MN-700 Router won't connect to the internet

I have a 2 computer network in my house. We use a Microsoft MN-700 router on
the desktop, and I have a wireless adapter in my laptop. The router will go
down every so often, but I can typically reset everything and it will work
again. It went down last night, and I reset everything (more than once, the
longer it was down.) I called my ISP, and they said it was the router. I
can plug the computer straight into the modem and it works fine, but as soon
as I plug the modem back into the router and the router into the modem,
almost instantly it goes down. I'm getting all the lights I'm supposed to,
so it seems like it should be working. I gave up trying overnight because I
was getting so frustrated, but it's still not working today.

I called Microsoft and they told me it was going to be $35, and I didn't
want to pay that, for something I could probably find just as good or better
instructions online, for what seems like a common problem with this router.
I've looked through the newsgroup, and seen several posts about the MN-700
not being very reliable for several years and having to just get a new one,
so is this my only option? Or is there something I'm not doing, that may can
prolong this router a little while longer?

Thanks for any help!!

 

Jennifer, have you tried the troubleshooting information here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/812951 There is also further information
here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810963 I'd also suggest you check
this Knowledge Base article for the information on updating the firmware on
the MN-700: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/814445

One of the things you could try (despite the ISP blaming the router) is the
next time you lose the connection, try removing the power from the ISP modem
and the MN-700, and let them sit for about three minutes. Then plug in the
modem and let the lights sync up with the feed, then re-plug the power in to
the MN-700. If that syncs things up, the ISP may be resetting their feeds
way too often. It doesn't always have to be the router's fault.