Keep losing my connection........

Hi, I keep losing my internet connection when online. I use a DSL modem.

When I lose my connection, a pop-up msg appears on the menu bar saying 'Local Area Connection 2' a loose conmnection and keeps doing this every 15 mins or so. Each time the msg appears, it re-connects.

Is there anything in my network settings that I need to check/change?

Can anyone help me?

Thanks

 

If it's a wireless network it's fairly normal for this to occur and there is very little that can be done besides trying to get closer to the access point.

If it's a wired network, it's most likely caused by a bad cable or the NIC itself. So simply try replacing them to see if they work. Both cable and networks cards are really cheap (less then $10ea).

 

Not to undermine coco's suggestion as it is perfectly valid and reasonable but, before replacing hardware and spending money, I WOULD check your network settings, just to be sure. Do you have a static IP or a dynamically assigned one?

 

There are plenty of things that can be done to try to stop a wireless network from disconnecting a lot. For example:
change the channel
change the preamble type
disable any speed enhancing modes on your router
choose the appropriate mode depending on the type of wireless clients connecting - mixed (b and g), b only, or g
update the firmware on the router
update the drivers for the NIC (also applies to wired connections - try this)
use a different wireless client

If you have a wired connection (which is likely the case) try these things first:
- Reinstall your NIC using the most recent drivers from the manufacturer's site
- Set the Speed/Duplex mode to 10 Full. If this doesn't work, choose 10 half.
- Set a static IP address on your NIC (if possible, this depends on how your modem is configured and or how your ISP's server works)
- Try a different LAN port on your modem/router, if possible

If none of this works you need to determine where the issue is. A new cable would be the first thing I check, another NIC (better if it's another PC you KNOW has a stable NIC), or it could even be your modem or router. Next time you see that the cable is "unplugged", check the light quickly on your modem/router, and compare them to what they look like when it's functioning. Your router or modem could be rebooting itself. It could also be a faulty LAN port on the modem that is causing it.

If you're still stuck, let us know how many PCs are connected; if you have any type of router in place or if it's a direct connection to the modem; and your operating system.

 

Hi,

This connection is not wireless. Not sure about the IP comment but I'm on AOL so I think that my IP changes every time. Is this what you mean.

The comment about the led lights. normally there are two, one indicating power and the other for line.

When the missing network connection message appears, the line led goes out then re-connects itself.

On this basis, do you think that it may be the cable?

Thanks

 

This depends. That "line" light may mean the connection between the modem and the computer, or it could mean the connection between the modem and the ISP. It depends on the modem.

You have tried reinstalling or changing the speed and duplex mode of your NIC, right?