Vista connections issues!!

1234567 · Mar 24, 2009

Hello,
Im currently using Vista 32bit, with comcast Connection 16 kbps.

Whenever I try to connect to skype or Requiem ( game) I get disconnected for 20-30 secounds. I have reset my routher (Linksys), PC, Modems, ran straight line from my modem. Nothing seems to be fixing the issue. It almost appears to be a Vista issue! Comcast says my connection is 100% active and good!

Any Suggestions? Im not to tech savy, but I can figure most of the basics out with ease.

Any alternative suggestions? Randomly this will take place, and remember that it gives me no warning on disconnect other then the globe ( System tray) On the 2 pc's vanishing for 20 secounds.

thanks for any help posted.

AstaLaVista · Mar 24, 2009

I am having the same issues with my new Comcast connection. I learn from someone else here that you could use OpenDNS.com to issue static dns addressess to your router and PC because what is happening is that your Linksys is not really picking up the dns address of comcast and from time to time you will loose connectivity.

Sorry if I am confusing you more than helping but Networking is a little Greek to me too. Suffice to say, if you can figure out the most basic problems on the PC as stated before, going to OpenDNS | Providing A Safer And Faster Internet will help you figure this out.

1234567 · Mar 24, 2009

SO what am i doing once I install this software? I can see how the router would be an issue, however.... I dont understand how it can cause the same exact problem once I am hooked directly to my modem!

AstaLaVista · Mar 24, 2009

There is no software to install, all you do is use the DNS addresses from OpenDNS instead of the one used by Comcast, both on your network adapter and router. If you go to that page, they will explain (step by step) what to do on both ends.

I have been using it for the past 3 days w/o issue but, since I was having problems with my Wireless printer not printing, I went back to using the comcast DNSs and, lo and behold, my wife called me this morning that she had no internet.

H2SO4 · Mar 24, 2009

Name-to-IP resolution is generally only required once when an app starts, and then perhaps again after long periods of inactivity. For example, you start your browser, type in www.intel.com, and that causes a lookup for the IP address of the Intel web server.

Once that IP is known to the OS, it does not need to ask again until the browsing moves to a different server, or until the mapping expires or times out, which might take hours. Hence, problems where an app manages to CONNECT to the server, but is then rapidly disconnected soon afterwards are generally not going to be linked to DNS - the name resolution was already completed successfully, and there's no way for the DNS client to subsequently cause the disconnect, even if it wanted to.

To the OP: if you have two separate PCs doing this, and you've bypassed the router, obviously the modem and the link itself are the common factors. ISPs always say "it aint us you know", but that's not necessarily reliable. Try updating the NIC drivers and disabling all firewalls for a while, then running in [safe mode + net] long enough to see whether the same issue occurs. Try borrowing another machine from someone else and checking whether it too has the same problem - preferably different hardware, different drivers, and even a different OS if you can, just so the software is completely removed from the list of possible culprits, like the router.

At that point, it's the modem, or the link. You wouldn't be the first to have hardware problems at that level.

JCPlus · Mar 24, 2009

Vista has some issues with DHCP over wireless. Try manually setting the IP, gateway (router), and DNS. Also disable IPv6.

Hope this helps.

- JC

AstaLaVista · Mar 24, 2009

Disable IPv6 huh... who might one do that and why is it there?

JCPlus · Mar 25, 2009

IPv6 is essentially an "extended" type of IP addressing that allows more addresses to exist than the current IPv4 (ie 192.168.0.1) schema.

On a SOHO network, you don't need the extended addresses and it is likely your provider isn't using them on your modem/router end, either.

Unless it's required (ie your company is using it on their network), it just adds overhead to the traffic. That can lead to slowdowns, some instability, and interruptions in service or disconnects- especially if some older equipment is used that may/may not support it fully, or at least the compatibility modes (think translators).

This can be changed in your network settings, should be listed with the feature sets loaded on your network controller. Just remove the checkmark for IPv6.

Control Panel (classic), Network and sharing center, manage network connections, right click on your connection and choose properties.

Hope this helps.

- JC

JCPlus · Mar 25, 2009

One more thing about DNS, especially if you are using a home network with other networked devices, such as printers and other computers, etc.

It is often better to set your router as the DNS server for your network devices, and set the router's DNS to an external DNS server(s), such as the ones mentioned by others.

Why? Simple. If you want to keep track of internally networked items on a private network (ie 192.168.x.x), an external DNS cannot track those by design. Your router can, since it exists on that network.

Some devices try to resolve by name (some printers), though many are now defaulting to MAC addresses so it's less of an issue, but I believe in stacking the deck in your favor.

A second note on DNS problems.

Start, Run, cmd

At the command prompt, type

nslookup

After a moment it will list your DNS server and give you a separate prompt >

Enter the name of a web address you are having trouble with and see that it comes back with an ip address.

If not, enter

server 192.168.0.1

(replace the ip address with the ip address of your DNS server you are trying out)

Now try the web address again. If it is successful, you have a DNS problem with your configured DNS server.

This allows you to temporarily change your DNS without configuration changes for testing and other purposes.

Then you can also try pinging the IP address of the site. If you can ping by address, but not by name, you also have a DNS issue.

BTW, type exit to end that session

- JC

AstaLaVista · Mar 25, 2009

WOW... that was a mouth full :shock:

:D

I will follow instructions and test it out tonight when I get home... Thanks

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