D-Link router hangs WLAN & Internet

I have a D-Link DI-624+, 2 desktop PCs hardwired and 2 laptops connected
wirelessly. One desktop runs Win 98, all other machines run XP Pro. I
have a DSL internet connection shared via the router. I have set up all
PCs, configured firewalls etc and all works fine - for a while.
Frequently, and with no pattern that I can detect, the network hangs as
follows: Internet connection is lost to all computers, the wireless network
has been turned off as far as the laptops are concerned but the hardwired
desktops can still see each other. I cannot access the D-Link control
panel webpage. The only way to fix it is to power down the router and
power back up again, then everything springs back to life - for a while.
During the fault condition, all LEDs seem to be operating as normal and the
2 indicating Ethernet connections flicker in step, suggesting network
traffic between the 2 desktops.



I can detect no other WiFi networks in range and the cordless phone does not
run on 2.4 MHz (lock ups normally occur when the phone is not in use). I
am pretty sure that the mains supply and internet connection are stable and
the unit doesn't seem to get too hot. It has firmware V.2.5 so I tried
downloading the most recent upgrade (V.2.07.0047) from the D-Link support
site but when I browse to it from the control panel as per the instructions,
I get an error message "The chosen file is not a firmware file" - I tried
deleting and re-downloading, same result.



This is getting to be very frustrating!



Where do I start to look for the cause of this - any suggestions please?
I write software for a living but am no network expert!



TIA

Malcolm

"Malcolm" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>Frequently, and with no pattern that I can detect, the network hangs as
>follows: Internet connection is lost to all computers, the wireless network
>has been turned off as far as the laptops are concerned but the hardwired
>desktops can still see each other. I cannot access the D-Link control
>panel webpage. The only way to fix it is to power down the router and
>power back up again, then everything springs back to life - for a while.

Are you running any file sharing software? I've seen Azerus cause
many SOHO routers to fall over...

"William P.N. Smith" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Malcolm" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>Frequently, and with no pattern that I can detect, the network hangs as
>>follows: Internet connection is lost to all computers, the wireless
>>network
>>has been turned off as far as the laptops are concerned but the hardwired
>>desktops can still see each other. I cannot access the D-Link control
>>panel webpage. The only way to fix it is to power down the router and
>>power back up again, then everything springs back to life - for a while.
>
> Are you running any file sharing software? I've seen Azerus cause
> many SOHO routers to fall over...

I do have Sharezaa running on the Win 98 desktop at the moment, but I still
have the problem even when that software is not running and the Win 98 PC is
turned off. Thanks for the suggestion!

"Malcolm" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>I do have Sharezaa running on the Win 98 desktop at the moment, but I still
>have the problem even when that software is not running and the Win 98 PC is
>turned off. Thanks for the suggestion!

Could it be overheating? It is out in the open with lots of airflow
around it, or stacked up with a bunch of other things, or buried
under/behind computers or paperwork?

On Sat, 1 Apr 2006 13:19:52 +1000, "Malcolm"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:


snip....................snip

I am having exactly the same problem with a D-Link 624S.
D-Link could not solve this issue in the last two weeks and I will
return this Router and the 3 Network Adapters to the retailer on
Monday.
Sorry could not help you but at looks like this is the only way for
me.

BTW: no Firmware available for 624s yet.

Regards
Helmut

William P.N. Smith <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>"Malcolm" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>I do have Sharezaa running on the Win 98 desktop at the moment, but I still
>>have the problem even when that software is not running and the Win 98 PC is
>>turned off. Thanks for the suggestion!
>
>Could it be overheating? It is out in the open with lots of airflow
>around it, or stacked up with a bunch of other things, or buried
>under/behind computers or paperwork?

Yep. See:
http://www.angelfire.com/az3/evader99/
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14555427
I don't know about shielding the internal antenna cable with aluminium
foil as a fix, but I do know the DI-624 rev C1 does overheat. Methinks
the added heatsink on the processor is all that's required.

There was also a web page where someone added a small cooling fan, but
I can't find it.

Rule of thumb:
If you can't hold your thumb on the component, it's too hot.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

hstamm <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>return this Router and the 3 Network Adapters to the retailer

That's my favorite D-Link repair strategy as well. There are too many
quality vendors to get hung up on Duh-Link...

"William P.N. Smith" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> hstamm <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>return this Router and the 3 Network Adapters to the retailer
>
> That's my favorite D-Link repair strategy as well. There are too many
> quality vendors to get hung up on Duh-Link...

Thanks for the suggestions folks - I have put up with this problem for ages
since a reboot was no big deal as long as I was sitting next to the culprit,
but now I operate mainly wirelessly and I have added a Roku Soundbridge to
play music and internet radio via a WiFi link on my sound system, so the
hangups are becoming annoying to say the least. I do live in the tropics
(North Queensland) and I guess that heat may well be a problem. The unit
stands on end with plenty of free air around it but without a fan and/or a
decent heatsinnk, tropical air might not be cool enough to keep a
poorly-sited processor cool. I will spend just a little more time on
arranging better cooling but if that fails, I will bin it and start again -
NOT with a D-Link! Any suggestions for a RELIABLE alternative?

Cheers
Malcolm

"Malcolm" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>NOT with a D-Link! Any suggestions for a RELIABLE alternative?

Ah, now I know why mine is happy, I've disabled the WiFi.

I'd go with Linksys WRT54G, I've installed a ton of them at client
sites, and rately had a problem. On theother tentacle:

http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2006/0..._router_chart/

Has a chart on page 2 about throughput, which might make me look at
alternatives.