My modem is driving me nuts

  • Thread starter Mike Rotch
  • 12 comments
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Mike Rotch

Mike Rotch

Aluminium Overcast
Staff Emeritus
13,827
Australia
Down under
I've got a Belkin 796D modem and its exhibiting two tendencies which are making me mad:

1) It will randomly lose connection for 4-5 secs before establishing the connection (so you'll be surfing, go to a new page and have "url could not be found" - because the modem has dropped out)

2) The tray icon keeps on coming up with a pop-up bubble saying "the password on your Belkin modem has been changed. Please click to rejoin". If i click it, a box comes up saying "you have rejoined - close". As soon as i close it, the bubble comes up again! If I leave it be, the bubble stays up for 5 secs, fades, and then comes up again :mad:

I've rebooted the modem, unplugged it, re-entered the password and tried to update firmware, but nothing works. Argh!
 
How old is the modem? Belkin doesn't show it on their site, or I just can't search for crap.

It sounds like you've done about all you can but if you're using wi-fi, try changing the channel. If that doesn't help, for peace of mind, $50 for a new modem might be money well spent.
 
Normally when connected to a router, I don't have any Belkin/Netgear/D-Link etc icon in the system tray. I always steer clear of using their software and just configure manually. I'm not saying this is the problem but it might be worth setting a static IP for yourself (if it's a desktop) and removing all belkin software from the computer.
 
Does it feel hotter than usual? Usually when modems or routers are going bad they'll be running hot.
 
In Australia belkins have a lifetime warrenty, you just need a invoice that you bought it and go back to where you go it.

Where did you get it if you don't have the invoice?
 
@TB: Here is the modem (and stellar review) http://reviews.cnet.com/routers/belkin-surf-wireless-router/4505-3319_7-34027031.html

@DQuan: I'm a tech-noob. I have no idea how to do that and as I rely so much on the interwebs at home, if I bork it up, I'm i na spot of bother.

@ Eric: Nope, feels normal. Sometimes it happens after like 30 mins of operation...:grumpy:

@Gray: Didnt know that. I got it at....JB I think. I have the invoice somewhere. You sure about the lifetime warranty? that would be a good last resort.
 
Well at harvey norman i am told they have a lifetime(this is most likely due to our store being able to send the units back to belkin even if they are super old) but best check with the store you got it from.
 
Mike Rotch
1) It will randomly lose connection for 4-5 secs before establishing the connection (so you'll be surfing, go to a new page and have "url could not be found" - because the modem has dropped out)
Click to expand...

You're connected through Wifi, uh? Are you using Vista or Windows 7? I've always had that when using either of the OS + Firefox. Yet, Linux + Firefox never caused such issues to me. I tend to believe that it's somehow related to Windows messing with the wifi connection in it's attempts to save energy. :)
 
Speaking of Vista and Wi-Fi

Vista can not connect to WPA-PSK networks for some stupid reason, it has been like this during the vista beta and RC and it still exists even after 2 service packs.
 
Vista and Wifi is the biggest mess that I've ever seen, speaking about software.

My girlfriend has to restart her machine every 5-6 hours since she's unable to use any browser - yet, ICQ, MSN etc. are still working fine. Thanks, Vista! :P
 
Grayfox
Vista can not connect to WPA-PSK networks for some stupid reason, it has been like this during the vista beta and RC and it still exists even after 2 service packs.
Click to expand...
Strange, been using Vista here in combination with WPA-PSK and WPA2 for several years without a problem.

Windows 7 is miles better than Vista though.
 
Keep in mind that you can change the "keep alive" value in Firefox, that might help you with issue 1 as well.

To do so, type "about:config" in your address bar and change the value of

network.http.keep-alive.timeout

to, let's say, 6000.
 
I would honestly get rid of the Belkin and get a different modem/wireless router. I got this for my Uncle to replace a crappy modem provided by the ISP. The modem comes with wireless B and G so it will be fine for a slow connection(under 10Mb/s download speed). The modem comes with a setup CD and guides you through the steps(so ask your ISP for all the info settings they can tell you!). It's pretty easy to set up when you have the correct information or you will end up like me spending 4 hours just to get the thing connected to the internet.
 

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