<html><head></head><body><div><br></div><div>On Sun, 2016-09-04 at 08:29 +0100, Colin Law wrote:</div><blockquote type="cite"><pre>On 4 September 2016 at 06:31, Chas IRONS <<a href="mailto:ironscf@telkomsa.net">ironscf@telkomsa.net</a>> wrote: <blockquote type="cite"> ... As you suggested above I started the PC & ran ifconfig: <snip> ****************** Then started the router & ran ifconfig: <snip> ****************** Before I could paste the results above, a message showed "Disconnected" and soon "Connected" again. Restarted the PC & ran ifconfig: <snip> Hooray. Opera works on my ISP websites so the router is "Connected" So what do you suggest now? Sorry for the long email with all the ifconfig results. I wonder if I could disable the network card (eth0) in bios before Ubuntu boots up? </blockquote> </pre></blockquote><div>Hi Colin. Let me insert responses in your summary.</div><blockquote type="cite"><pre> I don't know why you think that would help. I do not see that the problem is anything to do with eth0. Is this a correct summary of the situation: 1. If you restart the router, so it is in a known good working state, and then start the PC everything works correctly. </pre></blockquote><div>Yes. Correct.</div><blockquote type="cite"><pre> 2. If you wait till the router is in a strange state (not responding to the power down switch) and start the PC then the PC does not connect to the router until you power cycle the router. </pre></blockquote><div>Partly true. Even if I start the router first and then start the PC, the PC does not connect to the router. I have to reboot the router via its Application menu or disconnect and reconnect the USB cable. When the router does not respond to the power off switch, the same process restores its function.</div><blockquote type="cite"><pre> If the above is correct then it seems to me, as I previously suggested, that there is a problem with the router and nothing wrong with the PC at all. </pre></blockquote><div>I agree. It may even be a problem with the skills of staff at my ISP. Just getting to speak to them is a mission.</div><blockquote type="cite"><pre> I suggest (if you have not already done it) that you check to see if there is a firmware upgrade for the router and apply that if so. If not then either get a replacement router or resign yourself to resetting when required. </pre></blockquote><div>The user manual I downloaded is version 1.0 of October 22, 2013 at the Initial release that says :</div><div>"You can upgrade the firmware of the router here. Make sure the firmware file you want to use is on the local hard drive of the computer. Please</div><div>check your local D-Link support site or <a href="http://support.dlink.com">http://support.dlink.com</a> for firmware updates and language packs."</div><div>So I will try their website next for a firmware update. Sorry if it takes a long time for the penny to drop in my old brain.</div><div>My hope is to be able to have the router working for WhatsApp while my PC is switched off or at least "Disconnected"</div><div>I will reply to Ralph's suggestions separately.</div><div>Take care and thanks again for your skilled advice.</div><div><span style="color: rgb(115, 115, 115); font-family: 'Ubuntu Mono';"><a href="mailto:chas@Charles-PC">chas@Charles-PC</a></span></div></body></html>