Network Problems

[Big-Z]

Hi, I'm new to TechSpot but I've signed up because this problem is driving me crazy.

I have a network with 3 PCs connected to a router which in turn has an ADSL modem (both D-Link) connected to it. 2 of the PCs are running XP, and 1 is running Server 2003. The network does actually work most of the time. Each PC has Zonealarm but the local network IP range is included in the trusted zone and the firewall is disabled for the trusted zone (having it enabled was a prob when I first set up network).

Quite frequently (from 10 mins to 3 hrs) the network will completely fail. Internet connectivity will be lost and I'm unable to see or connect to any of the other PCs on network. If I try to repair the connection, as the router/modem LEDs suggest they are working fine, I get an error saying the PC could not renew it's IP address. Only after I disconnect power from both modem and router and allow them to restart do I get network connectivity (only after waiting about 1 min and then repairing the connection).

The only other thing I think is worth mentioning is that this frequently occurs when using a lot of bandwidth. For example, copying files from one machine to another, and downloading off internet. Quite often if the connection is idling, there won't be any loss in connectivity (but not always).

Am I missing something obvious or is this really quite weird? Could it be a defective router?

Cheers

Big-Z

 

[Samstoned]

could be a security issue with passwords not being set to never expire
also I had a similar issue need to set all the nics to full duplex not auto negotiate
cards have to match this setting if 1 card is a cheapy you can't do it
since I have setup this last I am never disconnected or slow network pops right up
I can access my server files from workstation faster than from the server
no just kidding

 

[Big-Z]

Thanks for reply. Gonna try it out now as they were all set on auto-negotiate.

 

[Big-Z]

It's worked, no network probs for over 24hrs, nice one, I'm forever in your debt... this problem was seriously driving me crazy!

 

[nitemares]

Hello I'm a newbie here!! I was wondering how do i change the auto negotiate, i can't seem to find it, is it on the router setup page or somewhere on my computer. TIA
I have the same problem and i tried everything to fix it

ETA: i also noticed that it mostly does that after screen savor becomes active, i removed the screen savor and will see if it works.

 

[Nodsu]

It is in the properties of your network card. See Device Manager.

 

[nitemares]

Thanks, found it. i think i found the problem, it wasn't with the auto negotiate, i found out that it happens when the screen saver is on and after going to the card properties i found that it was set to "Allow the computer to turn it off to save power" in Power Management Tab. So my guess is when the computer sleeps (screen saver) it shuts down the card. Does this make any sense?? cause ever since i deactivated the screen saver its been working perfectly...