Router stopped working

[Dawg]

I use a Linksys cable modem, router and WAP - makes for a nice looking little network stack. We have two desktops connected to the router and a laptop that connects via the WAP, or alternatively via the 4th router port. The modem is naturally plugged into the router. The WAP info doesn't factor into the story but I included it for completeness.

Last night we lost our internet connection. This happens occasionally and is usually resolved by powering down the cable modem for a minute and reseting it followed by a quick ipconfig /renew. However, this didn't work last night. I tried it again, just in case I didn't power down long enough to clear the modem, and I got a connection - briefly. I then lost it again about a minute later. It was late and I assumed our cable provider was having trouble with the service, so I decided to leave it for this morning.

In the morning, same problem. I hooked my computer directly to the cable modem and quickly got an IP from our ISP (Comcast, for the record). I hooked the computer backed to the router and tried locating other machines on the network. No luck. The router didn't seem to be routing!

I tried powering down the router - didn't help. I tried pressing the recessed 'reset' button on the front of the router - didn't help.

To my knowledge, we have never updated the firmware on the router. The router is a Linksys BEFSR41 and we've been using it for over a year with no problems.

Any advice?

Dawg

[MASH]

If you plug your laptop straight into the telco connection (bypass the routers), does it work then?

[Dawg]

If you plug your laptop straight into the telco connection (bypass the routers), does it work then?
I have plugged my desktop directly into the cable modem and it gets the internet fine (hence I am posting here, yay!). I assume all of the machines would do so, so I didn't try plugging them all in. None of the computers appear to be able to see eachother over the router. None of the computers can connect to the cable modem over the router either.

The only thing different between when it last worked properly and when the trouble began is that we hooked up Tivo in the other room. The Tivo uses the cable as the signal source but does not use the cable internet connection - instead updating via the phone line. Regardless, it has no connection to the router and shouldn't have affected the local network at all (AFAIK).

Dawg

[Chairman_Kaga]

Probably got hit with a power spike the way it sounds.

When you plug PC into the Linksys, can you web browse to 192.168.1.1 (or is that 198.162.1.1? :( ) If not, you cannot even attempt to upgrade the FW.

Methinks Router = toast.
Bummer

[Rogue]

Strange... My linksys router died last night as well, bought a netgear to replace it.

-Rogue

[AnalogKid]

Probably got hit with a power spike the way it sounds.

When you plug PC into the Linksys, can you web browse to 192.168.1.1 (or is that 198.162.1.1? :( ) If not, you cannot even attempt to upgrade the FW.

Methinks Router = toast.
Bummer

Usually, it's 192.168.1.1. If you never reset the admin password, you leave the username blank, linksys is the password when hitting the router via a browser.

Can you ping any of the other machines on the network? Can you ping 192.168.1.1?

The other thing is, did you plug anything new into the router? Make sure it is not plugged into the uplink jack.

[ignus]

i have a linksys router/switch that ive been using for a year or so as well, and i only ever updated the firmware one time and that was when i first got it. ive never had problems like you are experiencing.

from a troubleshooting standpoint, plugging your pc directly into the modem was a great first step. and since that works, then that proves that your router is fubar'ed. problem solved. go buy yourself a new router buddy ;)

[Dawg]

Just for the record...

Ended up getting a new router. Upgraded from BEFSR41 to the BEFSX41. It had more stickers on the box too. :P

Dawg

[MadSci]

Same thing happened to me awhile back. I plugged the cable directly to the PC and all was well, that basically proved that the router was busted. I got a D-link, had tons of trouble with that router and ended up getting another Linksys, now all is well again :)