View Full Version : Broadband drop-out
tomahawk_pa38
16th Feb 2015, 11:18
I've just bought a new computer (Windows 8.1) and when I switch it on, my router drops out and prevents any of my devices connecting with it. (I've watched the router lights turn red as soon as the computer logs on). My old computer also did this towards the end of it's life and I thought buying a new one would solve this problem. I've got a brand new router (supplied by the telephone company) and I'm now on an optic fibre link so was expecting great things. As soon as I switch it off - the router shows all 'greens' and my other devices connect.
Any ideas please ?
Booglebox
16th Feb 2015, 12:24
How are you connected to the router? (wifi, ethernet, USB?)
tomahawk_pa38
16th Feb 2015, 12:45
Sorry - wi-fi. All of the other devices are also wi-fi and they are fine until I switch my computer on.
Many thanks
The Flying Pram
16th Feb 2015, 19:48
You say "as it logs on" - do you mean as soon as it has booted into Windows, or when it's establishing a connection (or trying to) with the router? My first thoughts are some kind of spurious RF emissions from the power supply. Are we talking of a laptop or desktop? If a laptop, what happens if you move it further away - the next room for instance? Failing that, what happens if you disable the wireless card? And does the computer also have Bluetooth built in and operating?
boguing
17th Feb 2015, 00:48
If I understand you correctly, this is happening with new computer and new router, but also happened with a previous computer and router.
I can only think of three reasons.
A. One of the 'other devices' you mention is telling the router to reboot. What are the other devices? Is one of them a computer that is logged into the router control panel software?
B. The mains socket/circuit that you are using for the new computer (and its predecessor) has a loose connection causing interference.
C. There is software on the router (the like of which I have not heard) that has been told to disable the router when a prohibited or unauthorised device tries to connect.
Try connecting the new laptop to the router via an ethernet cable if possible and see how that goes.If it's ok, then further investigation into your wifi RF path can begin.
tomahawk_pa38
18th Feb 2015, 10:21
Thanks to those who replied. I had already called out a telephone engineer who said that he really couldn't find any equipment faults but he changed one of the filters anyway and now it works OK. Coincidence or not I'll have to wait to see I guess. I have since been told it may be to do with the DHCP settings and that I need to make sure it's not trying to conect to a specific IP address and it should 'Allow automatic IP adress assignment'. I'm not toucjung anythingnow though as it's working OK.
Many thanks