Home plug oddity

[Steve]

We've had a lot of nasty spikes this year, Steve. I wonder if the grid has been having problems?

It gets expensive for items not associated with a surge protector, not sure how easy it is prove though.

[Rik]

It isn't. If you suspect voltage fluctuation, you used to have to get them to install a monitor to check. I don't know whether they still do that.

[Rik]

Latest report:

i got a second homeplug kit and i have the same problem. I have also noticed that straight after the home plug has been connected the router stops connecting with the internet at all
(which may explain why i can't access the internet but not why it's happening !)
i have to reboot the pc and router and disconnect the HP's and then the router works again.

The IP address on the pc is showing as 192.168.1.101 which apparently is the addy for the linksys router, is that how it should be ?

I'm stumped so if anyone's got an idea, my ears are wide open.

[Glenn]

Any idea of the make?

[Rik]

Not yet, it's drawing teeth time.

[Rik]

Right, the plugs are Max Value:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Max-Value-Mbps-Home-Double/dp/B000TV7FJ4

and an ipconfig reveals this:

Windows IP Configuration

        Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : xxxx
        Primary Dns Suffix  . . . . . . . :
        Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
        IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
        DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : cable.virginmedia.net

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

        Connection-specific DNS Suffix  . : cable.virginmedia.net
        Description . . . . . . . . . . . : NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller
        Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-19-66-7A-5D-F9
        Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
        Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
        IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.100
        Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
        Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
        DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
        DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 194.168.4.100
                                            194.168.8.100
        Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : 03 November 2010 18:00:38
        Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : 04 November 2010 18:00:38

[Glenn]

They look like the plugs I have, minus the pass through port http://www.ebuyer.com/product/179960

[Rik]

Can you think of anything in the setup which could cause the 'net connection to drop, Glenn?

[Glenn]

I installed the Power Packet utility that came with them, and entered the passwords that are printed on each unit. I was then able to access my network and the internet.

[Rik]

Thanks.

[Glenn]

Basically, followed the very small instruction manual.

[Rik]

I think this may be a case of RTFM...

[Steve]

These plugs seem to get a mixed review on Amazon they work or they don't, my other thought is that the mains is noisy and this is killing the connection might be worth looking at what else is connected in the rooms where the plugs are situated.

[Rik]

Thanks, Steve.

[esh]

The IP address on the pc is showing as 192.168.1.101 which apparently is the addy for the linksys router, is that how it should be ?

No no no no! Argh! You'll get an IP conflict on your default gateway. This is an issue I had a while ago when I moved my default gateway but the old one failed to be removed. Systems will then try and route through the most recent system that broadcast itself as that address. In this situation when the laptop connects with the same IP as the router all the PCs will be stuck and confused as all external packets will then try and route through the laptop and the laptop will be quite clueless too (hence it will appear the internet is down). You will be able to intermittently get to the router but with two systems on the same IP it's just going to be quite unpredictable (which is why it took me ages to figure it out). Try setting it to a fixed IP address if you want in the network configuration. Just use IP 192.168.1.200 (or other unused number up to 192.168.1.254) with netmask 255.255.255.0 and gateway to the router IP (x.101)... DNS either set to the router IP or type in the IDNet ones manually.

[Bill]

No no no no! Argh! You'll get an IP conflict on your default gateway.

I wondered about that... but I wasn't clear whether that was the IP OF the PC or the IP address of the Home plug as shown ON the PC... as my Home plugs don't show an IP address I decided that I was out of my depth and anything I tried to add would be more likely to increase the confusion

[Rik]

Thanks, esh, I'll pass that on. 

[esh]

Sorry I went crazy it's just I tore all my hair out not 2 months ago fixing that problem  Fits the bill as well.. the LAN/Wireless are on different adapters which is why one works and the other doesn't.

[Rik]

You're just boasting because you still have hair, aren't you.