[nickylowe]

I have windows vista, and i am using virgin media broadband.

After being on line for a while, the modem seems to turn its self off, and i'm being told the 'network adaptor does not have a valid ip address' If i switch the modem off and wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on, it works okay for a while. I've been in touch with Virgin, and they have said there isn;t a problem with the connection/modem, but its my computer. I have no idea what i'm doing and its driving me mad. Is there anybody out there who is a bit more computer minded?

Thanks a lot nicky

[unbidden]

I've been in touch with Virgin, and they have said there isn;t a problem with the connection/modem, but its my computer.

Does the 'online' light on the modem go out radomly?
What is the make + model of the modem?

[DaveA]

Is this a wired or wireless connection?

[nickylowe]

soory to be so long replying,it is a wired connection.thanks.

[nickylowe]

Originally Posted by unbidden

Does the 'online' light on the modem go out radomly?
What is the make + model of the modem?

the online light has recently started going out,most of the time it stays on when i get the problem of no connection. motorola,surfboard cable modem.

[unbidden]

the online light has recently started going out,most of the time it stays on when i get the problem of no connection. motorola,surfboard cable modem.

The cable light should 'never' go out; this suggests there is either a problem on thier end or your modem is bad.

What model surfboard modem? If an older modem it may not be fully compatable with the signal Virgin is currently using. Call them and ask.

Are you connected to the modem via usb or network card? I've never been a fan of connecting using usb; opt for a network card connection.

[TerryNet]

this suggests there is either a problem on thier end or your modem is bad.

I have experienced problems between those two end points unbidden accurately identified. If you also see the Receive and/or Send LEDs going off and then struggling to establish a connection it could be one of your connections is loose or corroded. I've had problems with rust on the ground connection outside where my cable joins the cable company's. Also had corrosion problem with an inside connection to a wall jack.

OTOH if your online LED is on when you have no connection the main suspicion is on your computer or the ethernet cable or modem's ethernet port.

It may help if you could post the following for a good connection, and then when you lose connection tell us exactly what you are seeing with the modem's LEDs and show the following again for that "down" condition.

Start, Run, CMD, OK to open a command prompt:
(For Vista type CMD in the Search box after Start)

Type the following commands:

ping 216.109.112.135

ping yahoo.com

IPCONFIG /ALL

Right click in the command window and choose Select All, then hit Enter.
Paste the results in a message here.

If necessary use a text file and removable media to copy the results to a computer with internet access.

[nickylowe]

the model number for the motorola modem is SB5101E if it helps.but i will try out all the advice given.iv've renewed the ethernet cable,but no joy there.
thanks.......nicky.