[sclug] Tinternet access problem

[Neil Haughton]

This is not really a 'Linux' question, but bear with me in case you know the
answer...
I have a Netgear wireless router (DG834g) connected to my telephone line
(usual paraphernalia connected with it, ADSL suppressor and so on) and it is
normally left on.

I also have a Netgear W311g wireless adapter in my PC (Ubuntu 7.10, using
ndiswrapper and the XP driver)

So here's the problem: If I use the internet one or more times a day, I find
(not always, but with depressing monotony) that when I eventually try to do
so I have no connection with my ISP, my router ADSL light is flashing
orange, and the router admin screen shows it is 'negotiating' and "LCP is
allowed to come up". Sometimes this will eventually resolve itself, but
usually not and I have to reboot the router (switch off and on) and restart
the PC to get a connection. Then it will be ok until I shut down the PC.

My ISP (TalkTalk) has been unable to cure the problem for any length of
time, and maintain whenever I call them that line tests show the line itself
is fine.  This could just be crap tech support, or it could be a real
problem (line etc) that is going to require actual expenditure to fix, in
which case I suppose I get what I pay for. (FWIW the phone is quite reliable
on the same line.)

Incidentally I am managing a download speed of circa 4Mbps on an 8Mbps
service (better than the norm, I read), so the line itself can't be complete
rubbish.

I have a hunch though that, given that once I have a connection it is
usually quite stable for as long as I need it, this is simply a DHCP lease
issue - once I disconnect my PC the router allows TalkTalk to give my IP
address to some one else, and when I try to reconnect they temporarily don't
have any spares available so I cannot until another subscriber gives one up.
 Does this sound likely, or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Either way it's bloody annoying and I am getting increasing domestic flack
over it too :-)

TIA

Neil.