I've got a problem with my wireless network that I'd like to get sorted out before all the Netgearheads leave for the summer.

My problem: Sporadically and without warning, my wireless router stops transmitting Internet data. I'm still wirelessly connected to the router, as indicated by my system tray on my desktop, but Web pages time out, and I can't ping an outside IP address. I can fix this by power-cycling the router. But this problem repeats itself every 24-36 hours, and I'll have to go power-cycle it again. Eventually that gets old.

I'm running a Linksys Wireless-G router (WRT54G). I'm connected to WAN via Fidelity cable (though in the past I've had other cable providers and a DSL service connected to the same router) and I'm splitting that connection across an average of three client systems. I've had the router operating on a variety of settings, including any combination of the following:

--B-only, G-only, or mixed access
--SSID broadcast, SSID not broadcast
--Open access, WEP access, WPA access
--Any of the three different service providers

The problem presents itself no matter which of these options is active at the time. Presently, the router's configured as mixed-access, SSID broadcast on channel 6, WPA access and Fidelity cable.

Looking for a permanent solution, or at least some stepping stones to lead me along the way. Help!

try new firmware

dd-wrt, openwrt, hyperwrt

mine does that all the time... i am the furthest from the router... i also noticed my wireless card gets way overheated and i have to spray it with cold canned air to get it to work again

I'm thoroughly convinced that WRT54G's are shit. I've had 2 of them do the same thing. I replaced both with Netgear WGR614s and they're a bit better, but not by much.

owner of 3 wrt54g routers. very happy with all.

I've had the same problem with this router... it happens ALLOT with em. Goggle searching it will get you loads of others who have this happen.

I noticed 2 main causes for when this happened with me.
1) interference by other wifi cards or by my high-gain wifi card on others
2) transmitting loads of data constantly (downloading 300+KBps) would overheat the router and need to be cooled.

My solution was simple, get a new router. I picked up the DGL-4300 Dlink with Gb ports. I've NEVER had any of the problems like i had with the WRT or other Dlink routers. Expensive but the headache it saved me means it's one of the best buys I've made in years. I've downloaded over 3 Terabytes over the Internet without it ever cutting out or locking up on me. Also setting everything up on 1,000kbps transfer rates is a huge bonus. I think u can get the router now for around 70 bucks, highly recommend! Especially if you do gaming and download at the same time (great ping times).