Router Crashing

[fido]

I have been having trouble with my D-Link router / Talk-talk ISP for the last couple of years but it gradually gets worse. I have struggled on with it because it only has to keep working until I move out of the cottage in Scotland.
I have 2 identical routers and both behave the same so I think it must be down to the ISP. Perhaps it somehow cuts me off when it gets too busy. Often when I receive emails it will then not work on the internet and I have to disconnect the power lead to the router and re-connect to re-boot the router. Typically this happens 5 or 6 times a day. I have unplugged and plugged the power lead so many times now that something is now dodgy, perhaps the wires are breaking near the moulded plug. I therefore don't dare unplug it at the router end and have to crawl under the desk to unplug the wallwart.
I noticed today that this time I can't surf to other sites but I can go to different pages of this site. I am in effect creating this post on a crashed router. I don't think it always works that way though. I sometimes listen to YouTube music and select a playlist, whereby it plays several videos consecutively from the same contributor. Often it fails before completing the whole playlist and the YouTube window says "An error has occurred, please try later."
I just wondered if anyone on here has these problems with the internet? It is especially annoying when I'm in bed, using the laptop to play music or get radio / TV on BBC iPlayer, as I have to get up and go in the other room to re-boot the router.

[OldTickTock]

I have 2 identical routers and both behave the same so I think it must be down to the ISP.

Not necessarily, both routers probably have similar firmware issues.

A quick scan of some internet sources reveals this to be a common feature of some D-Link models. I would go to the D-link website and download the latest firmware for it. A lot of people reported how bad they are and subsequently have moved onto a competitors device.

I have used a Netgear for many years and it's been running trouble free, bet I've just put an end to that Gulp!

Chris

[Mark Hennessy]

My DLink router has been rock-solid, apart from 1 problem caused by a failing power supply. Before you get involved with length faulty-finding at a "computer/firmware/software" level, I would urge you to test the router with a known-good PSU. In my case, I used a bench power supply. I was surprised at how much the current consumption jumped about, and this explained the problems I was getting....

Also, have a look inside the router for bulging capacitors, etc...

Of course, you could change your broadband to another ISP and get a new router as part of the deal. Personally, I have had bad dealings with TalkTalk in the past, but would highly recommend PlusNet (as do many other people on here and on the UKVRRR forum). If you tell them about me when you sign up, I'll get 25 pence off my monthly bill

I do have a Netgear router standing by as a spare, but haven't felt the need to try it yet. Oh, and make sure nothing is standing on the router - do everything you can to keep it running cool. Eventually, mine will end up in the cellar, which is always cold.

Hope you get the chance to read this

Mark

[tiv48]

i use a netgear on talktalk with no problems
rob t

[AlanBeckett]

rob,
I'm the same, although on one the ports appeared to die after a bit.
It continued to work 'wirelessly' without any problems.
Alan

[Ian E G7OLT]

Hi Rob,

Check the power supply. Like Mark, I've had the original PS that was supplied with my D-Link wireless router fail. It went low output on load, 3.8V instead of 5V and the operation of the router became erratic, slow, dropped connections, that sort of thing. I replaced it with one from CPC which lasted a couple of years until I noticed hash on a VHF radio operating in the same room. I guess a cap had failed, there was a slight burning smell from the PS when held up to the nose but otherwise no symptoms and the router worked as it should. Another replacement from CPC (a different type) and the router is still going strong. It must be 6 or so years old now.

[fido]

Thanks for the tip, Ian. Although I tried a different router I only have one power supply so it could be that. I wonder if it could be powered from a USB socket on the PC?

[Ian E G7OLT]

From memory, so I could be wrong, a USB 1.0 socket can supply 5V at up to 100mA and a USB 2.0 at up to 500mA. My router takes (again, from memory) circa 800mA to 1000mA, so a USB socket on the PC would not be up to the job.

I can't find the replacement I am using at the moment listed on the CPC website but that's where it came from. I'm attaching a picture in the hope that it might help. Watch the polarity of any replacement you buy.[attachment=2425]

[Ian E G7OLT]

I take that back. Found it!

http://cpc.farnell.com/powerpax/psk315-0...pax+SW3088

[fido]

I checked and my router is 12 volt anyway. I wonder why they use so much current?