MAJOR PROBLEM: Computer disconnects from Internet, multiple IP adress issue

[Ambrocious]

How can I test to see if the router is going bad? Is there any software I can get that will tell me that?

[fortheloveof***]

When assigning a static ip the router has to have addresses available to do this. Sometimes a router assigns the whole range to the DHCP and they will conflict since you should use a Static IP outside of this range.

In your router find the DHCP settings and see what the existing range is. if might be 2-100 or 2-254 for example. To be honest in a home network you can really dial it back and only assign maybe 10 or so (3 ish per person and then some for guests) in the range so it will be something like DHCP range 192.168.1.2 - 20. This way all the other addresses are free for manual assingment. Different routers handle DHCP/Static differently. What i said is just good practice and helps in trouble shooting.

Purge / Clear your current DHCP leases.

The set your PC as 192.168.1.21 as a Static non DHCP IP. Then it should stick.

Assign your DNS servers at the router level. Use Comodo or Google.

Then use 192.168.1.1 (the same as the default gateway i.e. the router address ) as the DNS server. This is basically telling windows to ask the router for this info.

Thinking about it, your DHCP range could be set too small.

[sirri]

How can I test to see if the router is going bad? Is there any software I can get that will tell me that?

Might be check your LAN with LAN Speed Test or inSSIder. Both are freeware.

If I remember correctly, your router has button "reconnect" on top ,right ? did you try to push it ?

[Ambrocious]

UPDATE:

So...the internet is still going down. I have stopped recieving the message that my IP is the same as another person's but now my friend is starting to get the message that his IP is the same as another on the network. Is this maybe malicious in nature? Do you think Im under some sort of attack?

[Gabben]

UPDATE:

So...the internet is still going down. I have stopped recieving the message that my IP is the same as another person's but now my friend is starting to get the message that his IP is the same as another on the network. Is this maybe malicious in nature? Do you think Im under some sort of attack?

Yeah it's possible. Check your computers with antiviruses.

[fortheloveof***]

You need to troubleshoot more. I know that sounds corny and unhelpful, but only if not approached correctly.

You need to Isolate and troubleshoot your network based devices. Remove and much automation from the setup as you can. I doubt you are "under attack". You are more likely compromised internally and that is inviting connections, trouble from the outside. Locking this down is the best way to find and deal with the problematic device or devices

Set all devices to static ( DHCP = automation ) or boot any that don't comply until trouble shooting is done.

The mobile devices could be compromised so if you can, set up Wireless isolation or look at hardening your setup in regards to wireless network activity internally. Change network sharing policy, auto run features, anything that can let you be comprised through the automation of tasks.

Harden the router setup if those options are available, turn of DHCP altogether if you can.

Then seek to safe mode / scan devices and eliminate causes and devices while systematically hardening them as you proceed.

Either way you will recover from malware or realize your router is on the blink via properly troubleshooting.

[Ambrocious]

It's going to be nearly impossible to scan the other computers since they refuse to stop playing world of warcraft long enough to swat a fly on the wall (there isn't any flies, just saying). Last night I attempted to do windows update on my friends computer and he complained so badly that it would take too long that I got pissed and left.

[mara-]

I'm pretty sure that you would solve problems by configuring static IP on all computers, but you don't want to listen to me.

Cheers ;)

[fortheloveof***]

if you disable DHCP in the router then reboot it no computer will reconnect unless you assign a manual IP to it (this is actually a good thing to do in general but lacks the convenience of automated connections)

So do that then when they cry tell them you have to change " insert confusing term" and then go and assign a manual IP as already shown in this thread.

If you set the DNS servers in the router the PC config is like this (It also means all your users will be using secure DNS servers shutting down one potential problem)

IP 192.168.1. 4 . 5 . 6 etc ( start from 4 then work up

Subnet 255.255.255.0

Default gateway 192.168.1.1 (the IP of the actual router goes here

Use manual DNS

Primary DNS 192.168.1.1 (the IP of the actual router goes here

Secondary can left blank if the router is handling the DNS.

It will take 2 minutes per device and should also fix the "symptom" you have been dealing with.