Moody wireless DSL connection problem

I have recently set up a wireless router (a Netopia 3347) so that all the computers at home could have access to the joys of DSL broadband without the worry of endless kilometres of cables.

However, I recently started to have certain problems with one of the computers (an Acer Centrino laptop). Generally when I start the computer everything works fine, but sometimes at random it disconnects from the router and I am left Internet-less for any amount of time... Sometimes it reconnects seconds later, at other times it can take 15 minutes. All this while the router is on and other computers continue to surf without a problem. The other 'common' computers are both Centrinos (another Acer and a Dell) so it can't be a problem with the chipset as I heard was sometimes the case. I am not placed close to any device which might cause interferences either, such as microwaves for example.

A year ago, I had a similar problem with another computer on another type of broadband connection which didn't require any Wireless technology; this leads me to believe that it isn't related to the hardware, but perhaps to some kind of virus or trojan or whatever? Somehow it went away, but I can't remember how.

Could anybody help? Any suggestions as to what the cause might be? And why does it only appear now? The computer is pretty new, but I've used the Net heavily and would have realised if something was wrong from the start. It came out of the shop a month ago, already a replacement for one I bought in January that stopped working two weeks after I bought it. Because of this, I'd rather not phone Acer just yet, as I feel they might bazooka me for having the computer that always fails... It's also difficult to show a technician a problem that only happens when it's in the mood for it. Any help would hence be much appreciated.

Truly sorry if this topic has already been discussed, I'm new to the forum and don't know how to search it.

Thanks in advance,

e_737

 

there is an option in the wireless connection properties that is 802 something authentication, uncheck that and see if it helps. My friend had a similar problem and disabling the authentication worked.

 

Thanks for your reply, but I can't seem to find the option you are talking about! Could you explain it step-by-step? I tried the properties menu of the wireless connection port, but to no avail...

 

start control panel > Network connections > Wireless > Properties > Wireless networks

Select your network name in the bottom box

Choose properties

Authentication

Uncheck everything



Apply
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK (however many there are)

 

May be this can Help:

Link to: How to Fix Cable/DSL Internet authentication (password).

Link to: Optimizing & Measuring the "Speed" of Internet Connection.

 

Actually the option you suggested is actually off Wookie on my comp because I haven't protected the router with the WEP key yet, the house the Wireless router is located in is isolated in the countryside so I saw no need for it. Could putting the WEP key actually help?

I'm thinking about some kind of security feature that would kick in once there are any interferences and would block the access to the Internet as a safety in case somebody was tampering with it. We are at the brink of mobile coverage here (isolated, I tell you) and so mobile phones should theoretically emit stronger signal because of that. Would such a feature exist? A thing that makes me believe such a situation is that sometimes, if I close the ISP-provided software and let Windows do it all by itself, it works fine, though not always. Perhaps a security setting with that software?

As well I discovered that it also depended on where I put the comp in the house, there are sites where it often doesn't work and others where it usually does. Sometimes moving it by a metre can change things. Really intriguing.

Thanks for the reply cat5e, will check that out.

e_737

 

Have you checked out whether the machine can use the connection Wired?

Have you tried configuring this laptop with a static IP address? (Network connections, right click connetion, properties, hilight TCP/IP, properties, static IP....) I've known XP DHCP with routrers not to quite work as planned.

 

Thanks for you reply goldfish!

Yes it worked each time I plugged it in to the router, but it's hard to say if the problem never occurs while wired because most of the time in wireless mode it works fine as well. It just occasionally starts having attitude problems and it's pretty annoying when it happens, especially since this is the only laptop affected.

I don't think I can put a static IP address because it's actually an option that I would have to pay my ISP an additional CHF 70 (USD 55) a month for, which I find excessive. I don't find it worth the expense even if it would solve the problem. Or can one put a static IP without actually having to pay for it?