Hi, I'm having a problem with my home network that I'm hoping someone can help me with. I was using a Linksys router, then switched to a Neatgear WTG624 because I thought the Linksys was going bad. However, the same problem is occurring with the Netgear now, so something else must be wrong. I have Verizon DSL, Windows XP Pro on both PCs, and I've got Cat5e cable connecting both of them to the router (rather than using the wireless portion). What is happening is 1) our Internet connection slows way down; 2) I power down the router, wait 10 seconds and plug it in; 3) the Internet connection speeds back up to normal; 4) then about 1/2 hour later (or less) it slows way down again and I have to repeat the process. I have Norton AV protection and Windows Defender on both and no viruses or malware that I can detect. One thing I have noticed is that when the Internet slows down, the router looks like it's having what I've heard call a "broadcast storm" - both of the port lights are in a state of constant flickering, rather than intermitent flickering when data is being sent. This happens whether I have one or both PCs plugged in; I don't think it's someone hacking me because it happens whether the wireless access is turned on or not. If anyone has a suggestion about what's causing this it would be much appreciated. Let me know if you need more info also. Thanks! Steve A.

See the router logs with the web base setup. See the event viewer on both PC's (I doubt it will show anything) When you are there be sure to use all the tools to protect your lan. DISABLE UPNP. Go to the advanced properties of each network interface card. You can disable every port except Port 80 tcp and try it. Consider using a port scanner such as ethereal. Try a linux live cd to see if it is network related versus xp computer related.

I meant use the tools in the web based router setup to protect your lan.

>> I don't think it's someone hacking me because it happens whether the wireless access is turned on or not. << Wireless access has nothing to do with it. You can be hacked through a wired connection just as easy, if not easier, as through a wireless connection. Stuart

"I don't think it's someone hacking me because it happens whether the wireless access is turned on or not." Wether they are or not I would still suggest you setupsome sort of access security on the router. If not at least turn on MAC address authentication (you will have to manually enter the MAC addresses of your systems into the router. This will keep out "most" people from connecting to the Internet using your wireless connection. Sometimes, people are not even aware they are using someone else's connection. If after setting up "some sort" of security for the wireless portion of the router you still have these problems then I suggest that you turn on one of your systems at a time and test. It may be that the network card on one of your systems is going bad and this would narrow it down. If you fine one system causing the problem, replace the network card.

It's entirely possible that your ISP connection is getting hammered but not too likely. Go into your router's setup menu and make sure it's set not to respond to ICMP packets and all the ports are in "stealth" mode, then power cycle the router to get a new IP address from your provider. What happens sometimes is that a 'bot finds a live connection and then starts hammering it with port scans, looking for open ports to attack. What it really sounds like, though is a fairly common router problem where the connection slows down and "dies" over time. Go to the Netgear website and d/l the latest firmware for your router. If that doesn't fix it replace the router.

Thanks all for the good suggestions. I took my backroom computer off of the network and the problem went away; I then connected it up a wireless USB stick and it works fine with no slowdown of the network. My guess is either my NIC card is bad or there's something wrong with the cable I ran under the house to the back room (rodents might have chewed into it or something). I'll see if I can find a spare NIC lying around and try that to see if the problem returns. Thanks again. Steve A. Ps - have the latest firmware; I've disabledd UPnP and set up WEP security and MAC authentication - problem still existed after all these were done. Has to be the NIC card or the cable is my guess...