<font color=skyblue>Sometimes I cannot access the internet when I first log in. I thought it had something to do with my soundcard's splash screen in the past, but it does not. I have accidently figured out that it is the router that is giving me trouble. Whenever I cannot access my browser, I can go into my network utility, go to adapter settings, and "renew" network adapter settings. That zero's out the IP, subnet mask, and gateway...then brings them back online. When I do this, I can then access the net.

BUT...it is not stable. Whenever I have to do this, there is a 50% chance of getting dropped within minutes of accessing the internet. Then I have to renew again!

This is not something that occurs daily. It occurs maybe 30% of the time on all logins. It is still bothersome. Before figuring this trick out, I was having to reboot to access the net. Now, at least I don't have to reboot...but it is still a tedious task to get access again.

I have the most up-to-date firmware/patch for the router. What is my next step? I know little to nothing about router maintenence, so is there something that I can configure to make it work more properly? Should I call the manufacturer?</font>

Are you doing the renewing from your PC, or the router? I know that periodically (like earlier this week), my router gets flaky. Rebooting it helps clean things up. At least, so far... :D

Other than that, I'm not sure how much maintenance you can do to the router. A hard boot (fully resetting it) is about the most I can think of.

If it is still in warranty, return it for a new one, otherwise buy a new one and save yourself some trouble. Get a net gear router. We use them in 80% of our locations and have had no issues for a year in the industry.

Start with a complete power down of the router. Once it's back up, communicate with it through your browser at it's IP address. Under the main menu, you should have an option to renew or refresh, and one to aotu refresh periodically. I have found that for residential use, one needs to 'refresh' often, probably quarterly, or allow the router to refresh on a monthly time schedule.

<font color=skyblue>Thanks all. I will try these out tomorrow when I can safely scream profanities at things going wrong without waking the kids.

;) </font>

by the by, what type of router is it?

Never mind that. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Haha.

Well, my Netgear (wifi) used to get unstable after I had downloaded a few gigs of stuff (usually after a week or two solid online.) One day I reset the router, and now it has been fine ever since. So just give it a reset like they said.

I have reset, but not to the point of erasing the memory. I just did the quick reset that they say to try first. I'll see if this helps. If not, then I will completly wipe it clean and start over.

So far, so good.