds, you certainly don’t want to live with a slow connection. Apparently, the speed being delivered from the DSL line into your modem is coming in as it should. But from the modem to your computer to your Internet experience, something is causing a bottlejam.

Physical Connections  

Back when I worked in broadcasting, cables were often the culprit when quality issues arose. It didn’t matter if it was a video or audio signal, if the image or sound was bad, swapping out the cables often resolved the problem. I would try a fresh Ethernet cable from the modem to the PC as well as a new DSL line from the jack to the modem. In addition, if you are using splitters or adapters of any type, lose them and invest in the appropriate type or length of cable. Adapters and splitters further degrade signals.

Interference

Have you noticed whether or not the slow connection speeds are intermittent? Does the connection slow down when another part of the DSL line is in use, such as when you’re on the phone or sending faxes? Do you have numerous USB peripheral devices such as scanners and printers? If so, these could be using the computer’s external bus which in turn could cause a slower than expected DSL speed.

Bandwidth Thieves

One of the most common causes of slow Internet connections, DSL or otherwise, is having too many programs and processes using the available bandwidth. Some of this is necessary and legitimate. For example, your antivirus program regular transmits back and forth with its developer in order to download the latest updates and keep your computer safe. Likewise, Windows regularly downloads hotfixes, updates, security patches, and other operating system files from Microsoft. I can always tell when Microsoft Updates is doing its deed without even looking for the icon in my system tray because my entire computer slows down, especially my Internet connection.

The real bandwidth thieves are those you aren’t even aware of. If your computer is infested with spyware such as keyloggers or Trojans, these nasty little intruders are busy recording your keystrokes and downloading other spyware applications which have missions of their own. Soon, you may have dozens of unwanted visitors performing malicious tasks - and hogging your bandwidth as they communicate back and forth with their master.

What to Do

I would start by investing in the right cables, especially if your current cables are old or funky. Next, I would run a complete, system-wide virus and spyware scan to rule out spyware (after downloading the latest updates of course). If you don’t have these products, you are strongly urged to invest in them. Here’s a series of antivirus reviews we recently conducted on the latest editions for 2009. Look for a product that provides virus and spyware protection as well as real time blocking.

I would also keep my eye on the connection speeds and observe what seems to affect them. Try unplugging multiple USB devices and see if that helps. If none of these tips speeds up your connection, the modem itself may need to be adjusted or may be failing.

IP Addresses

An IP address is a lot like your street address, and one is given to every computer that is connected to the Internet. It will be a string of number such as 192.68.4.7. The last two numbers are what will tell you what kind of address you are using. If the second to last number is between 0 and 255 and the last number is between 1 and 254, you are using a private IP address so that you can have your own network.

You said that both computers are using the IP addresses that have been provided to you, but I want you to be sure they are different. You need to go to Start, then click on Run. In the command window, type in cmd and click OK. The command window will come up. At the prompt, type in ipconfig. You will see your IP Address listed. Do this on both computers to see if the addresses are different. If they somehow were changed and are the same, then you’re going to have to assign a new address to one of the computers. Make sure the numbers aren’t arbitrary and work with your network.

Check Your Network

If your addresses are different, then you need to check your network. Are you using wireless? If so, then you need to check the security of your network. If you don’t have security enabled, then anyone in your vicinity can log onto your system. Also see if you have any other devices that are connecting to the Internet. We have an IP phone that connects us directly to the office that could also be using the same IP address.

Use Dynamic IP Addresses

If you want to avoid this altogether, you can set your system to get dynamic IP addresses, where you are assigned a new IP address automatically each time you log on, rather than a static system like you have that keeps the same IP address all the time. You have to first set your router to use dynamic IP addresses - most of the time you can do this using your web-based router configuration. I use Netgear, and after logging onto their website, there is a menu on the left side of the screen that gives options about setting your router to get dynamic IP addresses. You need to also set your LAN to use your router as your Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server.

Once you’ve set your router correctly, you can get into your computers and set each one to get dynamic IP addresses.

1. Go to Start, then Control Panel and then click on Network Connections.
2. Right click on Local Area Connections. Choose Properties.
3. Find the TCP/IP and right click to choose Properties.
4. You want to see that Obtain IP addresses automatically and DNS Servers Automatically are selected.

In my opinion, setting your IP addresses to dynamic is a good way to avoid this problem, unless you have a specific reason for keeping them static.

In order to get at the bottom of this, I am going to suggest a few troubleshooting strategies. I researched the error number that you are getting, but I am not locating any information on it. If you could provide us with the make and model information as well as the exact error message, we may be able to provide more specific advice. In the meantime, here are some ideas.

Use a Different PC Card Slot

A possibility exists that the PC card slot is bad. Therefore, you need to use a different one to see if that is the problem.

Seat the Wireless Card Properly

Make sure that you have seated the card securely in the PC slot that you have chosen for it. If it is not securely set, it will not be recognized. Try this several times since this is one of the most common reasons for this type of error.

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.

Obtain the Latest Drivers

Visit the manufacturer’s website and check to make sure that you have the latest drivers. If not, download them now.

Uninstall and Reinstall the Drivers

If you discover that you already have the latest drivers, uninstall the drivers and reinstall them. Sometimes a faulty installation can lead to problems such as the one that you are experiencing.

