I would like to know where I should start troubleshooting my network. I have a speedstream 5200 modem with upgraded firmware to make it function as a router connected to a linksys BEFSR4.1 V.2 router that I am using as a switch. I have a PC and a MAC connected to the linksys. Both computers can get online. When only one computer is on things work very well as I am connected to a highspeed dsl. As soon as the other computer is on the internet slows down. IT is pretty extreme to, I was downloading a software update and it got as slow as 50 B/sec. Even if the first computer is turned off the network is slow, until you wait for a few hours and turn only 1 machine on. Then I am back to full speed again. I am using the linksys as a switch because I couldn’t get it to function correctly. It won’t let me upgrade the firmware and I couldn’t get it to go online. So I changed things to my current set up. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks Matt

Advice on how to make a defective piece of equipment not be defective? No reason to think if the router is defective that the switch side isn't also. Any issues with one pc connected to the modem? The modem gives your pc an ip address and everything works fine? Are you ready for where Microsoft wants you to go today?

the speedstream is connected to the linksys directly and the two computers are connected to the linksys

one cannot use 2 routers on one network.

You are using your modem/router as your DHCP server, while the linksys router as s switch with DHCP turned off. Like others have said, you need to remove that linksys box and replace it with a switch.

Thanks for everyones help on this one. I am sorry that I never posted a final note. After trying everything that you have suggested I finally discovered that the problem was my surge protected power bar. The power bar that I purchased included a placed to plug in my phone line so protect against electrical surge through the phone line. So I had the phone going into the power bar then out into my speedstream modem. Once I connected my speedstream direcly to the phone jar my problems stopped. Thanks again for everyones help. This is a great forum to post things on.