Yet another computer nerd thread
 

Ok, I have a big problem. My wireless connection goes on and off. I thought it was my old PC, but it turns out that now I have my new wireless lap top, it also disconnects and reconnects at various times. It can be 3 days, 3 hours, or 30 seconds.

what wireless router do you have?

have you tried it with it connected with a wire?

do you like buttsecks?

all of the above pertains to said problem

D-link router

My father's computer that I am on now is fine, with zero problems connecting to internet. Computer is wired into router, so I assume that this is the problem.

No

check for a firmware upgrade. does your laptop disconnect when connected through an ethernet cable? where is the router located? by appliances? are you far from the router when it happens or can you be next to it and have the same problem occur?

Al, is this the same issue that you had when you first setup the wireless quite a while ago, and the computer in your room would cut in and out due to lack of signal?

- Justin

Correct. And yes, even if I have the lap top downstairs, I also loose the signal. Now my brother's computer hasnt worked in a while, and it also uses a wireless card.
I am gunna try to look for new updates, but since I have had this problem twice now with two different computers, Imthinking its a signal problem. I will have to ask my brother if he is getting the same problem.

So you lose signal even if the laptop has a clear line of sight to the router?

- Justin

Last time, yes. I was in the kitchen, where my router is, and it still am loosing signal.
Now Im starting to think that it might be the laptop.
Its almost like it pulses. Anyone who has talked to me on AIM knows that I sign on and off, and I know its annoying.

Oh yes, and to kind of throw a wrench into the mix...when I go to my GF's apartment, she also has wireless. I never disconnect there. Zero problems.

Well, the only way to really test whether the problem is your laptop or the router is to bring in another laptop that you know has properly working wireless, and see if the same thing happens.

Just have to ask this to be sure.....your laptop is definitely connecting to your router, right? I was having signal issues with my wife's laptop some a few weeks ago, and after a few days I finally realized that Vista was connecting to my neighbor's unsecured wireless router rather than connecting to ours.....

- Justin

Yep, I was connecting to my network. We labled it as well. I also need to find a way to secure it. For some reason when I put up the security settings, i cannot get into the server nor will it prompt me for any type of password.

If you never have any issues at teh wifey's house, then chances are good that the problem lies with the router. Could be a physical problem with it....

- Justin

whats the model number of the router? check D-links website for Firmware upgrades. this upgrades the software inside the router

kitchen appliances could also be causing issues/interference. if possible, move it into another room. first check for the firmware updates. u could always call the company and go through their diagnostic tree till they find the problem or conclude u have an effed router.

It definetly sounds like a router problem to me. Did you try changing the channel? Do you run a 2.4 Ghz cordless phone?

I did change the channel, turned it up to 11. For some reason, the signal strength dropped out some what. We dont use our house phone much, so its not that big of a deal, and I have used the phone and went onto my laptop just to see what would happen, and nothing.
There are 3-4 other networks around my house at this time, but all are secured. Right now, I seem to be having no problem. Is it possible that when my brother turns on his computer, that we are fighting for the same bandwith? Im not 100% on that.
I had a Linksys router before, and it was worse then this. Before it would connect, but I would not be able to actually access the internet. Yeah..dunno. I would have to restart the router or computer constantly. I thought about getting a signal booster, but dont know if thats going to help at all.

uhm are there splitters before the cable you run to the router? i had a splitter with a bunch of cable wires and my router did the same thing, only it wasn't wireless. It wouldn't stay on that long and keep resetting.

No need to check that, as only the wireless seems to be affected here. Wired connections have no issues, right Al?

- Justin

line of sight is not that important these days. other wireless routers in the neighborhood are, however, a big problem. is there a way for you to name and save a configuration for your wireless connection with your router in the mix? that was the way i solved my problem. seems someone else in the neighborhood has a linksys router and i would constantly connect to that one. nothing worked, not internet, not email, not messenger, nothing. i got tired of it happening, so i read the owner's manual, and they said to save my configuration while connected to my router - bingo, problem solved.

I did, and the other routers are seperated and I connect to my network. So far Ive had a connection for an hour now...but it will go on and off.
I think its just a signal problem. What is weird is that it goes from strong signal to poor in a matter of seconds.

There's your problem.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124190

There's your solution.

Thats a big neg. I replaced a Linksys with the DLink. I purchased a Linksys router and that did nothing but collect dust. Even the hard wired computer didnt connect to the internet half the time. I also purchased those USB wireless cards, and trying to get them to sync up with the security system...uggggggggggggh.
Even when they did connect, it was in worse shape then this.

So far, going by my AIM log in time, I have been on for 15 hrs 2 mins. Dunno what happend.

But now my little brother's Xbox 360 controler keeps turning off and on. My dad replaced the batteries, but apparently that didnt fix the problem.

not all linksys' are good, but that one is. then again i know how it is to be "scared" of a type of brand *coughASUScough*

so here is an alternative

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833122016

I was having similar problems about a year ago. The wireless access point would lock up and then shortly after that all the wired computers would lose connection as well. Every few hours my connection would drop out. My friend came over and looked at the log in the router and said the cable company we were using was sending out signals to lock up 3rd party hardware. Had all Linksys hardware at the time. Put in an Apple Airport and have had no problems since.

i have that problem as well. the cable company blames the router company, but i know it's the cable company's fault. to see it go from 54Mbps to 11Mbps within a few seconds... that is not supposed to happen. no interference from any outside appliance, either, when it happens. it's not like the fridge turns on and suddenly my connection drops. that would be an easy diagnosis.

dunno.

edit: oh yeah, and the cable company came out and installed a new hard line that runs through the attic. it comes in the house on one end, runs through the attic and then drops down in my step-son's room at the other end of the house. they said because of the splitters we were using that we were actually degrading the signal. guess what? no change with the new connect. f**k it.