<Livebox Issues? ~ Weird intermittent non-connection problem - any ideas?
JYorks
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:38 pm
Joined: 03 Nov 2008Posts: 9Location: York
Before we brave the Orange non-help desk (had enough past experience to use them as a last resort!), I wondered if anyone might have any ideas as to where we could start identifying our current problem. I will try to summarise - please excuse me not using much technical detail.
Our set-up = Livebox connected by wire to desktop PC running on Windows XP). Two laptops (running Windows Vista) connect wirelessly to the Livebox.
The problem -
- When Livebox/desktopPC first switched on, connection to the internet as normal. All software (IE, Outlook Express, MSN, Skype etc) operates. After a period (varying from a few minutes to a few hours), usable internet connection disappears.
- When usable connection disappears, all correct lights are on on the Livebox, and the computer says it is connected to the internet, but no software/application will connect.
- Every now and then, internet connection will become briefly usable again - a few emails will come through, maybe a few web pages can be accessed, then all use is lost again.
- At some point, normally late evening, everything is back to normal again and we get uninterrupted internet use until everything is switched off for the night.
- During the whole of this time, both laptops are able to access the Livebox and use the internet without any problems.
So, it seems to us that, for some reason, at some times, the PC and the Livebox just aren't "talking to each other". The weirdness is the way it comes and goes without, as far as we know, any reason for it. We haven't identified any programme or application that we are using or not using that co-incides with the pattern of the problem.
So, my question is (and thankyou if you've read this far) - does anyone have any bright ideas as to where we could look for a possible culprit/solution?
Having seen this thread - http://www.orangeproblems.co.u...php?t=4993 - and looked up what, UPnP is, I'm wondering if there is a link. We have just installed a new printer. It is connected by wire to the PC but we ahve been accessing it from the laptops too, via the Livebox. Our current problems began at around the same time, although have no link to whether the printer is being used or not, but could it's connection have triggered some problem with the UPnP stuff, or am I barking up the wrong tree and it's purely co-incidence?
So, it seems to us that, for some reason, at some times, the PC and the Livebox just aren't "talking to each other". The weirdness is the way it comes and goes without, as far as we know, any reason for it.
So, it seems to us that, for some reason, at some times, the PC and the Livebox just aren't "talking to each other". The weirdness is the way it comes and goes without, as far as we know, any reason for it.
Could it be a faulty network card in the PC ?
Edit : or the ethernet cable ?
Thanks for your reply - all advice appreciated.
Would either of those come and go the way our problem has? Today, I get useable connection for about half an hour after I switch on, then nothing unless I power down and back again; yesterday, I had connection all day until early evening when it disappeared completely for the rest of the day. Throughout this, both laptops are fine.
I assume I can easily check the ethernet cable by buying a new one and trying it? How would I check if it's the network card?
Firstly -Have you tried plugging the cable into the 2nd ethernet port on the Livebox?(apologies if you have already tried this) Have you done a factory reset of the Livebox? (again apologies if already tried!)
When you lose the internet connection can you still see the Livebox log in page at 192.168.1.1 from the desktop PC ?
If not then it sounds like the network card is on the way out in the PC or the cable is damaged - can you borrow/change the cable to eliminate that as a possibility?
If the network connection is direct off the motherboard then you would need to install a seperate NIC - If you have a NIC already then you would need to change it - they can be bought for a few pounds from Maplins or PC World.
If you can see the login page then I'm at a bit of a loss - sorry!!
_________________ Formerly Orange and sad
Now PlusNet and glad!!
Regards Dave
Firstly -Have you tried plugging the cable into the 2nd ethernet port on the Livebox?(apologies if you have already tried this) Have you done a factory reset of the Livebox? (again apologies if already tried!)
Not tried either of these yet - wasn't aware you could do the first. Will try both at the weekend, if not sooner.
brewerdave wrote:
When you lose the internet connection can you still see the Livebox log in page at 192.168.1.1 from the desktop PC ?
If not then it sounds like the network card is on the way out in the PC or the cable is damaged - can you borrow/change the cable to eliminate that as a possibility?
No, when we lose connection, we cannot see the Livebox page you mention. I'm happy to buy a new cable (they're not too expensive) to see if this is the problem, once we've tried using the other port etc).
I've no idea where the network card is located (OH might know - will ask him later) - hoping it doesn't come to that!
Thanks so much for your help so far. I'll let you know how we get on.
Thanks so much for the helpful advice. In the end it seems to have been as simple as a dodgy socket - plugging into the other port on the Livebox seems to have fixed it. As OH set up the Livebox, I wasn't even aware there was a second port we could use, so thanks for the pointer. I'm just glad it wasn't something more technical.
When OH installed the new printer a few days ago (just before all these problems began), he moved the Livebox around a bit, so this may have been the kiss of death for the port we were using. If we move the Livebox again, we will make sure it is unplugged!
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