[15appletree]

My D-Link DI-740 works OK on ports 1 and 2, but ports 3 and 4 flash rapidly and don't connect. All 4 worked OK in the past. I recently moved to another house and the router may have been knocked around a bit. Is there any way to restore it -- or is it trash? (I want to network a PC and 2 Macs, one of which is an old G4 that cannot support Airport -- hence I need a wired router.) I use a cable modem.

[ghporter]

Alas, just about any consumer router that has ports fail is, as far as those bad ports go, hosed. It isn't worth anyone's time to open them up and say "Yep, those ports are fried."

A consumer router is made up of two parts: a router that examines the data and determines where it should go, and a full duplex high speed switch. The part of your router you're having problems with is the switch. Now for the good news: if you don't want to buy a new router, you can buy JUST A SWITCH for not too much money, hook it to either of the working ports, and hook all the computers to the switch. Ta DA! All will work! Even better, most "SOHO" switches don't even need your attention to configure them!

[15appletree]

Hello, Glenn
Many thanks for your reply and encouraging words. Can you suggest where I can buy a duplex switch? Is it a device that fits into my present router? I looked on the web, but "router switch" brings up routers. The price of a new 4-port router is around $50, which is OK with me. So unless I can find a duplex switch somewhere, maybe a new router may be my best choise. What to you advise?

[15appletree]

Hello, again
Well, I'm back to answer my own question. (I seem to do that frequently). I bought a switch at Radio Shack for $29, plugged it all in -- and ta-da -- you are right. No conguration needed.
Thanks again. This forum never fails.