Lost connection

moonpenny

Can someone help with this weird problem I'm having with Internet access.
I'm with Virgin and have wireless "netgear"
Last couple of days it's really been playing up - losing connection, slow download, freezing on occasions.
I keep having to reset "netgear but this afternoon had no internet connection at all (little box at bottom of screen says connected and high signal strength, at same time as it said not connectedon netgear)
Sorry, am no good at explaining, not a "techi" at all. as you can guess.
Anyway, got no connection tonight and switched off/unplugged the whole thing again to try and have suddenly got connected but my netgear box is completely switched off. (was going to reset again till I noticed it was connected
I don't get it, how can I be connected when it's switched off?

OneADay

Maybe you are connected to next door's wireless or maybe you got your virgin modem connected directly to the pc via a cable?

Savvy_Spender_South

That is strange. are you working wireless? are you picking up local unsecured networks from neighbours? you really should not be online if your box is off, that is a fact!

moonpenny

Just been disconnected again so switched netgear back on and am back in business.
I've had netgear for about 9 mths with no probs and now this. The light at the end of box is red (internet) and i'm sure it should be green but its working. It's been doing this all day then I will lose connection again.
Maybe it's desktop thats faulty (though less than a yr old) and not the wireless box!
On one occasion, it said "another comp on this network has same IP address as this comp and to contact networkadmin.
I only have one desktop and am not connected to any others etc
When I look at connections at bottom of screen, there are about 5 other comp users but none have netgear.

penrhyn

How is your set up connected?

Is it Cable modem>>>Ethernet cable>>>Netgear Router>>> Ethernet cable>>>PC

or as above but with a wireless connection to the PC?


A bit like this?

moonpenny

No cable or ethernet - just netgear router into back of comp.

Update - am now using internet with NOTHING plugged into Netgear.

I thought I would unplug Netgear box before I turned on PC to see what happened. The box at bottom of screen (that shows connections) showed no signal but my home page still came up. Now it is showing - connected, excellent signal strength.
How weird is this? nothing in the back of netgear box

penrhyn

You have connected to a neighbours' unsecured wireless network.
Your on line security is compromised, as anyone can monitor your on-line traffic.
On no account use your connection for purchases on-line banking or anything that needs a password.

To confirm, you have switched your wireless router of and there is no physical connection between your router and your computer?