[rob2xx2]

Hi all,

I have a Dell Vostro 1500 laptop with Vista Business SP2 + all updates. My ADSL modem is a Netgear DG834G wireless broadband router. Anti-malware: PrivateFirewall 7.0 + Avast! AV. Browser: Firefox 3.5.9

This combination works well, IF I remember to switch on the router before the laptop boots up. If I switch the router on afterwards, or if the router is switched off and back on, or when the laptop comes back from hibernation - it "can't find" the wired internet connection. No error messages, just failure to connect to the web or read email or even ping a site from the command prompt.

This is not such a big deal because if I switch on the wireless option on the laptop, and manually connect to the router the connection can be made, and sometimes after a while I find that the wired connection has been re-established. As a rule I prefer to use the wired connection - I think it is a bit faster than the wireless. But mostly I just want to know what/why/how etc. for my own education.

I have tried the Windows network diagnostics and it always comes back with the message that it can't solve the problem. Reboot: problem solved.

So I have two questions:
1. Why doesn't the laptop become aware of the router when it is switched on?
2. Is there a manual way to reconnect, like the manual "Connect to" option for wireless?

Thanks for advice.

Rob

[Advertisements]

Welcome to Geeks to Go!, rob2xx2.

You should not be switching off the router just because you don't need it - most people do not (including myself). Everytime you switch off the router, it has to 'handshake' with your ISP again the next time you switch it on, and this can take up to 3 or 4 minutes before a connection is established.
That's much longer than most computers take to startup Windows, so although the PC is ready, the router isn't.

I know we are all being encouraged to save power by turning things off we aren't using, but a router is an exception. Once a connection has been established it's best to leave it be, unless you're ISP advises you to toggle it off/on to reset it when a problem arises.

Leave the router on at all times unless you are forced to unplug it to move it somewhere else, for example. Waiting for it to 'handshake' with the ISP and be ready to use is too annoying too keep turning it off! Besides, if it's a wireless router and other members of the family are connecting to it (as they do in my family), the last thing they want is for me to turn it off when I've finished using it but they haven't!

[phillipcorcoran]

Welcome to Geeks to Go!, rob2xx2.

You should not be switching off the router just because you don't need it - most people do not (including myself). Everytime you switch off the router, it has to 'handshake' with your ISP again the next time you switch it on, and this can take up to 3 or 4 minutes before a connection is established.
That's much longer than most computers take to startup Windows, so although the PC is ready, the router isn't.

I know we are all being encouraged to save power by turning things off we aren't using, but a router is an exception. Once a connection has been established it's best to leave it be, unless you're ISP advises you to toggle it off/on to reset it when a problem arises.

Leave the router on at all times unless you are forced to unplug it to move it somewhere else, for example. Waiting for it to 'handshake' with the ISP and be ready to use is too annoying too keep turning it off! Besides, if it's a wireless router and other members of the family are connecting to it (as they do in my family), the last thing they want is for me to turn it off when I've finished using it but they haven't!

[rob2xx2]

HI Phillip,

> Welcome to Geeks to Go!, rob2xx2
Thanks!

Thanks for that information: I didn't realise it took so long for the router to connect to the ISP. That certainly explains why it doesn't connect if I switch them on the 'wrong' way round, or if the modem is toggled on/off.

On coming back from hibernation I still get the problem. I thought I had solved it by unchecking the box "Allow computer to switch this device off to save power" (Computer > Properties > Device Manager > Network adapters > .... controller > properties > power management), but it seems to have come back.

Could I re-ask the question: "Is there a manual way to reconnect, like the manual "Connect to" option for wireless?"

Cheers,

Rob