This Again: Connected to Internet, But Browsers Won't Work (Router Problem?)

[evcco]

Ever since I connected a wireless router between my modem and my laptop about a month ago, all my browsers (Firefox, Chrome, IE) will suddenly stop connecting to websites every few days or so. I'm apparently still connected to the network, I still have internet access, but my browsers say otherwise. I cannot even connect to my router admin page.

Here is my exact setup:
Dynamic IP Internet (Bell Canada) -> DSL Modem (SpeedStream 5200) -> Router (D-Link DIR-605L) -> Ethernet LAN -> Laptop (Windows Vista)
All firmware is up to date
All hardware is working fine
Scanned for viruses/malware - none found

I'm 99% sure this has something to do with my router or router/network settings. But as far as I can tell everything is set up by the book. Now, I've seen similar problems mentioned all over help sites like this, and while there doesn't seem to be any consensus as to why this happens in the first place, the solution generally seems to be either to manually reset TCP/IP and/or Winsock, or enter a new DNS number. The difference with me is that all I need to do to resolve the problem is simply reboot my laptop and everything works fine again (at least for a few more days until it happens again). So naturally I'm wondering: What exactly is being reset when I reboot my computer?? The problem must lay there - wherever "there" is - no?


Any thoughts/suggestions/solutions would be greatly appreciated!


PS:
For further information you can see the help (or lack thereof) given to me at the router's help forum: http://forums.dlink.com/index.php?topic=62608.0

 

[digitaldoc]

See if there is a firmware upgrade for the router.

http://support.dlink.com/ProductInfo.aspx?m=DIR-605L

Certain routers are just not stable at maintaining a signal. I had this issue with my Dlink 820L, and when it was swapped for another router, all the issues went away.

 

[evcco]

As mentioned in my post, all firmware is up to date, and unfortunately my 30-day return option just passed.
If it is indeed a malfunctioning router I'm sure I can still get it replaced, but its not that big a deal. Like I said, I just have to reboot and everything is fine.

Its just somewhat annoying that I have to do this so I'm hoping that instead of waiting 5 minutes for the laptop to reboot, someone can pinpoint exactly what's going wrong so I can manually reset whatever it is from Windows in 5 seconds - or better yet, find a permanent fix!

 

[digitaldoc]

My only permanent fix to the exact same problem on my Dlink router was to switch to a different one! I was also just a little past the 30 day return window and got stuck with it.

 

[evcco]

Well, I'll certainly have to consider that option if I can't find a solution soon! However, the fact that there is a consistent (albeit temporary) resolution to the problem - rebooting the laptop - suggests that there is a specifc issue that can be fixed, or at least identified.

Does anyone know what type of things are typically changed/reset with regards to routers, networks, browsers, etc. when you reboot your computer?

 

[digitaldoc]

Rebooting your laptop simply resets the network connection.

 

[evcco]

Happened again. Still no luck.

Reseting the network adapter in Windows does nothing
Disabling/Reabling the network adapter does nothing
Physically unplugging from the network then replugging does nothing
Reseting the router and modem does nothing

Only restarting the computer works! Where is this magic network switch that only gets flicked when the computer reboots?? Someone must know!

 

[digitaldoc]

You can try deleting the network connection, and then reconfiguring it on the laptop, but not much better than a reboot.

 

[evcco]

After weeks of this happening, I finally gave in and got a new router as suggested...

Still got the same problem.

Other fixes that haven't panned out include:
- flushing the DNS cache
- disabling IPv6
- disabling ICS


Clearly this is the most complex and intractable problem in the history of computing, and will continue to baffle the greatest minds in this field until the end of time...





...or am I perhaps just slightly over reacting???

 

[Ralston18]

Evcco,

Sorry to see that the problem is still there.

Can you run netsh dump first thing after boot up and then again when things are working and once more immediately when connectivity is lost?

I am still working on finding out what changes to cause the problem. Trying various utility commands "before and after" but really cannot duplicate the problem with my systems (Win 7, Win 8.1, Win 10 Preview).

Just looking for any information/configuration changes that are occuring. In the meantime will go back to my "chart" and take a look at name resolution process in Vista. Thanks.

 

[digitaldoc]

Sorry to hear that the new router did not fix the issue. It also looks like your notebook is connected via Ethernet cable. Windows Vista was not great at networking, and had these types of issues. I would try another notebook with Win 7 or 8.1 and see if the issue persists. Also, try connecting via wifi and see of that changes it.

 

[evcco]

Ralston18:
Thanks, I'll PM you the results of my netsh dump

digitaldoc:
Unfortunately using another laptop isn't an option at the moment. I'll try running on wifi for a while and see if that makes a difference, though

Thanks again!

 

[digitaldoc]

See if you can have a friend with a more recent laptop come over to try it. I am thinking Vista OS has something to do this. I had a laptop with nothing but networking issues, and when I upgraded it to Win 8, the issues all went away.

 

[evcco]

Again, not an option since I'd probably have to borrow it for at least a week to wait for it to happen. And even if it is Vista I really have no plans of upgrading anyways.

My main interest at this point is simply identifying the specific problem - or, as stated before, locating that "magic network switch that only gets flicked when the computer reboots"...

 

[atilavelo]

Hi! I have the same problem. Did you guys ever solved this mistery? I'd love to know the magic trick... Thanks!