D-Link Wireless LAN Problem - Model DI524-UP

Hi My home network is as follows:


DSL-502T Broadband Modem connected to ISP and to a DI-524UP wireless router. I have a ethernet connection to my PC using one of the 4 ethernet ports on the 524, and a printer on the USB printer port. These work fine all of the time, can go anywhere ping anything. No problems - So I know that a copper connection works to the outside world.
-----------HOWEVER---------
We have 2 laptops running 802.11 wifi connections and a PS3 running wifi as well. Intermittently we all lose connection if using wifi to connect to the world.
Web Browser is Firefox (a gimme really), and I have the DNS server addresses in the 502T, so the wifi should just be working as a pass through. but it falls over every 10 - 15 minutes.
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Things I have already tried:
1. Switch off 802 phones - no difference (I took the batteries out for good measure!)
2. Disable the PS3 wifi - no difference.
3. Stopped the boys using their Game Boy advance / micro - you guessed it no difference...
4. Tried to trade the wife for an new model - you guessed it no trade in value - apparently very old unsupported model and no upgrades available anymore....
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If anyone has any ideas please let me know.

 

Does this happen even when the laptops are fairly close to the router?
(Am trying to see if distance or other interference is responsible.)
Is the firmware up to date on the router? - D-Link Firmware 1.7.1
Wireless drivers up to date on everything else?

 

A few basics to check

Power saving ?
Check your laptops proprietary power saving settings in the control panel and/or uncheck "allow turn off this device to save power" in the properties of your wireless adapter (via device manager)

I would also give each device a manual ipv4 address as i have found this helps with my D-Link / vista laptop combo.

Dont underestimate the D-Link firmware update as mentioned below

GL

 

Distances are 3 feet for one device, which often ends up having a ethernet cable in to resolve problems (and then turn off wifi manually). Other device is 30 feet away and 2 dry walls - no metal in walls, all timber framing.

1. Have set the power save settings on the wireless adaptor to OFF.
2. Currently running v1.03 of the firmware but will upgrade today.
3. Originally had static I/P's assigned but removed them when problem persisted.
4. Will assign manual I/Ps if problem persists.

I will post an update tomorrow if all goes well. Otherwise I will go down to my local hardware store and run cat5e everywhere in the house.

 

before you start running cables - what OS's and wifi security type are you running (wep/wpa)

 

I would like to ask if you are running the D-Link software suite, or do you have Windows Wireless Zero running it? I have had conflicts when both are running at the same time.

 

Current PC config's

Desktop running XP SP 3
Toshiba Laptop running XP SP3
Compaq Laptop running Vista
Router wireless config:
WCN: On
Wireless Radio: On
SSID: Vogon (dumb and slow)
Channel: 11
Authentication: WPA-PSK
LAN Settings:
DNS Relay enabled
Static DHCP: Enabled

Wireless Networking is standard: wireless bundled with XP

 

Don't go too crazy yet, and run Cat6 if you break down and decide to pull wire.

How many of the PCs/Laptops have you installed the D-Link software on, if any?

Is the firmware on all the other wireless devices that use the network up to date as well?

 

Looks like I have resolved the problems, have been running for a week now with no wireless drop out.

Did the following:
Disabled all Novell protocols on the LAN & Wireless options.
Disabled all powersave options on the Network adaptors.
Set a static ipv.4 ip address on each device.
Set the DNS look-ups on the individual laptops.
Set the wireless channel to 11.
Upgraded firmware to v 1.7.1 on dlink router.

One or all of the above seems to have fixed things, will leave things alone - if it aint broke don't fix it.

 

Glad to here this has been resolved and thanks for letting us know !!

For others who read this..

My guess is the proprietry network management software of the laptop.
They are notorious for disabling windows network services.

All other cures mentioned certainly could have caused the issue and would be standard trouble shooting steps.

As for

where is the fun in that......
If you break it again - post on MajorGeeks forums :wave

 

Ok all is going well except my Printer hanging off the USB print server has decided to a holiday. Problem is: I can see it through my DI Browser and I have it set up according to DI instruction manual and Canon install guide, but since changing my network settings it can no longer communicate. If however I plug the USB cable directly into the laptop no problems I can switch to the virtual usb print port and print away - but I specifically want a networked printer for all the family.

 

For anyone else reading this....
If you experience timeouts with dlink Model DI524-UP router try disabling dns relay.

Log into your control panel > Click on LAN > Disable DNS RELAY

This fixed all of my drop out issues which were happening approx every 5-10 minutes.

 

I had a Linksys that had wireless connectivity issues with a laptop that had a Wireless G external card. It also had problems with other laptops.

What I ended up doing was uninstalling the Linksys software from the Wireless N router that was on the desktop used to set up the router. We recorded the encryption code, and if we need to change to code, all that you need to to do is install/uninstall the software.

Once Windows Wireless Zero could run and connect through the router without interference from the OEM software, it has worked flawlessly since.