This is a theoretical question about router+modem units, not a troubleshooting question per se.
I have repeated the following observation several times now, at different times of day, between computer and router restarts, and a pattern has emerged:
- Enable laptop WiFi and connect to the router
- Laptop may have internet access for up to a minute, or may connect to router and not have internet, or may not see router at all
- Within minutes, the router+modem combo box's "Broadband" and "Internet" lights are no longer green like they normally are, they are entirely off instead
- (No other WiFi device is able to connect to the router, or if it is, it is not able to get internet access) -- not interested in this aspect particularly, but just FYI
Now, I understand how a haywire WiFi device could pollute the wireless environment (disallowing other WiFi devices from connecting), or at least confuse the router enough that its WiFi stopped working (point 4 above.) Fair enough. My question is, how is it possible that the router itself no longer connects to the internet in this situation? How does its DSL connection have anything to do with its WiFi interface?
This particular router+modem box is a Thomson B102B8, but I am asking in general.