My Router Hates Me!

[Faranim]

ok....
I've got a SpeedStream Wireless Router (model 2623) and It's been a real pain recently.
Here's my basic setup:
Three Computers, One Cable Modem, One Router
Cable Modem into Router
Computer A is wired to the Router
Computers B and C connect to the router via wireless card.
All three have internet access 24/7 and can share files/play games over the LAN.

OK....Ever since I got it it's been a little screwey..... It does this thing which I like to call "Sleep Mode." The router enters "Sleep Mode" any time it chooses, for no reason whatsoever. While in "Sleep Mode," all programs previously using the internet remain connected, but any NEW attempt to access to the internet fails. The computers are also unable to communicate to the router (The Routers IP is http://192.168.254.254:88 and that NORMALLY lets you get to the router's status screen/settings...while router is in "Sleep Mode" you just get an error page "Page Cannot Be Found")
HOWEVER, The router SOFTWARE (running in taskbar) shows a green connection, indicating an active connection to the router (and internet). I know this is true because programs connected to the internet before the router falls asleep remain connected (IE if I'm Playing Starcraft I won't get disconnected, or If I'm on AIM I can still IM People....But If I log off starcraft of sign off AIM, I can not reconnect to them)
Going to Control Panel>Network Connections also shows functional connections to the router and internet. Yet any attempt to access either results in failure.
The only known way to wake the Router is to unplug it and plug it back in again (highly annoying as the router is in another room from this computer). It used to happen once every 2-3 days, now it is happening about 2-3 times a day.....

The computers are running Windows XP Home, XP Pro, and Windows 98. The one wired to the router is on XP Home. However, I don't think it's an OS problem because all three computers lose the router at the same time....I'm almost positive it's a router problem.

Any insight or advice would help a ton....I've sent in about 5 e-mails to SpeedStream and all i get is "Copy and Pase Instructions" on how to do things which I've already tried....::sigh:: Maybe someone here knows what's going on.

PS. I probably left some stuff out, so if you get confused tell me and I'll gladly explain more.

[smily_03]

are there any settings on the router where you could set up some sort of sleep mode? although i wouldnt think that it would need them, as it wouldn't use that much power....... it sounds like the thing might be going bad, since the times aren't the same all the time. anyone else got any other ideas? does it work to reboot your computer instead of the router? you might also try clearing and re-setting up the configuration on the thing just in case (write down the settings first though so you'll have them)...

[Faranim]

Already tried those....
Resetting the computers does nothing...its the router that goes dead....
you know what? I don't believe I've ever tried unplugging the MODEM when it goes to sleep....perhaps I could try that the next time it happens, but even if that DOES reset it, it still requires me to walk to the other room and pull wires outta the darn thing...

I've already reset the "Factory Default Conditions" and tried upgrading the firmware to the latest version. Even with default settings the router still acts funky.

There is no such thing as sleep mode on the router, I just used the term because it best describes what happens.

As of right now, my only possible explanations are:
1) The router is overheating and somehow going braindead. This would explain how it has been happening more often now (as it is much hotter these last weeks). However, the room the router's in has AC, so its not usually that hot in there.
2) The router is defective. Whether defective from the box, or if it got damaged I dont know, but the router might be permamantly damaged and not working properly.
3) My ISP (Optimum Online) can somehow detect multiple computers using their internet service via the router, and is sending in a secret code to screw up people using routers....I really don't think that they are that mean, but you never know.

I would call them (Optimum Online) for help, as they are always very helpful, but their service doesn't cover using a single connection for multiple computers, and They would be unable to provide me with technical support on this topic.

[Aarmenaa]

Some routers do have built in protection against overheating, but as long as it's not over 120 F I think you're ok there.

Look at the LEDs on the router the next time it happens. Is there a collision light on your router? I have a Linksys hub that will sometimes go into a "sleep mode" if there are too many network collisions. This would explain the need to unplug the router every few hours. Lets try that! :p

-Aarmenaa:t