Lose Internet Connectivity

I'm not sure whether or not this is a software or a hardware issue. My computer runs Windows 7. Periodically, my internet goes away. The lights on the modem don't change (all 3 remain lit and steady), and the lights on the wireless router show no change, either. Whenever this happens the icon in the systray showing network access shows a yellow triangle, and my browser no longer connects. If I reboot, the network comes back to connectivity. I use a NIC card with coax cable to my wireless router from my desktop. My incoming cable goes into a cable modem and from there into the wireless router.

 

If you haven't already tried this troubleshooting step it's worth doing.
Go to DEVICE MANAGER ( https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc754081(v=ws.11).aspx ) then find the entry called 'Network Adapters' right click on the network adapter that applies to your connection> properties > driver > now choose one at a time the two adapters (one will be for WiFi and the other for Ethernet, wired connection) and for each separately choose 'update driver' - you must do this while you are connected to the internet.

 

Coax cable? Did you mean to say Ethernet cable?

https://vrzn.i.lithium.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/17460i00864336652F52B6?v=1.0

 

Yes of course.............Ethernet cable from modem to NIC card.. My bad.

 

First, I have to add that I have one (1) virtual XP machine on this computer. This may be important for you to know.

There are three network adapters listed in device manager:
1. Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
2.VMware virtual ethernet adapter for VMnet1
3. VMware virtual ethernet adaptor for VMnet8

The fact that there are TWO adapters for the virtual machine has bothered me for a long time, but because I don't know whether they are both needed, nor which to remove, then I have left it alone. If I can do anything to clean this up, I'd appreciate any advice.

There is no Network Adapter for WiFi that I can find.

 

EDIT: Ah, I see that the VM has connectivity to the internet as well as to my wireless printer. This explains the two netrork adaptors for the VM. Correct?

 

Your problem is not related to the VM setup, which is normal. Do as MaxTurner has advised and update the driver for the Realtek controller. You do not have wifi on that computer so you can ignore that bit of his advice.

 

All three "network adapters" have drivers that are up to date, according to the search function.

 

OK, then carefully check the physical connections from the NIC to the router. Is the Ethernet cable sound and the connectors too? Do you have an alternative cable you could try? You can completely ignore the VM devices, they are not involved at all with your PC's internet connection.

 

From time to time I experience the exact same issue. If connectivity isn't restored within 5 minutes, I restart and everything is back to normal.

It's called a 'dropped' connection.
Blame your ISP.

 

It's not a dropped connection, the problem is between NIC and router.

 

I occasionally get the same- I find turning router off and on again, and allowing it to restart sorts it out - same as TV does, sometimes when the wife wants to change aa program, and it will do nothing- Works for me.

 

Connections look OK. The wires are never disturbed. Might it be the NIC itself? The motherboard? Software issue?

Can someone recommend a check or tests I might perform while the problem is occurring.

Thanks.

 

If the router has more than one Ethernet port Joe, try a different one. You might also try updating the NIC driver for which I'd recommend Driver Booster.

 

Thanks. That great program found 12 old drivers, including the NIC card, which I updated. I haven't switched the port in the router and will watch to see if anything changes with the updated drivers, first. If no change I'll try moving the ethernet port on the router.

 

Let's hope we've nailed it

 

That driver booster is so good, in my opinion, too. Now it has found the NICCcard, you should be o.k- but update as much as you can while on Ethernet.