Wireless Networking - really frustrating problems

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by cantthinkof1, Nov 16, 2009.

  1. cantthinkof1

    cantthinkof1 MDL Novice

    Nov 16, 2009
    5
    0
    0
    Right guys,
    Hopefully some of you can help me out here with this seriously head wrecking problem I am having with my home network.

    Hardware:
    2 x Dell Latitude X200's running Win XP SP3
    1 x Toshiba Equium running Win7 Ultimate 32 Bit
    1 x Acer 6935G running Win7 Ultimate 64Bit

    Belkin ADSL Router G+ wireless modem running latest firmware

    Over the last few weeks I have been experiencing multiple issues on my home network namely:
    • Connect to router but no internet connection
    • Fail to connect to router at all
    • Lose connection to internet randomly on 1 pc with all others working fine
    • Cant ping router but can logon to router via web browser

    I was using a Dlink router that I have had for about 6 years so I bought the belkin 2 weeks ago and it hasn't helped at all.

    Sometimes I get onto network no problem then randomly don't connect. to solve it I do the following:
    • On the WinXP machines reset the wireless adapter and that often works.
    • Restart the PC's
    • Restart router
    • DO nothing and connection is restored

    I have tried the following aswell:
    • Switched of DHCP at the router.
    • Assigned each pc its own IP address with refrence to gateway & subnet
    • set DNS as same IP as gateway 10.1.1.1
    • Tried switching off NetBIOS
    • Bought a new router!!!!
    • Changed radio channel incase some other device is operating on same channel e.g. cordless phone, neighbours wirelss etc.
    I have also tried the following:
    • Scratched my head till its bald
    • Shouted at router and computers

    IP settings are: Gateway 10.1.1.1 Subnet 255.0.0.0
    Security is WPA PSK. Have tried WEP & no security no difference to problem

    Any ideas?:mad::eek:
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  2. 2centsworth

    2centsworth MDL Senior Member

    Feb 12, 2008
    333
    24
    10
    The question is:

    Is the DSL modem the problem (dropping sync or other errata) or the router.

    First we need to eliminate one or the other.

    Our motto is: Change one thing at a time and test for reliability.

    Directly connecting to the modem with a single PC as well as logging into the modem interface and monitoring logs to see if you have connectivity issues. If your connection is rock solid for a long period of time, we assume the modem is okay and move onto the router.

    First update the routers firmware.

    Reset the router, and enable logging to see if connectivity issues are logged (turn on log everything)

    Connect one computer via patch cable to the router and test for reliability.

    Once everything works wired, we troubleshoot wireless.

    Changing channels, and locations of the base station and or external antennas will eventually solve your problem. Looking at signal and noise levels on client ends whiletesting gives some insight too.

    2 biggest issues with wifi are interference (signals and noise both) and obstacles that block signals.

    Upate all wired and wireless clients drivers, especially Realtek and Intel drivers.

    These are some starting points.
     
  3. genuine555

    genuine555 MDL Expert

    Oct 3, 2009
    1,672
    88
    60
    One question, the connectivity issue...does it happen on ALL pc's, or only the x64 one ?
     
  4. johndenver3210

    johndenver3210 MDL Novice

    Nov 20, 2009
    2
    0
    0
    Not sure about all PC's. I've never had that problem, but maybe someone a bit more experienced could answer this one.
     
  5. genuine555

    genuine555 MDL Expert

    Oct 3, 2009
    1,672
    88
    60
    I'd say it's the x64 machine messing things up. It is known that in home networks, x86 and x64 don't get along too well.
    Especially file and printer sharing, but can mess up other things too.