Hello - we're running a Windows 2K server, several XP terminals, a 24-port Netgear hub and an old Alcatel Speedtouch 510 router. Something has gone wrong... we gradually lost the connection to the Net and now we can either get the Net OR to the network but not both at the same time. The router was reset to defaults. The server can connect to the Net for a few seconds before going down. If we restart the router we get a few more seconds connection between server and net. Can anyone help ?

Modem > Router > Hub > All PCs including the server. Is your network setup like that? When the connection is lost, run ipconfig /all from a command prompt and post the output here if you don't understand it.

Hello Guapo Yes that is the correct order - router->hub->all pcs inc server If we disconnect the cable from sever to hub, we can get internet. However if we try to use both, net fails and network has ip address conflict. ipconfig /all IP routing not enabled wins proxy not enabled dns suffix search list lan dhcp enabled yes autoconfig enabled ip address 10.0.0.3 (server) subnet mask 255.0.0.0 def gateway 10.0.0.138 dhcp 10.0.0.138 dns 10.0.0.138 Help!

The first problem is, the subnet mask should be 255.255.255.0 You have a Class A mask and it should be Class C. If the router is a 4 port router and you don't have more than 4 PCs, you don't need the hub. Connect all PCs to the router directly. If you have to use the hub, make sure that the WAN port of the hub connects to the router. The hub could be bad as well. If you still have problems, try static IPs and static DNS settings. You can use the DNS entries of the ISP, if you have to, instead of your server.

I would check to see if maybe the router isn't borked. SOHO level equipment isn't exactly 'robust' and is the most likely suspect in a case like this. If you have another router, or can get your hands on another router to test with....do so. At the very least, the same problem happens with another router and you've ruled that out as the problem.

Curt - you were completely right. Ended up replacing the router and all is well again. I reckon most problems IT are software and / or settings. In this case, the hardware was dying. Thanks for your help!