Linksys Router help, Hardware issues?

[The_Shooter]

I am having serious issues with my Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless Router. I am not using the wireless feature yet.

My problem:
On average, the router will stop responding at least 5 times daily. The only way for me to resolve the issue is to unplug it and plug it back in. (Previously I had a netgear router and had no problems, but wanted to get a router that was wireless for I would use that feature in the future.)

This problem with the router failing to work has been going on for more than 2 months now. Its getting progressivly worse. I know how to configure routers, so its nothing that I set up different than the last router.

I even have the lastest firmware hoping that was something to do with it...

As I said before, my old router had no problems keeping me connected, and this linksys is making my internet horrible.
This I believe is a hardware failure. I bought this at the end of January 2004 at Circuit City.

[M_Six]

Check out this article. Many folks turn off the SSID broadcast for security reasons. In Windows XP, that causes connection issues.

[Siliconjunkie]

Good thought Six, but I don't think he is using the wireless portion yet.

Can you define "stop responding"? Can you still ping it or access the web interface or does it just stop passing traffic?

[The_Shooter]

Sorry but I dont use the wireless feature, so that is not it.

I have my wireless access turned off on the router, for security reasons.

I have 2 machines hooked up to it, and about a month ago, I had 14 machines hooked up durring a LAN. Not once has the wireless feature been used. Its all been wired in.
I will be using the internet and all of a sudden it will stop responding, I look at the lights on the router and they are solid. It will cut all the internet access from all the computers. If I try to log into the router, it wont respond either. It wont matter what computer I am trying to log in it with.
The only way I can get internet back is to unplug it, and then plug it back in. I tried leaving it for an hour seeing if it would re-connect itself, or respond, but it will not.
I put the latest firmware on from the website and it still did not solve it.
Today alone so far, I have been disconnected 6 times. And today is not yet over.

[M_Six]

DOH!!! Sorry. I missed that.

I like Linksys routers, but I have had to RMA two in the past year. Sometimes you get a lemon. But Linksys is really good about RMA'ing them, so don't hesitate if you think it's bad.

That said, have you tried a hard reset by holding the reset button in for 5 or 6 seconds? That will reset everything back to factory settings. If it still gives you problems, RMA it.

[Siliconjunkie]

I would try the hard reset like Six said.

Also, are the activity lights on solid or just the link? If the activity light is on solid you could have bad NIC just spewing.

[The_Shooter]

M_Six,
Yes, I did do the reset button but without success. Do I need a reciept to RMA it? If so, I will have to somehow find it :/.

Siliconjunkie,
All of the activity lights go solid. And if you were also wonderin, I got a new NIC and that did not solve it. Remember, this is not just my computer that looses internet, its my whole house.

I think I will RMA it. I like their products, so this will be the best for me. Tomorrow I will call them up, but I already emailed them today. M_Six, Is there anything I should know about the RMA? Do I need everything such as the box or just the router and its accessories?

[embj]

Yeah...I've had a problem with a router that sounds exactly like what you are describing...most of the time you don't need a receipt for an RMA...all you need to do is just send it in and they'll send you a new one.

An example is that I just bought a used APC 1500VA UPS that was AS-IS on eBay for $40. Of course the thing didn't work and I just called APC up and they sent me the info that I needed to RMA it with no questions asked. I just paid $10 shipping through FedEx and I'll be getting a new one here within the next week.

[M_Six]

You'll need the receipt, and they'll cross-ship if you give them a credit card. When you get your new one, put your old one in the box they sent your new one in and ship it back. Make sure you include the power cord. Never reuse a power cord from an RMA'd router. They also include a shipping-type notice in the new router box that you have to put into the box when you send back your RMA router. I missed that the first time. I had no problems at all RMA'ing them. You can do it right from their website.

[The_Shooter]

Thanks for the fast and productive responses! Tomorrow I am gonna get the RMA and send it back!

Since I have posted this, I have already had to turn the power off on it 4 more times.