Use the Device Manager

Enter the device manager and check out your wireless router set up. Look for any problems that exist and correct them if you find any.

Motherboard Issue

It is also possible that the motherboard no longer recognizes the physical connection of the PC card slot. Even if reseating the card doesn’t work, it could still be a motherboard issue.

It seems that you think this is a virus, although there could be other causes for your Internet to be periodically disconnected. We’ll address the virus issue first, and if that doesn’t work, you can try some of our other suggestions.

Antivirus Programs

The first thing to try is the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool, which is available for download here: http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx . I’m assuming that you have antivirus and antispyware protection - if so, make sure it is updated by downloading any updates from the manufacturer’s website and running them regularly. If you don’t, you need to get some quality antivirus software. We have recently reviewed about 20 quality antivirus programs. Check out our reviews here:

http://filetonic.com/blog/2008/10/24/2009-antivirus-software-reviews/

Modem Connections and Settings

If you run the antivirus programs and you are still being disconnected from the Internet, chances are the problem isn’t a virus. The easiest thing to do is to check your Modem connections and make sure everything is where it should be.

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

1. Control Panel, then double click on the Phone and Modems Icon.
2. Select Modem and Click Properties. From here, you can update your drivers, troubleshoot any problems and find conflicts.
3. Check to see that your system isn’t set to Auto Disconnect - the computer will come with this disabled, but it’s possible that it was reset. This is located in Advanced. Check the default Preferences and make sure that the “Disconnect a call if idle” is not checked.

If you are having a problem with the modem, you may have to get a new one to solve this problem.

Check Your Router

We actually had this happen to us just last week. Our Internet connection was disconnecting and then reconnecting randomly - I don’t have to tell you how annoying that is. We had our ISP replace the modem, but it was still a problem. We replaced the router and it’s been working fine every since. It is a more expensive solution, so try some of the above fixes first, but it is worth checking into if all else fails.

The Orange Icon 225 Mobile Internet USB Device

The Orange icon 225 mobile internet USB device is a plug-and-play device. This means that the drivers are included in the device itself. The device mounts similarly to a USB flash drive. Once you download the drivers either from the device or the Orange website, it functions as a broadband modem. All you need to do is plug it into a compatible computer. It offers maximum portability and it is user friendly once you have it installed. The software installs from the built-in memory.

Compatible Operating Systems for the Orange icon 225 mobile internet USB device

Unfortunately, Orange has not introduced drivers that support the Linux operating system. Currently, drivers are only available for Windows and Mac operating systems. Therefore, the drivers aren’t available through Orange.

Mandriva Linux

Mandriva Linux includes standard drivers that can be loaded into memory as needed. In fact, Mandriva Linux is noted for having excellent hardware detection capability. Typically, necessary drivers for specific hardware devices are loaded during boot up of the computer.

However, not being more familiar with the Orange icon 225 mobile internet USB device or with the capability of Linux in providing the specific drivers needed for this device to function properly, I cannot state that attempting to load the drivers at boot up will actually work. In fact, it is more than likely that certain “bugs” will occur with the performance of the Orange icon 225 mobile internet USB device due to the fact that the device has not been designed with Linux in mind.

Possible Fix

For an option that has been offered by other Orange icon 225 mobile internet USB device users, you can check into the forums at Ubuntu. Visit this link: Ubuntu forums and read through the discussion that begins with the following phrase “Here’s my messy guide.” I can’t vouch for this strategy, but I did find that other Internet users suggested that this could work with Mandriva Linux.

Technical Support

If the above does not provide you with enough of a solution, you can consider obtaining technical support help by following this link: Filetonic Support.

What Is the Security Key or Pass Phrase?

The security key and pass phrase of a wireless router are typically set by the administrator of the device. They are designed to prevent “just anyone” from making changes that will affect “everyone’s” use of the wireless router.

How to Check the Default Password

Wireless routers come with default passwords that can be changed at the user’s discretion. On the off chance that the default password was kept by this individual, your first step should be to look up the password and try to use it. In order to look up the default password for a wireless router, you have three options:

• Look in the manual that came with the wireless router.
• Search online using the make and model number of the router along with the phrase “default password.”
• Contact the manufacturer of the wireless router and ask what the default password for the router’s make and model. It should also be available on the website for this manufacturer.

How to Recover the Administrative Password

Unfortunately, short of having the previous administrator tell you the password, it cannot be retrieved. However, resetting the wireless router will allow you to create a new administrative password.

Reset a Wireless Router

When you reset the wireless router, the router is changed back to the original factory settings. The default password is also reset.

How to Reset a Wireless Router

In general, wireless routers are reset according to a similar set of instructions that includes variations across manufacturers and models.

However, the following set of instructions should work for most routers:

• Carefully turn the router over and look at the underside or the rear of the router.
• Search for a tiny pinhole. Beneath or above the pinhole, it should portray “reset”.
• Unbend a small paperclip until it is straight.
• Insert the paperclip into the tiny pinhole on the router. The router must be turned on when you do this.
• As you insert the paperclip, you will feel a tiny button that you will press with the tip of the paperclip. Hold the button down for a count of ten or ten seconds. You will be able to tell when it is time to stop pressing down because the lights on the front of the router will stop blinking.
• The router reboots and is set with the default password and you can now reconfigure the router.

It is important to look at your wireless router’s manual either online or in paper format since variations do exist in the way to reset certain routers.