Internet Problems w/ D-Link - desperate for help

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Level 1

30 points

Internet Problems w/ D-Link - desperate for help

All worked fine with my previous (?Draft-N) D-Link router. On coming home from a month’s honeymoon, I guess the honeymoon is over, because I was constantly unable to connect to the Internet. Sometimes one of the fixes would work for a few hours or days, then the same problem. Below I’ve listed the problem solving steps I’ve taken. I’d be happy to buy an Apple Airport Extreme Base Station if that would help. The weird thing is that by process of elimination below, it would seem that the problem is neither the modem, router, ethernet, and system (see #9) all work. I’d be so grateful for any advice. I forgot to add that I have an ethernet network going from my router and a hub/switch to my wife’s G4 and my media center in the family room. Again, all worked fine previously for months.

Things I have done to fix Internet problems:
1. Had D-Link (?Draft-N) - replaced with D-Link DIR-655
2. Contacted ISP (Cox)-they reset router-packets fine
3. Data/Internet lights on router working
4. Connected router directly to Ethernet port on Mac - ALWAYS WORKS
5. Unplugged and replugged modem and router
6. Switched CAT 5 cables
7. Used reset button on router
8. Configured using D-Link setup via IP (no software)-Reports shows no packets dropped
9. INSTALLED CLEAN LEOPARD ON FW DRIVE (no migration)-SAME PROBLEM
10. Swapped cables again-worked, but...
11. During transfer of photos to smugmug during night, quit
12. D-Link configuration page shows no packets dropped, no errors
13. Repaired Disk Permissions from Cocktail-WORKED-for now

Mac Pro 2X4 2.8, Mac OS X (10.5.2), 10GB RAM, NVIDIA 8800

Posted on Aug 17, 2008 9:51 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Aug 17, 2008 12:07 PM in response to Don T

I have been installing adsl and cable routers for years and there is only really one brand I avoid D-Link. They have given me more headaches over the years from various clients than any other brand.

My favourite ADSL router is the netgear DG834.
my favourite router is the linksys wrt54g (but it showing its age now)

My network at home/office is currently an adsl2+ annex M connection.

I am testing a ZyXEL Prestige 660RU-T1 adsl2+ modem in bridged mode and use an apple gigabit wireless N base station as my router which in turn bridges another apple base station in the loft which connects a wii, ps3 xbox tvix 6500 network media player.

My server a mac mini connect via gigabit to the main base station and as I add and remove other mac n pc's to an from my office they all have gigabit networking.

I am able to stream 1080p HD mkv from my mac mini to the network media player over the wireless N connection and I get full frame rates no stutter or hiccups its perfect.

I have had to powercycle this setup once in 9 months to install a firmware update on the base stations.

My point here is that although the apple base station lacks some features as a router such as QoS and a terminal connection it proves to be really stable and the wireless N works amazingly well.

I would highly recommend the apple base station as a router/wireless access point as long it it is use in conjunction with a reliable dsl or cable modem.

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Answer 2

Don T Author

Level 1

30 points

Aug 17, 2008 1:08 PM in response to Tim Haigh

Thank you so much for the post. If this happens again (working right now after fixing permissions) I’m getting an Airport Base Station. In the meantime, could I impose on you to tell me how to set up my Mac Pro and my wife’s G4 so that she can connect if I have to plug the router directly to the MP ethernet port? Set up the MP as a server? Networking is the Achilles heel of my knowledge. Thank you.

“I have been installing adsl and cable routers for years and there is only really one brand I avoid D-Link. They have given me more headaches over the years from various clients than any other brand.

My favourite ADSL router is the netgear DG834.
my favourite router is the linksys wrt54g (but it showing its age now)

My network at home/office is currently an adsl2+ annex M connection.

I am testing a ZyXEL Prestige 660RU-T1 adsl2+ modem in bridged mode and use an apple gigabit wireless N base station as my router which in turn bridges another apple base station in the loft which connects a wii, ps3 xbox tvix 6500 network media player.

My server a mac mini connect via gigabit to the main base station and as I add and remove other mac n pc's to an from my office they all have gigabit networking.

I am able to stream 1080p HD mkv from my mac mini to the network media player over the wireless N connection and I get full frame rates no stutter or hiccups its perfect.

I have had to powercycle this setup once in 9 months to install a firmware update on the base stations.

My point here is that although the apple base station lacks some features as a router such as QoS and a terminal connection it proves to be really stable and the wireless N works amazingly well.

I would highly recommend the apple base station as a router/wireless access point as long it it is use in conjunction with a reliable dsl or cable modem.“

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Answer 3

Tim Haigh

Level 7

24,198 points

Aug 17, 2008 2:14 PM in response to Don T

Thank you so much for the post. If this happens again (working right now after fixing permissions) I’m getting an Airport Base Station. In the meantime, could I impose on you to tell me how to set up my Mac Pro and my wife’s G4 so that she can connect if I have to plug the router directly to the MP ethernet port? Set up the MP as a server? Networking is the Achilles heel of my knowledge. Thank you.

Fortunately your using Macs. When it comes to networking with a tiny learning curve networking becomes straightforward.

To setup a file server you make sure your server is connected to your router and any client computers are connected to the same router, this can be via ethernet or wifi if you have wireless router.

Then on the server you goto your sharing network preference pane. name your computer a simple name such as 'macproserver'

Then enable file sharing.

Then on the client mac macproserver should appear in the sidebar of the finder window to connect to it you would use the username and password of the account on the macpro. Then all the files and folders would be available.

You can lock it down to only share your public folder if you log in as a guest.

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Answer 4

Don T Author

Level 1

30 points

Aug 17, 2008 8:21 PM in response to Tim Haigh

Thanks Tim, but what I’m looking for is a way to share my Internet connection when things go bad and I have to plug the router directly into the Mac Pro. At that point, I’m not using the router at all, but want my wife to be able to access the web and her Email so she doesn’t take over my computer. I tried Sys Prefs>Sharing>Internet Sharing to no avail.
By the way, as mentioned there is a hub/switch from my router to her room and the family room. I tried plugging into the second ethernet port on the Mac Pro, thinking it would take the Internet feed from my computer, but not. Is there a way to use that second port for the wired network?

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