My router doesn't work

by Fred Litt

In the last several weeks, I have had numerous clients call me complaining that they could not connect to the Internet. All of these clients had routers, all had high-speed Internet service, and all had been working perfectly up until their connection failed.

Each tried their best to work through solving the problem on their own. Their actions were typical, but unsuccessful.

Of course, each called their local Internet Service Provider (ISP) - who, of course, told them it wasn't their problem - and that it was probably their firewall. Each, of course, turned off their firewall (or removed the software). The problem remained.

Then, each contacted their router manufacturer, who told them the problem was the firewall. Everybody blames the firewall. And round and round they went - until they called me.

First, I confirmed their Internet modem worked fine (the lights were on). Next, I tested to make sure their network card worked - and that there was no IP conflict. Lastly, I tried to enter their router through a hard wired PC. These are all professional techniques.

Here are a few sources of problems:

1) If you use a popular brand router (e.g., Linksys), if you don't use wireless security, someone nearby can access your network and, for fun, change your access and security codes, thereby preventing you from accessing the Internet.

2) Sometimes firewall software (e.g., Norton, McAfee) loses its mind and thinks you are being attacked - and shuts down your Internet access.

3) Routers sometimes become scrambled during powers outages or brown-outs.

Here are a few solutions:

1) Remove your firewall software. Don't turn it off as this doesn't get the job done. In my humble opinion, most family and small business users do more harm to their network WITH firewall software than without it.

2) Reset your router. First, make sure you have all of the instructions and codes to configure your router properly. Second, on all popular brand routers, there is a RESET button located at the rear. Press this button (with a pencil tip) for 30 seconds, pull out the power, wait thirty seconds, put power back in, and give it a try.

I'll bet this will help you in 75% of your problem situations.

This article was provided by Fred Litt, Family Technology Associates, Allendale, NJ. Fred welcomes your comments and questions. Visit http://www.FamilyTechnology.com to learn more about Fred's professional efforts.

Email Fred at mailto:Fred@FamilyTechnology.com