Wireless Question

[Agent007]

Just moved into my new apartment and have wireless set up. Using a netgear B router and a Dlink card in my laptop. Unfortunately for me, every 2-20 minutes, my signal dies and i have to pop out the wireless card, stick it back in and the internet goes back to working fine...I changed the channel from 11 to 4 and it seems to be a BIT better, but not much...

Needless to say, this is very annoying and I would like to solve this problem. It sounds like a problem with the wireless card to me, but I cannot be sure. Has anyone had a similar experience and can explain to me what the weakest part of my wireless system is so that it can be replaced?

I am thinking about buying the Belkin Pre-N router and wireless card which together have SUPERIOR performance ratings from CNET, and are supposed to be able to achieve a much higher distance range and transmission speed than any other router/card combination out there...

Thoughts?

 

[horn blooded]

Update the card's driver and the WAP firmware. DO NOT update the WAP firmware over a wireless connection. Connect directly to the device first.

I wouldn't get the Pre-N router. There isn't a 802.11n standard in place yet. The router may not be compatible once the standard is set.

Try a D-Link Di-624. ($59-$25 rebate at TigerDirect). I've used one for over a year and have not had any problems. The D-Link card is DWL-G650 ($46-$15 rebate).

I have these two running in my office and the current run time is about 3 weeks without losing a connection. I really should shut that laptop down more often.

 

[horn blooded]

BTW. I'm running Win2000. I am not using XP SP2. Apparently, a particular XP update is the source of a lot of wireless headaches.

 

[gunnerhorn]

Since Pre-N is already out, you might as well go for it. I always stick with the same brand for everything wireless after having bad experiences with different brands. That's not to say it's common, because other people have different branded wireless things working in harmony.

Just get the Belkin router/card combo and see how it works for you. If not, Netgear has always served me well...

 

[longhornjoe03]

What horn blooded said.

 

[wherzwaldo]

In reply to:

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[Agent007]

Ok - i upgraded the driver on the card - gonna see how it works for a few days, and if the connection continues to drop... I will probably buy a new card...

I am gonna see if my roommate (who has a DELL with built in wireless) has the same problems as I do...if not, then it has to be my card...

 

[dustin_c1]

One possible cause is a 2.4Ghz cordless phone. 802.11b/g devices use the same frequency band as some cordless phones (2.4Ghz phones are being phased out but are by far the most common cordless around right now). Using a 2.4Ghz cordless phone can cause interference with a wireless network that ranges from reduced performance to dropped connections.

If you have a 2.4ghz cordless phone, chunk it. If you live in an apartment, find out if your neighbors use 2.4ghz cordless phones. If so, you can offer to buy them a new 900mhz or 5ghz phone. Or you can move to 802.11a, which operates at 5ghz and doesn't have the interference problems with 5ghz phones that 802.11b/g have with 2.4ghz phones. Those phones wreak havoc on wireless connections.

 

[Agent007]

yeah i've thought about switching to A for that exact reason - anyone recommend an A router??

 

[wherzwaldo]

The signal strength of 802.11a is much weaker and more prone to obstruction. Plus, it would be easier and cheaper to just replace your cordless phone than find a router and adapter capable of 802.11a.