2 comps 1 router :( update

MediaMan

I had previously posted a thread outlining problems with two computers connecting to a SMC 7004AWBR router's 10/100 ports. The problem went along the lines where if any one computer was plugged into the router all was well. But when two were connected one would always intermittently drop/connect ever 3-4 seconds.

It was annoying.

So here is what I figured out after resetting the router and flashing a new BIOS (which turned out to be the same bios I had all along). Computer 1: in 100 Mbps full duplex mode on the nic. Computer 2: put in 100 Mbps full duplex mode...crap-out. Put it into 10 Mbps full duplex mode...works.

Odd. Very odd.

The SMC router has three 10/100 ports so it "should" be supporting 100 Mbps full duplex on all three. Put any single computer to 100 Mbps full duplex and it works on all three ports. Just plug in a second PC with the nic set to anything but 10 Mbps full duplex....and it craps out.

Head-scratcher huh?

Anyone care to venture guesses?

TheBaron

i dont know but i have a similar problem with an smc router. similar in that its absolutely strange. what happens to me is that the routers DHCP serve only works on one computer in my house. whats even odder is that it doesn't pick this computer by which cable its on, how its set up, or if its the only computer plugged in. its the same one every time. all the rest i have to use static ip's for

MediaMan

I experience that "dominant" PC effect too. Not in the same way but in my example above I do have a dominant PC connection.

:banghead:


I'm on the backs of SMC now.

EMT

That (obviously) really shouldn't happen. Have you tried any half duplex?

Gobbles

what OS's are the machines running and are they configured the same services wise?

Gobbles

TheBaron

after reading MM's post I'm thinking I'm gonna toy with some settings later, see if I can find a workaround for my problem. sorry i cant help MM

MediaMan

ANY setting besides 10 Mbps Full Duplex on the second PC results in a connection that continually fights to connect but loses. This is consistent through 4 different hardware platforms and three different clean installs of WINXP with 3 differently keyed install disks.

Odd.

For 1.5 years ...nadda...now this pops up.

Router settings were not changed but in my diagnosis hunt I did eventually reflash the router to the current BIOS (which it was on) and reset back to factory defaults. DHCP enabled.

It's a head scratcher yet the "dominant" computer shows, via McAffee Internet speed test a rating of 1.5 to 2 Mbps download and the other 10 Mbps configured PC shows 1.5.

So there isn't an Internet performance impact but probably a machine to machine data speed hit due to the lessor Mbps nic setting.

MediaMan

TheBaron wrote:

after reading MM's post I'm thinking I'm gonna toy with some settings later, see if I can find a workaround for my problem. sorry i cant help MM

One PC connects just fine right? The second doesn't? Try playing with the duplex speed setting. Open up network connections and choose the properties for the LAN icon and it'll be in there.

Thrax

Have you considered that the network card just might be dying?

Death throes of a network card often include the inability to operate at their rated speed.

TheBaron

MediaMan wrote:

This is consistent through 4 different hardware platforms

I think that answers your question Thrax.

MM, that sounds like a great suggestion, I'll try it out.

EMT

So.. this is a problem with the router right? Since you've tried so many different cards. It's like the router can only handle one 100mbps connection, not one specific computer always messes it up for the other(s). And 100mbps is, as you said, completely useless when nothing else can connect to the router faster than 10.

Question: what exactly doesn't work when you have two comps connecting at 100mbps? Do you get the LAN OK lights and does it show up in Windows?