Router/Modem Issue.

Discussion in 'Mac Accessories' started by SuperCompu2, Aug 8, 2010.

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  1. SuperCompu2, Aug 8, 2010

    SuperCompu2 macrumors 6502a

    SuperCompu2

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2006
    Location:
    MA
    #1
    So, for the past 5 months or so, any time I'm using the internet at home, the connection speeds are atrocious. I bought a new modem (which Charter quickly dispatched as being "unsupported", despite 3 techs telling me it would work), tried hard wiring my iMac to check for wifi issues, and have basically just gone out of my mind with speeds that make dial-up look favorable.

    Whenever I experience page timeouts or flat out no connectivity, I resort to the time-tested "turn Airport off/on" solution, which provides a page or two of fast connectivity before the slow downs continue. I'm beginning to think my router is on its way out, but the fact that it works sometimes makes me think it still might be the ISP.

    If power cycling my Airport card is the only way to see significant speed-ups, could my router be dying?

    (my router is a ~2004 Netgear A/B/G router)


    *edit* it took 3 Airport power cycles and 4 page refreshes just to post this. Another 2 to edit this post saying so. Ugh.
     
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  2. MisterMe, Aug 8, 2010

    MisterMe macrumors G4

    MisterMe

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2002
    Location:
    USA
    #2
    Your six year old router could be the problem. I have gone through several over the same period of time. That said, you have not given any other information that can be used to diagnose your problem.

    Questions:
    • Which model router?
    • Which model iMac?
    • Which version MacOS X?
    • What advertised Internet download/upload speed?
    • Has quality of cable connection been assured?
     
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  3. SuperCompu2, Aug 9, 2010

    SuperCompu2 thread starter macrumors 6502a

    SuperCompu2

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2006
    Location:
    MA
    #3
    Router is a WGR614.

    The problems are experienced on all computers, wireless or wired

    computers connecting include a MacBook Pro, iMac Core Duo, iBook G4, 12" PowerBook, a Ninendo Wii, and an HP Pavilion Desktop. No more than 3 or 4 are on at the same time, with the usual traffic being about 2 simultaneous users.

    Our internet package is supposed to come with 8 MB/s of bandwidth.

    Not sure what you mean about the quality of cable exactly...
     
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  4. skorpien, Aug 9, 2010

    skorpien macrumors 68020

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    #4
    Have you tried connecting directly to the modem and seeing if the speed is the same? If you get proper speeds from a direct connection, you definitely need a new router.
     
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  5. psxguru, Aug 9, 2010

    psxguru macrumors 6502a

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    #5
    Yeah and also check for any router firmware updates
     
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  6. tunerX, Aug 9, 2010

    tunerX Suspended

    tunerX

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2009
    #6
    Do you have a computer setup with both wired and wireless? If you have some form of transparent bridging enabled on an end device you will get broadcast storms on cheaper routers and switches... It will work initially and then you will get nothing.

    you can verify if you look at the lights on your router... if they are going crazy and you aren't doing anything then it could point to that.

    Unplug all of the devices and only use one connection, either wired or wireless, and do some speed tests that way.
     
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  7. SuperCompu2, Aug 10, 2010

    SuperCompu2 thread starter macrumors 6502a

    SuperCompu2

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2006
    Location:
    MA
    #7
    So last night I tried a little experiment:

    I took my MacBook Pro, and hooked it up directly to the modem through LAN. I turned on the airport card, and turned on internet sharing. I connected my iMac, my sister's iBook, and my parents' 12" PB to the MBP broadcasting the network.

    And the result?

    Not a second of latency. The internet flew like the wind.

    So, from what I can gather, I take it my 7 year old (WGR614 came out in 2003 evidently) router has finally bit the dust, and I'll be requiring a new one.

    Anyone have a good recommendation for a home router? (not an APE, little overpriced for my liking)
     
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