Name: Ryan
Status: Student
Age: 15
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: June 2002
Question:
Two computers in are house share a DSL line that split
with a hub or a router (I forgot which one it is). One of the computers
"mine" keeps getting disconnected from the Internet but the other one
does not. The only way to get it to connect again is to either restart or
go in to standby mode which is what i do. then 5 minutes later it
disconnects me again. Also whenever I am downloading something it
disconnects me more often. This gets really frustrating. I checked
everything to make sure its working right and everything seemed fine to
me so I am guessing that it is my computer. It could not be the hub, the
cord, etc. because the other computer is working just fine. So, can
anybody think of anything that could be wrong with my computer that keeps
causing me to get disconnected?
Replies:
Ryan this is a great question.
First I would like to eliminate some variables here to make sure you are
going in the right direction when it comes to your troubleshooting. First
have you connected the computer that keeps getting disconnected directly to
your DSL modem and if so does it still get disconnected? If your computer
does not get disconnected then you know it is not the computer but
somewhere in the upstream process that is causing your communication
failure. I am also assuming that you are using a DLS router to split the
signal, (ie a Linksys) did you check their web site to make sure there are
no known issues with that router disconnecting people from the Internet?
What DSL provider are you using? Some DSL providers use an encapsulating
technology called PPPOE (Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet) which
require you to scale back your MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) to work
properly with their system when using multiple computers over one DSL line.
If your computer is sending multiple packets of data and they are over this
maximum of 1500 bytes then your computer will seem to lose connection. I
have seen routers turn off that port for a given number of minutes to
ensure that the computer is not flooding the network with garbage packets
if it detects the MTU is larger than 1500 bytes. As a last resort, try to
reset your router. Turn it off wait 5 minutes and then turn it back on.
Here is a great web site that has all of the information you need to help
you in your DSL troubles and give you information on how to change your
MTU.
http://www.speedguide.net
I hope this gives you a place to start in your troubleshooting quest.
Thanks For using NEWTON.
Joe Noga
There are no doubt people on Newton BBS far more expert than I who may
know the answer. If not there are several ways to find resources: 1. The
web site www.deja.com is a "chat room" type site where people post
question/solution type questions. Post your problem and see what responses
have already been posted. Look for the response that shows the largest
number of "hits". That is where you will most likely find the answer.
Magazines like "P.C. World" have web pages with FAQ's that may also lead you
to a solution. Check with your Internet provider, it may be that the
settings on the "bad" computer are not correct.
NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.
