Need some computer help
 

Ok, i'm having some weird computer problems. Here's the setup I have. I have a cable modem that is connected to a router. That router has two computers connected to it, one of which is a web/email/ftp server. That router also has a wireless access point/router functioning as a switch attached to it. The wireless access point/switch has two more desktops connected to it as well as a wireless laptop. Now to my problem: All of the sudden the other day my server and one of hte desktops connected to the wireless accesspoint/switch lost their internet connection. I got a page that my server was down, so I rushed home from work quickly to reboot it thinking that something happened to the server itself. Well, it was fine, it just mysteriously lost it's connection. Now, I tinkered around for a little bit, reset the routers and modem and server, and now I can get to my web/email/ftp server from the internet, but it still appears as if it doesn't have an internet connection! It's ok for the time being because the server is serving up pages when they are requested, but it still has no internet connection, at least it donesn't "think" it does???? I have never had a problem like this before, so I'm stumpped. The first thing I did was reinstall all network drivers asuming that they had somehow gotten corrupted, but still no luck. The other weird thing is that all of the computer are visible to each other on my network. Of all five computers on the network, they all see each other and are able to share data. One more weird thing: The desktop that is affected is running WinXP Pro. When I open up my network connections (from control panel) I see 1) Internet Connection and 2) LAN Connection. The Internet Connection icon will appear and then disappear about every 10 seconds. :confused:

Sorry for the lengthy explanation, and I hope it makes sense. So, does anybody have any insight here? Also, can someone suggest a good discussion board where I could get some advise? Thanks for any help in advance.

Are the wireless computers the only one losing connection to the internet? - I have a wireless setup and about after an hour it would lose connection - file sharing would work but internet signal would go down - I think it has something to do with refreshing the I.P. addresses and their should also be an option to keep the internet connection alive in your router/access point.

No, the two that are loosing the connection are the hard wired computers. They both have static IP addresses too, so I don't think that is it. Each computer is connected to a different router so I had kind of ruled out the problem being with the router/switch. I will go through the setup screens anyway and look for what you suggest. Thanks.

Stop using Windows for a server?

Check the hardware manager for problems, perhaps uninstall/reinstall teh drivers for the NICs, or maybe delete and re-create the network connection. Check all the physical connections to be sure they are snug, and no pets have snaked on the CAT-5.

not using windows for a server. I'm using Apache for www, bulletproof ftp, argosoft for mail. I am beginning to think it might be the router or the Cat-5 like you suggested. I am going to start fresh with a new router and cables in the morning and see if that helps. Thanks for the suggestions.