Checking WIFI NIC

_dinsdale_ · 11-28-2006, 07:18 PM

Hi all,

The network connection to my Desktop PC via WIFI is very unreliable. When the signal gets very low or non existant (and for no apparent reason) I sometimes get benefit by rebooting the router, but this is only short term solution and the signal strength wanders up and down again.

This problem has only started recently, up til now it has been a very strong consistent link. Nothing has changed in my set up and my portable phones don't conflict.

I suspect it could be the D-Link NIC dying because my laptop, sitting next to my desktop connects to the same router well and constantly. But how can I check it? XP SP2

Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Dins

**johnwill** · 11-29-2006, 01:17 PM

I think I'd start by changing the channel in the router. The top suspect is probably interference from another wireless network or cordless phone that has just recently been installed.

_dinsdale_ · 11-29-2006, 08:09 PM

Thanks, I'll give it a try

dins

_dinsdale_ · 12-01-2006, 03:23 PM

Thanks JW for your advice so far.

Changed the router channel from 6 to 10. Didn't see any real improvement. Then changed it to 1. It certainly made a significant improvement, but still not as reliable as it once was.

I used netstumbler to find other networks and there is nothing it can find that is on the same channel.

Is there anything else I can try?

Dins

**johnwill** · 12-01-2006, 03:30 PM

Well, you need to see if there are any wireless phones nearby, are you in an apartment/townhouse, or a single home? How close are the nearest neighbors.

The fact that changing channels has an effect seems to indicate it's interference.

_dinsdale_ · 12-03-2006, 05:44 PM

JW
I live in a single double brick house inside which is my wifi network. I can only detect one external network which I'm guessing is a neighbour also running wifi in their brick house over the fence, they run on Channel 11.

Still don't understand why my laptop has no problem but my desktop does... the only significant hardware difference is the NIC.

My cordless phone system, which I have had for much longer than this problem, is 5.8 gigaherz digital.

Could it be a neighbours new phone system? And if it is, what can I do about it?

Dins

**johnwill** · 12-04-2006, 06:52 AM

It could be a neighbor's phone system, that's probably high on the list. One way to help your situation would be to install a Hi-Gain antenna, either directional or omni-directional, depending on where the wireless clients and the router are located. Hi-Gain™ WiFi Range Extending Antennas. Another thing that might also help is to boost your router's signal strength with something like this [HSB2] Hi-Gain WiFi Signal Booster.

_dinsdale_ · 12-04-2006, 01:20 PM

OK thanks for all your help.

Dins

11-28-2006, 07:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
_dinsdale_ Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sydney OZ Posts: 151 OS: Win98SE/XP SP2 Home	Checking WIFI NIC Hi all, The network connection to my Desktop PC via WIFI is very unreliable. When the signal gets very low or non existant (and for no apparent reason) I sometimes get benefit by rebooting the router, but this is only short term solution and the signal strength wanders up and down again. This problem has only started recently, up til now it has been a very strong consistent link. Nothing has changed in my set up and my portable phones don't conflict. I suspect it could be the D-Link NIC dying because my laptop, sitting next to my desktop connects to the same router well and constantly. But how can I check it? XP SP2 Any other suggestions? Thanks in advance Dins

11-29-2006, 01:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,857 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	I think I'd start by changing the channel in the router. The top suspect is probably interference from another wireless network or cordless phone that has just recently been installed. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-01-2006, 03:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,857 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Well, you need to see if there are any wireless phones nearby, are you in an apartment/townhouse, or a single home? How close are the nearest neighbors. The fact that changing channels has an effect seems to indicate it's interference. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-04-2006, 06:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,857 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	It could be a neighbor's phone system, that's probably high on the list. One way to help your situation would be to install a Hi-Gain antenna, either directional or omni-directional, depending on where the wireless clients and the router are located. Hi-Gain™ WiFi Range Extending Antennas. Another thing that might also help is to boost your router's signal strength with something like this [HSB2] Hi-Gain WiFi Signal Booster. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

11-29-2006, 08:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
_dinsdale_ Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sydney OZ Posts: 151 OS: Win98SE/XP SP2 Home	Thanks, I'll give it a try dins

12-01-2006, 03:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
_dinsdale_ Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sydney OZ Posts: 151 OS: Win98SE/XP SP2 Home	Thanks JW for your advice so far. Changed the router channel from 6 to 10. Didn't see any real improvement. Then changed it to 1. It certainly made a significant improvement, but still not as reliable as it once was. I used netstumbler to find other networks and there is nothing it can find that is on the same channel. Is there anything else I can try? Dins

12-03-2006, 05:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
_dinsdale_ Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sydney OZ Posts: 151 OS: Win98SE/XP SP2 Home	JW I live in a single double brick house inside which is my wifi network. I can only detect one external network which I'm guessing is a neighbour also running wifi in their brick house over the fence, they run on Channel 11. Still don't understand why my laptop has no problem but my desktop does... the only significant hardware difference is the NIC. My cordless phone system, which I have had for much longer than this problem, is 5.8 gigaherz digital. Could it be a neighbours new phone system? And if it is, what can I do about it? Dins

12-04-2006, 01:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
_dinsdale_ Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sydney OZ Posts: 151 OS: Win98SE/XP SP2 Home	OK thanks for all your help. Dins