Linksys Router Problems

To be honest I can't figure out if the combination of problems is hardware or software related but I can't get any further in figuring it out until I figure out what's going on with my Linksys router.

I use:

Windows XP with service pack 2
Toshiba PCX2600 Cable Modem
Linksys wireless router WRT54G version 3.0
PC Tools Firewall Plus

I have several problems going on but I'll start with the current router problem.

Lately my internet connection has been having trouble and the only thing that seems to fix it is doing a "repair connection" every time it stops working-though it still says it's connected. I've tried troubleshooting that problem with solutions suggested on dozens of websites and none have worked and instead I accidentally discovered that my router is behaving oddly.

I've reset the router to factory default with the reset button several times and it will briefly remain set to defaults and allow me to access the web based setup page. After 10 minutes max it stops letting me access the internet at all and using ipconfig release and renew in the command prompt shows that the ip address and gateways have changed even if I used the setup to disable DHCP and set up a static ip address/gateway and the new IP address is always a variation on 69.207.100.1 the last 4 numbers change but its always a 69.207.something address.

Once it's changed that on me I can access the internet by using the "repair connection" every so often and I can't access the web based set up page by entering either the new gateway address or the default one.
Direct connecting through the cable modem doesn't seem to help either it still drops the connection and won't change the IP address.

I've tried:
Resetting to factory defaults repeatedly
Power cycling everything many times
Using the command prompt to reset the ip adress and i've used the command "netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt" as suggested by someone.
Using the web based setup page to reset to factory defaults (when I can access it)
Fixing registry errors and the WinXP installation
Disabling DHCP and setting up a static IP address
Changing ports and switching out my cat5 cables
Direct connecting through cable modem
running Winsock fix

Does anyone have any idea what's going on here?

 

Ok I've tried resetting and changing the password/SSID a couple times with the same results as I was getting before. I can only access the setup page but not the internet and then it resets itself back to a 69.207 something IP and access to the setup page is cut off but the internet access returns.

The only thing I couldn't figure out was how to change the client lease time.

When I get the chance I'm going to take the modem and router to the upstairs computer and see if I get the same results there or not. It won't be easy to set it all up just to check but maybe I can narrow this down to a software or hardware based issue....

 

Actually, this just being my opinion, It sounds like like your firmware has become a little flakey. You might want to try going to Linksys website and d/l the latest firmware and install it. All the things you are describing just shouldn't be happening on a properly functioning router.........

 

Well I just updated the firmware (managed to keep the connection long enough this time) and no luck.

The linksys router shows up under "my network places" and right click option "invoke" brings up the web-based setup page during the short time that I have it set to factory defaults.

Once it resets itself to the 69.207 address, trying to use the "invoke" option on the right click menu gives me the message "The device you're trying to use is not currently available on your network."

 

Wow, That just some of the most bizarre behavior from a router. It would almost sound like you are being hacked from the outside. If possible I would try another router cuz that one just seems to be possessed with a mind of it's own.

 

I wish I had another router to try :/
I don't know what's going on but it's driving me crazy (especially with my whole family bugging me about when the computer is going to be fixed. It sucks being the only really computer literate person in the house).

I searched the official linksys forums for my model number and I'm running down the list of threads for anything that sounds even vaguely like my problem but no luck so far. If I don't find/come up with any solutions soon I'll post this up over there too and I don't know why I didn't do it in the first place anyways. *sigh*

I might think it was being hacked but there haven't been any other issues developing on the computer. When the internet is connected it runs fine no problems, the computer functions like it's supposed to otherwise. It only seems to be the router. I'm starting to wonder if the router might just be starting to die, I mean it's about 3 years old and our electronics tend to collect a lot of fur from our pets if we don't keep on top of it constantly. I'm not sure how to check if the router itself is functioning like it's supposed to though I don't have another router to compare it to...


Edit: I'm about to try a factory default and reconfigure with a full power cycle-I haven't tried that since I upgraded the firmware. Crossing my fingers here :/

 

The IP address you have listed belongs to Road Runner Holding LLC. Does that ring any bells?

Disconnect your router from the modem and set it up with a new password. Set up WPA2 security and use MAC filtering with only your MAC address. Then connect it back to the modem and see what happens.

If you connect directly to the modem, do you have any problems? Before you do this make sure your AV software and firewall software are working.

 

If you all ready tried doing a direct connect with the modem and you are getting the same results then I would say its not the router.
I would say its the modem or your Ethernet / wireless / windows
I would contact your ISP and insist on a new modem because if its a cable modem they have a tendency to do crazy things when they are ready to quit
like random accesses to the net or screwing with the router to make you recycle the power of both the router and modem
get them to send a tech to the house and when he gets their say give me a new modem

 

Actually, what has worked for me in the past, is uninstalling the Linksys software, and letting Windows do the job.

A software conflict may be the root of your issue.

 

I was finally able to solve the problem (though I went a little extreme on the solution).

In the process of trying to fix the problem (with my entire family breathing down my neck demanding results), I discovered a slew of new problems within the operating system and whatnot. I'm pretty sure now that the problems were the result of either a virus or someone screwing with my computer from the outside.

The amount of problems and the depth of them, I didn't have the knowledge or resources to fix since my internet access cut off entirely earlier. In the end I was forced to backup important files on some large microSD cards and did a system wipe and reinstall. *heavy sigh*

I would have tried more but I've been trying to fix this for almost a week now and getting sick of my family, but thank you all for all the helpful input and advice.

 

Sometimes it's a major PIA, but when it comes to trojans, and other stuff that just won't die, and reinstall themselves after being removed, there's little else you can do.

 

I concur with the Mekanic. Sometimes it's better when things get so hosed up to just flush it rather then fight and stress for a week and still not be sure if there is still not more nasties lurking about just waiting to be unleased