Internet/router help please

[Raijyn]

Heres the situation: Upstairs I have a cable router connected to the cable wire. My computer, which is directly downstairs is linked to the router using a direct connection. Now, every few minutes, my connection to the internet is cut off, but surprisingly it restarts instantly. Just enough time for it to completely destroy any and all downloads, games or internet stuffs Im trying to load. At first I believed this was due to me having a wireless connection to the router, but after I got the same problem even with a direct connection to it through the wall, I got a bit worried.

Is this a problem with the router, my computer, the internet? I am completely stumped on this, and frankly really annoyed. If theres anything I can do that will permanently solve this problem and let me stay connected constanly, id be so grateful for the answer. Thanks

[Fozzik]

It could be any of the three. When did the problem start, and what are your computer specs (including motherboard)?

[Raijyn]

Well the problem has been occuring for about 4 months now, and apparently only effects the computers in the basement. It cant be my computer because my brothers get the same problem on his comp (incidently, I had this problem on my old computer as well) so its prolly a router problem. Im going to see if I can buy a new router or modem, then see if that fixes it.

[Razorwire]

First thing to try and a direct wired connection to the router on one machine and wireless on the other if the wireless cuts out and the wired doesn't then it's a wireless fault, if both systems cut then it's a router issue.

[Fozzik]

Well, it could be a signal strength problem from the cable (the coax TV cable, I mean). Do you have splitters on the cable when it comes into the house, or outside? If so, is there a way you could bypass the splitters and run straight to the modem just to try it?

[Belisarius]

/agree with Fozzik, eliminate the router from the equation for a while to see if you can recreate the issue, if so, then you've eliminated the router as a problem.

Also, on my cable modem it has lights that indicate what kind of activity is happening, you could watch those, if you have em to see if that's the issue (Cable modem).

Good luck