Help me with my new Wireless router??

[kippax]

As per other post on here I have just bought a wireless router as per below could anyone help with my problems?? Main one is it keeps disconnecting every few minutes & I have to do a repair & re-connect to go back online? (it didn't do this when I was connected to someone elses network for a couple of days!!)

Right after 3 hours! I managed to get my wireless connection set up & working but I still have a couple of questions.

1. Why does my connection keep disapearing (Could it be new laptop related as opposed to network) after a period of time I lose the connection & I have to right click on repair on the wireless network icon & it re-enables & re-connects saying requesting new ip address then all is fine for a while again?
2. How do I secure the network as have I have spent the last few days on someone elses wireless connection (without it disconnecting!) I am keen to make sure someone else cannot do the same with me.

Thanks Again
Howard.





Thanks
Howard

[BliarOut]

Sounds like your router is on a frequency close to the neighbours, there should be a seperation of three channels between adjacent access points. Don't know how to set the channel on your particular model, but if it has an auto setting, put it to that and reboot it.

Don't try to resolve the security issues until it's stable!

[scorp]

To secure it, use a WEP key (should be able to find that in your config screen somewhere). You know it is active if all your wireless clients need a key to get on the network the first time you set up WEP.

[BliarOut]

Ah,

Setup > Basic Setup > Wireless. Set the channel to 5. At this stage my money is on the neighbours being on channel 1 as well.

If that works, you can Set up the security

[mcflurry]

IMHO don't attempt to start doing the security until everything is up and running for 24 hours or so... the WEP etc just complicates the matter

[TheExcession]

BliarOut said:

Sounds like your router is on a frequency close to the neighbours, there should be a seperation of three channels between adjacent access points. Don't know how to set the channel on your particular model, but if it has an auto setting, put it to that and reboot it. Don't try to resolve the security issues until it's stable!

Normally, you'd aim to run about 5 channels in separation. Typically people choose 1, 6 or 12.

If you can get your laptop connected long enough, down load a copy of netstumbler, it will scan all the wireless channels for you and you can pick one that isn't being used.

Additionally it will plot a graph showing signal/noise ratio for your AP, you'll be able to see if there is a lot of noise/interference on the channel.

Don't forget that microwave ovens and DECT phones are a major contribution of interefrence on WiFi networks. If you have a cordless phone it will be causing you problems so try and separate them.

Again, netstumbler is the tool to look at what's going on in the WiFi spectrum around you.

[fazz81]

I have just bought a new laptop, and have started experiencing my wireless network disconnecting. I know that the network is OK as I have 2 other PC's that work fine. After hours on the phone to HP support i was told i had a compatability problem between the router and network card. So i did a bit of my own investigating. I found that the network card in my laptop had known issues with keeping a connection to do with power saving settings. Its a Intel Pro/Wireless 2200BG. I have downloaded the latest drivers and software and all seems to be OK. Remebered reading this post and thought it may help.

Cheers
Simon

[pallison]

Agreed! I had similar issues with my wireless connection dropping and needing to be repaired or the laptop (IBM ThinkPad) rebooted to get the connection back. This was a problem using both WinXP(SP2) or the IBM Access Connections software to manage the wirless link. I tried all sorts of messing about until found the mini-PCI wireless card settings and set the power management mode to none (it was defaulting to maximum). Aftwards the wirless link connects automatically as soon XP starts up, and I've had no more problems (touch wood!).

Edited to add:

After you have a stable connection, get either WEP (or preferably WPA-PSK if your hardware supports it) encryption set up. For WPA, use as long a key as you can easily type and write down without error (up to 63 chars and use a mix of letters and numbers).

It's also a good idea to configure your router to accept only the MAC address of the wireless system(s) you will be using. All routers are different, so check your user guide for instructions on how to do this. There's little benefit in turning off the SSID broadcast, so I don't bother.

With both of these done, your wireless connection will be as secure as it can be.


>> Edited by pallison on Thursday 10th November 09:48

[kippax]

fazz81 said:

I have just bought a new laptop, and have started experiencing my wireless network disconnecting. I know that the network is OK as I have 2 other PC's that work fine. After hours on the phone to HP support i was told i had a compatability problem between the router and network card. So i did a bit of my own investigating. I found that the network card in my laptop had known issues with keeping a connection to do with power saving settings. Its a Intel Pro/Wireless 2200BG. I have downloaded the latest drivers and software and all seems to be OK. Remebered reading this post and thought it may help. Cheers Simon

Just checked my laptop & I have the same Intel pro wireless 2200bg so can I ask where you downloaded the latest drivers from? Do you have a link?

Thanks
Howard.

[kippax]

kippax said:

fazz81 said: I have just bought a new laptop, and have started experiencing my wireless network disconnecting. I know that the network is OK as I have 2 other PC's that work fine. After hours on the phone to HP support i was told i had a compatability problem between the router and network card. So i did a bit of my own investigating. I found that the network card in my laptop had known issues with keeping a connection to do with power saving settings. Its a Intel Pro/Wireless 2200BG. I have downloaded the latest drivers and software and all seems to be OK. Remebered reading this post and thought it may help. Cheers Simon Just checked my laptop & I have the same Intel pro wireless 2200bg so can I ask where you downloaded the latest drivers from? Do you have a link? Thanks Howard.

By the way tried the right click option & it says I have the most up to date drivers installed?

Howard.

[fazz81]

Hi,

The link is [url]http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scrip[/url]
its a big download as it includes the latest drivers and a new wireless connection tool.

Check your drivers are v9.0.3.9, if not, this should fix it.
not sure how the windows update driver works, got a feeling it may just check your pc for updated drivers.

Cheers
Simon

>> Edited by fazz81 on Thursday 10th November 12:08

[leosayer]

fazz81 said:

I have just bought a new laptop, and have started experiencing my wireless network disconnecting. I know that the network is OK as I have 2 other PC's that work fine. After hours on the phone to HP support i was told i had a compatability problem between the router and network card. So i did a bit of my own investigating. I found that the network card in my laptop had known issues with keeping a connection to do with power saving settings. Its a Intel Pro/Wireless 2200BG. I have downloaded the latest drivers and software and all seems to be OK. Remebered reading this post and thought it may help. Cheers Simon

Sorry for bringing up this old thread but I followed your advice when having similar problems with my new laptop. I now use the Intel software with the new drivers to connect rather than the windows one. Hope it still works when I get home tonight.