Another Wireless Question . . .

[Happygirl]

I have an issue with my wireless. I am guessing it is the internal card, but I just wanted to know if anyone else had other ideas before I go buy a USB or PCMCIA wireless card.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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I have Verizon DSL, and have a combination modem/wireless router. My laptop has an internal wireless card ( there is a switch on the side to turn it on) The problem is I am constantly loosing my connection to the point of having to reboot the computer every 5 minutes. My router is secured so I don’t think anyone is stealing my signal. Another family member has a laptop and has no issues staying connected. I have also had this problem when I have tried to use wireless at hotels.

TIA!!

 

[RadioPatrol]

Manufacturer:
OS:
Last Time a Drive UP date was done:
Windows Update:

 

[Happygirl]

Toshiba Satelite Pro
XP professional
last week
runs automaticly, not sure of the date

 

[dn0121]

remove all security from your router and see if you still have the problem. this is a common problem with wifi security. if this works then add back security but try different types. if you live in a place where no one else is around turn off your security all together. you dont need it. either way make sure you have the latest wireless drivers on your computer, and stable firmware on your router.

 

[vanbells]

I've always had bad luck with Satellite Pro's. It's not a 6100 series is it?

 

[Happygirl]

remove all security from your router and see if you still have the problem. this is a common problem with wifi security. if this works then add back security but try different types. if you live in a place where no one else is around turn off your security all together. you dont need it. either way make sure you have the latest wireless drivers on your computer, and stable firmware on your router.

Thanks I will try removing the security. There are people around so I don't really want to keep it off.
I did update the drivers but that did not help
I would have no idea how to figure out what firmware is on the router. Is that something I can access through the device configuration?

 

[Happygirl]

I've always had bad luck with Satellite Pro's. It's not a 6100 series is it?

Mine is an MX30 or M30X I have had it for about 4 years and have never had a problem with it, but I pretty much only use it for email & intenet. The wireless card did not even come with it. I had that installed a couple of years ago.

 

[dn0121]

Thanks I will try removing the security. There are people around so I don't really want to keep it off.
I did update the drivers but that did not help
I would have no idea how to figure out what firmware is on the router. Is that something I can access through the device configuration?

Well the firmware is on the router itself. Try disabling the security though first and start from scratch. If that works then build up the security from there.

 

[Nitro]

Yea. What they said. RESET the router. Usually a recessed button on the router. Hold it in with a pen for 30 seconds. Keep in mind that the name (SSID) of your wireless signal will change, if you changed it from whatever the default is. This will remove all security. Hopefully that will solve your problems. If it does, try adding WEP (good) encryption first. If that works, try WPA (better) encryption. Ensure the drivers for you internal wireless card are up-to-date. Old firmware does not work well with WPA.

**Do not run your wireless without WEP or WPA encryption! If someone surfs child pron on your signal, plan on a not-so-friendly visit from ICE.**

 

[dn0121]

**Do <layer id="google-toolbar-hilite-19" style="background-color: Cyan; color: black;">not</layer> run your <layer id="google-toolbar-hilite-2" style="background-color: Yellow; color: black;">wireless</layer> without WEP or WPA encryption! If someone surfs child pron on your signal, plan on a <layer id="google-toolbar-hilite-20" style="background-color: Cyan; color: black;">not</layer>-so-friendly visit from ICE.**

Don't agree with that, but that is just my opinion. If you can run your wireless with security then you should do it. It doesn't mean that you can't be easily hacked, if someone is bored enough to do it.

Also remember to set a router password that is at least longer then 6 characters and contains upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols.

 

[Happygirl]

Just a question, if it is the router, why would it work with one laptop and not the other??

TIA!!

 

[JustTheFax]

How far apart is the computer to the router? Try moving the router.

You maybe able to have better antenna on the router.

You can also get a wireless repeater about 1/2 the distance between the computer and router.

Some internal wifi cards do not work as well as external cards.

If the two lap tops are side by side does the one stay connected ok?

 

[vanbells]

Mine is an MX30 or M30X I have had it for about 4 years and have never had a problem with it, but I pretty much only use it for email & intenet. The wireless card did not even come with it. I had that installed a couple of years ago.

