Curing the home network outage blues

QWe have a Netgear router on our home network that includes two computers and a printer. Without any warning, the computers will lose Internet access and the printer won't print. We've learned that everything can be restored to normal if the router is unplugged for a while, then plugged in again. What's going on?

BRUCE GORDON, CARMEL, CALIF.

AYour network router is getting out of sync with your network modem, which disrupts your local communications. Rebooting the router by disconnecting and reconnecting its power cord resets the router so that it works again.

But it's annoying to have to reboot the router several times a day, so here are some ways to fix the underlying problem.

Call your Internet service provider (ISP) to make sure that your router's settings match their network settings. In addition, ask a related question: Since your router plugs into your Internet modem, ask the ISP if your modem's make and model are completely compatible with their network.

Netgear also offers an unorthodox suggestion: Get rid of the firewall software on your individual computers and rely on the firewall inside the router for protection against Internet threats. Why? If there are two or more firewalls on your network, they may be conflicting with each other and causing periodic shutdowns of your Internet connection, Netgear says. Even if you haven't installed any firewall software on a PC, its Windows firewall might be turned on.

For more advice from Netgear, see tinyurl.com/3pxlkmu and tinyurl.com/3esc5n4.

But Netgear's solution represents a security trade-off. Relying completely on your router's firewall runs contrary to conventional PC security advice. For example, Microsoft says, "You should have a hardware firewall (such as a router) to protect your network, but you should also use a software firewall on each computer to help prevent the spread of a virus in your network if one of the computers becomes infected." (See tinyurl.com/3sp4wtw.)

QI have a couple of reels of Super 8 film I shot during my college days in the early 1970s. Do you know of any companies in the Twin Cities that can transfer the images to a DVD for safekeeping? I'd rather deal with a local firm if possible.

TERRY RETTKE, EAGAN

AThere are several local companies, including Astound Video in Minneapolis and St. Paul (tinyurl.com/3kw2m55), Home Video Studio in Eagan (tinyurl.com/3grk6mr), Saving Tape in Minneapolis (tinyurl.com/3ctz93f), and TC & ME in Plymouth (tinyurl.com/3fywmxg.)

E-mail tech questions to steve.j.alexander @gmail.com, or write to Tech Q&A, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488. Include name, city and telephone number.