New Router messing up my computer?

[Tony]

Hey, a recent thread inspired me to ask this question, and instead of derailing the other thread, I thought I'd start a new one even though the question is similar.
    I recently got a Linksys wireless router.  Ever since that day, my computer has at times been acting weird.  For example, I might have Internet Explorer open (yes, I know I should use Firefox) and I can surf the web fine.  But while I'm surfing through Consolegold, I might try to open another IE window.  I see an hourglass for a second, then nothing.  When I try to do the Alt-Cntrl-Del trick, the exact same thing happens, hourglass and then nothing.  
   But as soon as I unplug the router, all the missing windows open suddenly and the computer is fine.  Oh, and sometimes when I turn the computer off it takes an unusually long time to shut down.  
   And I do have Zonealarm, as seems to be the problem in another thread.  
    Thanks for any help!

[egrudzin]

This is a wierd one.  It sounds as if IE is searching for something when you load it and is having problems finding it (whatever "it" is) and thus hangs because it can't find what it needs.  When you down Windows it tries to gracefully close its network connections which may also cause it to hang if it can't communicate across the network.

Here's a couple things to try:
-Did you have any custom network settings on the PC before you got the router?  If so try and undo them.  Just set everything to automatic if possible.

-Try resetting the router to factory default settings.  There may be a button to do this or you may have to go to the internal web page of the router.  The manual should have instructions for this.

-Check for a firmware update for the router on the manufacturer's website.

-Swap network cables around to test for a bad cable

-The router could just be defective.  Can you take it back and exchange it for another?

[Geezerone]

I would also suggest that you look at the log file on your router to see if you got someone hijacking your connection.

Are you using the wireless connection when this happens or the wired connection?  If it's wireless, try using wired and see if it's still happening.  If it's not happening when you are wired, then it might be due to electronic noise.  Go around your house and turn off/disconnect any cordless phones, baby monitors,  microwaves, etc.  

I personally switched to a 5 GHz cordless phone so as not to interfere with my wireless connection.

Good luck!

[Tony]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I'm a little nervous to try to switch around the cables because I didn't set it up, and the person who did is now partying in Florida and I'd hate to call him up and bug him while he's drinking.  
     I have SBC DSL, but the problem occurred both before and after I uninstalled their drivers.  So other than that, I don't believe there were any custom network settings.   And before the person who installed the router left to party it up in Florida, he installed all the latest firmware updates.  
   Then again, I can switch around cables later when I get home.  If I can install a video card and RAM in my computer, I'm certainly capable of moving around some cables.  
   And no, I can't take it back unfortunately.  It was a gift purchased about 2 and a half hours away.  
    I've only been using the wireless connection.  So there could be interference from something else, lord knows I have enough electronic doodads all around the house that could do it.  
   Hmmm...I'll mess around with it later.  Thanks again!

[Zimix]

The main thing that would cause intereference would be a cordless phone.  As the majority of Wireless Routers/Access Points run at 2.4 GHz.  The most common wireless phone is also 2.4 GHz.  Check to see if the problem only happens when you are on the phone.

Also, since you are using DSL, I would recommend changing the Max MTU on your network card to 1492, as this will allow for the PPPoE overhead, and cause the pages to pull up quite a bit faster.

To do this, take a look at the following link: http://www.dslreports.com/drtcp

[Tony]

Well, I messed around with it, and nothing worked.  However, I live in an apartment so it might be possible that somebody nearby is using cordless phones or other electronic devices that are messing up my router.  The people below me were blasting some horrible song with their subwoofer up, so I don't know if that could do it or not.  Ah poofy.

[vagabond]

Well, I messed around with it, and nothing worked.  However, I live in an apartment so it might be possible that somebody nearby is using cordless phones or other electronic devices that are messing up my router.  The people below me were blasting some horrible song with their subwoofer up, so I don't know if that could do it or not.  Ah poofy.

Stereo wouldn't do it, but a signal at the same frequency would. SBC DSL runs at 900 meg and even with the wire it will still get screwed up by 900 meg cordless phones.