Belkin Wireless Router Problem - SOLVED

Repeated below is the text of my original problem with a Belkin
F5D7230-4 wireless g router. Basic issue was the dropping of Internet
connectivity (connection from the cable modem to the router) at frequent
intermittent times.

After much troubleshooting, the problem turned out to be a defective
Comcast supplied, Motorola SB4200 cable modem. This was the last thing I
tried since Comcast refused to swap it out when I mentioned the word
"router".

Anyway, I purchased an RCA DCM315R cable modem and all the problems went
away, As a bonus, my upload speeds increased by 20%.

I would like to point out the following:

1. I bought the router at Staples who graciously allowed me to extend
the return policy form 14 to 60 days so I could check things out. They
also swapped out a router prior to my discovering the real problem.

2. Belkin provided outstanding support. It was always quick and easy to
get thru to tech support. Furthermore, they sent me a 3rd router on
which they performed a complete burn-in and testing. It was only after
this router also exhibited the problem that I finally got around to
swapping out the cable modem (Belkin had also implied that this could be
causing the problem).

3. This could all of gone much quicker if Comcast would have allowed me
to swap the modem - they repeatedly refused. Comcast can KMA.

Hope this helps anyone else with a similar problem.

Harvey

> Have sent this to several different forums with minimal response. Hopefully, someone here may have some insight on this or a similar setup:
>
>
> I have just purchased and set up a Belkin wireless g router (f5d7230-4). I have a cable modem (motorola sb4200) feeding the router and a desktop (Dimension 8300, win xp pro) connected to the router via a wired connection. My ISP is Comcast
>
> My laptop (Dell I7500, win 98se) uses the Belkin wireless pc card (f5d7010). Also, I updated the router firmware to the latest version posted on the Belkin site.
>
> I have MAC filtering enabled, WEP enabled and am not broadcasting my SSID. Also have Zone Alarm Free with each networked computer in the others trusted zone.
>
> This setup appears to work correctly with one exception - the router will occasionally will lose the connection to the internet ( the "connected" led starts flashing indicating that the router is attempting to connect to the internet, the light should be solid. This happens even when only the wired desktop computer is on. Appears to happen every 20 to 45 minutes, sometimes as long as 2 hours.). Interestingly enough, the wireless link is consistently good.
>
> I have checked the cables for secure connections and have even changed the g channel from channel 11 to channel 1 just in case it was an interference problem (although I would not expect this to affect the wired side of the router). I have no 2.4ghz phones and the microwave does not seem to interfere when it's on. However, the router is near an outside wall and I guess it's possible for outside stuff to leak in (which is why I tried switching channels).
>
> Two additional points - the router will reconnect to the internet within a 5 or so seconds after it has dropped the connection. Also the cable modem is still properly connected to the internet during the dropout.
>
>
> Has anyone seen this before? Any ideas as to what may be causing this? Bad firmware, bad router? Any fixes?
>
> Thanks,
> Harvey

Harvey Gratt <(E-Mail Removed)> writes:

> 1. I bought the router at Staples who graciously allowed me to extend
> the return policy form 14 to 60 days so I could check things out. They
> also swapped out a router prior to my discovering the real problem.

Cool.

> 2. Belkin provided outstanding support. It was always quick and easy
> to get thru to tech support. Furthermore, they sent me a 3rd router on
> which they performed a complete burn-in and testing. It was only after
> this router also exhibited the problem that I finally got around to
> swapping out the cable modem (Belkin had also implied that this could
> be causing the problem).

I can second this one. Their tech support was not only respnsive but
accurate to a KVM cabling problem I had.

> 3. This could all of gone much quicker if Comcast would have allowed
> me to swap the modem - they repeatedly refused. Comcast can KMA.

Agreed. You have play games with them--never admit you have a router
to them otherwise they want to shovel you into "not our problem" land
quicker than you can say "clueless level 1 support."

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/

I should also mention that I bought the RCA cable modem at Radio Shack.
I explained the issue and requested that if it would not solve my
problem I would want to return it. They agreed to this arrangement as a
"customer service" since they were looking ahead to repeat business.
Another respectable company.

Unfortunately, I'm stuck with Comcast (no DSL in my area).

Harvey

Todd H. wrote:

> Harvey Gratt <(E-Mail Removed)> writes:
>
>
>>1. I bought the router at Staples who graciously allowed me to extend
>>the return policy form 14 to 60 days so I could check things out. They
>>also swapped out a router prior to my discovering the real problem.
>
>
> Cool.
>
>
>>2. Belkin provided outstanding support. It was always quick and easy
>>to get thru to tech support. Furthermore, they sent me a 3rd router on
>>which they performed a complete burn-in and testing. It was only after
>>this router also exhibited the problem that I finally got around to
>>swapping out the cable modem (Belkin had also implied that this could
>>be causing the problem).
>
>
> I can second this one. Their tech support was not only respnsive but
> accurate to a KVM cabling problem I had.
>
>
>>3. This could all of gone much quicker if Comcast would have allowed
>>me to swap the modem - they repeatedly refused. Comcast can KMA.
>
>
> Agreed. You have play games with them--never admit you have a router
> to them otherwise they want to shovel you into "not our problem" land
> quicker than you can say "clueless level 1 support."
>
> Best Regards,