It comes on and off

my inter net goes down from time to time. the network is connectet it just that like every other day the internet just randomly dies on me i have a fairly new D-link DIR-655 a motorolla vonage box for my internet phone and the internet comes in through a cable nto a a black webstar box. could thid be faulty hardware?

 

Probably not.
First thing to try would be updating drivers on the network adapter and see if there is an update to the firmware for the router.
Also what OS are you using - XP or Vista or Win7?

 

the whole family is running on windows vista home premium. two with 64 bit 3 with 32 bit. how would you update the drivers, from the computer?

 

When you say the internet goes out, does it go out for all the comps at the same time or is it a specific comp that loses the connection?
If all go out at the same time, there is a probability of a problem with the router, modem or ISP service.
If only one comp loses connection at a time then you are down to a specific problem with that comp.

Updating drivers is pretty easy. You can either go to the support/download page from the manufacturer of the comp or go to the manufacturer support page of the network adapter. You'll need to know the comp model if you go to the comp manufacturer.
Down load the driver to your desktop and click on the file to execute the update generally. (There may be specific instructions on the download page for driver updating so look for those also.)

In either case, go to Start orb > Control Panel > Device Manager >(May need to Continue for the UAC prompt) > Hit the + by network adapters > Right click the adapter you are connected with and choose Properties.
This will give you the manufacturer info and driver info. (Wired connections will have Ethernet Controller in the description. Wireless adapters will generally say wireless somewhere in the description.)
When properties open up, the General tab gives you manufacturer info and the Driver tab gives you the installed version.

 

my drivers were already up to date and and every comp in my house would go down.