Question: How can I know if my recent problems are due to router or pc's network interface?

Here's my problem, starting about two weeks or so ago, my computer has been hanging in the loading of page, checking of email, etc. Hanging like it was old 56k modem but worse since those at least loaded slowly. However, here, it wouldn't do anything for a minute or so, then work fine for 5 minutes, then back again, and so on and so on.

At first, it happened a few times upon startin up my pc, then was fine for the rest of my session. It seems to have gotten progressively worse, although that may be me simply getting more aggravated. Still, I do think it is getting more and more common.

My set up is as follows: cable internet service going to cable modem (motorola), then to Vonage VoIP device, then to a NetGear 8 port fvs318 router. All hardwired cat-5e cabling. The PC I use all the time is an older dell dimension 8250, stock. The other 7 ports are for devices sometimes used (like a notebook from work) or for future use like a kids room computer. I haven't tries the notebook, so dunno if it is limited to my Dell or what. But, I do know the cable service has always worked and nothing had been fiddled with there. My cable tv works fine, as does on demand there. My vonage VoIP also works without a hitch, as has always.

So I don't think its the cabel service. Which leaves a problem at the router or the pc itself. How do I tell which? COuld be the Dell, which must be 4 years old now. Or could be the netgear router, but that's only 2 years old. I've never had a problem until now with either.

One more wrinkle, I just hooked up a netgear network HDD enclosure (SC101) maybe one week ago, but after I first had these problems. These hang-ups seem to have gotten worse once I installed the network hdd device, but again it is more likely me noticing the problem more. THe network hdd device was hooked up since I'm ready to build my own rig, move the dell to a secondary location in the house, and buy a kids computer, thus the network hdd to be able to share photos, etc.

any help appreciated, its driving me nuts. With the dropouts, it took me 10 minutes tongiht to simply go to my home page, transfer and check out front pages of tomshardware, and then mosey over to forums, llogin and post this question. Arrghhh!

curt j.

Try a different computer for awhile (your work laptop?). If the problem goes away, it was your computer. If not, it is something upstream -- the router, the modem, the vonage device, or your service.

I would suggest trying different cables first, then trying a different network interface card, the bypassing the router and connecting directly to the modem.

evongugg is on the right path.

There are numerous variables you mentioned:

1. ISP
2. Cable to your house/wall outlet
3. Motorola cable modem
4. Ethernet cable
5. VOIP device
6. Ethernet cable
7. Router
8. Ethernet cable
9. PC

Why is the VOIP device first? does it affect performance if you put it behind the firewall? You are most likely doube-NAT'ing your connection by doing this if that VOIP device has a built in firewall/switch. Try swapping your setup to eliminate 1 link in the chain. then your VOIP would be parallel in the chain to your PC if you plug it into 1 of the 8 ports.

Try setting up a few continuous PING responses:
1. to your router's LAN IP
2. to your router's WAN IP
3. to your VOIP LAN IP (only applies if you leave things plugged in the way they are)
4. to your VOIP WAN IP (only applies if you leave things plugged in the way they are)
5. to your ISP (find something such as router or web server that they host that is pingable)
6. to a website like apple.com or google.com

watch to see if any of the PING responses drop when you are having trouble with web access.

Also you could just plug your laptop or PC straight into the cable modem and see if the trouble continues.

I should open my own home networking business.