Wait, wait, wait. I thought you said it was internal? Did you buy an optional wireless one from Toshiba? Because usually you won't have the on/off button when you buy it separately.

Which standard of wi-fi does your wireless network card support:
802.11a
802.11b
802.11g

 

[Happygirl]

How far apart is the computer to the router? Try moving the router.

You maybe able to have better antenna on the router.

You can also get a wireless repeater about 1/2 the distance between the computer and router.

Some internal wifi cards do not work as well as external cards.

If the two lap tops are side by side does the one stay connected ok?

10 - 15 feet

and yes, his stays connected mine will not

 

[dn0121]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 4.01; Windows CE; PPC; 240x320))

How far apart is the computer to the router? Try moving the router.

You maybe able to have better antenna on the router.

You can also get a wireless repeater about 1/2 the distance between the computer and router.

Some internal wifi cards do not work as well as external cards.

If the two lap tops are side by side does the one stay connected ok?

10 - 15 feet

and yes, his stays connected mine will not

still could be security. it is so simple to start from scratch and eliminate issues this way.

 

[Happygirl]

Wait, wait, wait. I thought you said it was internal? Did you buy an optional wireless one from Toshiba? Because usually you won't have the on/off button when you buy it separately.

Which standard of wi-fi does your wireless network card support:
802.11a
802.11b
802.11g

I thought the laptop came with a wireless card, but 2 years after I got it I tried to setup the wireless and it did not work. I had the extended warranty through Toshiba and they had me take it to annapolis computers. Who found out it did not come with a wireless card. So for $50.00 I had them install an internal wireless card. When it did not work I first assumed that I had something messed up in the setup. Then my uncle got his laptop and it worked just fine. . . .

Mine supports 802.11g.

 

[GWguy]

I was having issues with security and performance, so I disabled all security and enabled MAC address filtering. Only my laptop and one other that I have in the address table can access the router. No one else can/will try to use my service, so turning off security is no big deal.

 

[dn0121]

I was having issues with security and performance, so I disabled all security and enabled MAC address filtering. Only my laptop and one other that I have in the address table can access the router. No one else can/will try to use my service, so turning off security is no big deal.

well you could always mac spoof, or intercept your wireless in transmission. of course someone could also just tap a splitter into your outside cable line and get it that way. they could listen into your phone calls on cordless phones. get your credit card statement even if shreded and tape it back together. this could go on an on.

I run no security on my router (ssid is not broadcast, but that is easy enough to hack) my pcs are secured. i removed my antennas from my router. unless you are sitting outside my house your not getting on. if you want to spend the money on a wireless card with a really good antenna to get on my wireless so be it. i have more then enough bandwidth.

 

[BOP]

Thanks I will try removing the security. There are people around so I don't really want to keep it off.
I did update the drivers but that did not help
I would have no idea how to figure out what firmware is on the router. Is that something I can access through the device configuration?

Read the material that came with the router. It should provide a url to type into your web browser that takes you to a web interface that allows you to access information about your router (including software/firmware versions). It allows you to set passwords, access, update firmware, and so on. Resetting the router should always be a last resort, only because it resets all the settings you've put in. It won't damage anything, it just increases your aggravation level.

One of the things I had to do on my laptop, which is wireless, is set a static IP address in the router. Your internet provider updates your IP address every 24 hours (I think); with everything on our network set to the default of acquiring a dynamic address, things kept getting hosed up every day. By assigning all the computers, printers, and so on within the network a static address, I made it so that only the router itself's IP address changed.

I also have to use the Windows XP zero configuration to manage my access from my laptop, which means I have to tell it to repair every so often (usually when I reboot). What it's doing, I think, is deleting the IP address that it was assigned by the router (choosing from a range I set in the interface), and acquiring a new one within the range. I'm guessing that Windows Zero configuration doesn't do static IP addresses.

All this is self-taught, from years of doinking with computers (from the days when PCs ran on DOS), searching the internet, and having pretty good diagnostic skills...and a lot of patience!

Hope some of that helps. Don't ask me anything else, cuz that's about all I know!

 

[clevalley]

Do you have other devices operating at 2.4 GHZ? I would be you might be experience interference from another wireless device... wireless phones or neighbors are always a good starting point.

Doubt if its security - you either authenticate and/or decrypt or you don't. It is not intermittent.