Internet Connection issues with CD-R King LP-8186 Router

I used to work as a technical support representative and my main call split is networking.  I’m not an expert in troubleshooting networking issues involving internet and peer-to-peer connections but I was grateful with the constant trainings I got that helped me in most of my calls.

Just two months ago, my troubleshooting knowledge that was left since I resigned from my job was put to test again.  Our desktop computer failed to connect to the internet.  I already tried to connect the RJ45 ethernet cable to ports LAN2-4 because the LAN1 light indicator wouldn’t light up.  The error message was “Limited or No Connectivity” and it’s equivalent to no internet connection at all.  It wasn’t a problem with the ISP since the other two laptop computers were working very fine via wireless.

I refreshed the modem and the access point or router but the desktop PC returned the same error message.  I then pressed the router’s reset button to no avail.  We have been using the CD-R King LP-8186 router for more than a year now and it doesn’t give us any problem until two months ago.  After I reset the router, the other two laptops later on failed to connect to the internet and the modem’s internet light indicator was off.  Thinking it was another problem with our ISP Globe, I let it pass until the next day.  Especially during bad weather, Globe can be unsatisfactory for its intermittent connection.

A day or two passed and I already doubted whether it was exactly the ISP’s issue or not until I directly plugged in the desktop PC to the modem Prolink H5200, which is provided by Globe.  It connected to the internet!  The laptop also worked when I connected it directly to the modem.  So the problem narrowed down to the router.

The issue:  modem to router wired to desktop PC / laptop – no internet connection; whereas, modem wired to desktop PC / laptop - internet connection is excellent.

The first time we had have the CD-R King LP-8186 router, it worked instantly without any configuration done.  And I wondered what could have caused it to malfunction.  Compatibility?  Software?  Hardware failure?  Unfortunately, all my troubleshooting steps didn’t fix the problem.  Even manually entering the IP address, the Default Gateway and the DNS server addresses didn’t help.

Using my laptop, I browsed through the internet for other solutions that I could have missed and I stumbled upon CD-R King’s online chat support.  Their online tech support representative (cdrking_onlinetech01), Chris, is very helpful and patient.  He sent me a copy of “Step by Step procedures on how to configure the LP-8186AP/Router on a Globe connection” and after I followed each step, the laptop was able to connect to the internet.  I tried the wireless connection and it’s good!  I was so happy that I thanked Chris, forgetting about the desktop PC.

I was about to compose a blog about the success of our troubleshooting steps so that I can share it to other users of LP-8186 router when I spotted our desktop PC.  I connected the RJ45 ethernet cable to the desktop PC and router to see if it’s working.  To my dismay, it returned the same error message “Limited or No Connectivity.”  

The new issue:  modem to router wired to desktop PC – no internet connection; whereas, modem wired to desktop PC / laptop or modem to router to laptop (via wireless) - internet connection is excellent.

I went online again to look for Chris and it took us another hour trying to fix the desktop PC and the router configurations until he ruled out a possible hardware failure for the router.  I insisted it was not a hardware failure because the desktop PC worked fine when wired to the modem and the laptop worked fine when wired to both the modem or the router.  Since the LAN1 port of the router failed to work properly, Chris suggested to have the router physically attended by the nearest CD-R King branch in my area.  So that’s only in SM City.

I was busy for the next two months after that.  Just two days ago, I attempted to fix the internet connection issue again.  I got my brother’s permission to reformat the desktop PC’s drive C, which should fix any software related problem, but I’m back to the same problem (the new issue mentioned above) — same error message and all.  Weird, huh?

I reached another online tech of CD-R King (cdrking_onlinetech02), named Verhn, and relayed everything that was done.  In the end, we still couldn’t fix it but I was grateful that Verhn is equally helpful and patient.  I wished all tech support would be like them.

From the forums I’ve read, compatibility is a common issue for the LP-8186 router and Globe ISP but they were referring to the wireless connection.  I haven’t tried using another router or another desktop PC but I’ve thought about it before.  However, I found it inconvenient bringing the desktop PC to Mommy’s house then setup everything again.  And I wouldn’t want to bother them either by borrowing their CD-R King router (a different model) and spare them an internet connection for more than 24 hours.

The resolution (for the meantime):  Get a new reliable wireless router or a USB wireless adapter.

I’ll try the second option since getting a new router is a bit expensive.  Besides, it was only the desktop PC that won’t work with the router via wired connection.

Hope I’ll have lady luck by my side when I get a new wireless adapter from CD-R King (again!).  *cross my fingers*