network indicators lying to me?

[ir803]

I've just bought my wife a new laptop, I'm trying to set it up on my home network. a couple of issues have arrisen.
I can connect to the internet via my router, BUT even though it is selected as the prefered network and the password is correct the connection drops intermitently wether I'm downstairs or next to the router. It doesn't always reconnect. My router is fine coz my ibook connects instantly and stays connected.
When the dell laptop is connected the wireless connection icon at the bottom of the screen says I'm not ????

On her previous latop i set up file sharing which worked fine, it is set up still on my home PC and again my ibook has no issue EVER sharing with the folder.
however the new dell laptop refuses to see the shared folder when I'm trying to map the drive. I've got the computer name and folder name correctly but it just can't see it. I have disabled my firewall but that doesn't help either.

I'm a bit stuck, any ideas??

[smz]

are the settings on the router for G only? B only? Both? or by chance to you have "A"? You may see the answer "Mixed" which is fine.

also security is not always supported on the client end until service packs are applied. THere are several factors. i would try going in the clear from from the beginning and allow SSID broadcasting and no password. After that take one step at a time if you have connectivity.

[TheMatt]

Hi,

It addition to Scott's suggestion, you should make sure each computer is on the same workgroup.

[ir803]

Thanks for the response guys , I eventually got the network visible. I had to turn off the router's firewall and all other firewalls on my PC and laptop I then could see the network. Also I am using AVG antivirus and Comodo pro firewall on the laptop this had to be turned off to connect to the internet and then turned back on and then settings altered to allow connection. It all seems to run fine now APART from the laptop losing the wireless connection for no apparent reason, then most of the time reconnecting but sometimes I have to do it manually, I have the settings set to connect to network when available and it's set up in my prefered list.
Any ideas why it should drop the connection ??
I don't get this with my mac (god I love my mac )

[ir803]

just found something else that's probably contributing to this problem, my laptop keeps removing the WEP key that i typed, and therefore losing the network connection.
when I tyoe in the key again it works dandy.
How do I get it to save it??

[smz]

As far as the wep key. Would you happen to have to box checked that states "have windows provide this key for me" it's actually a dumb question because the system shouldn't let you enter anything if it's checked.

Also so we all can help you out further. Are you using the Dell wireless client, Intel Proset, or the stock windows one. As far as I know those are what they distribute in their laptops. Sometimes if both clients are running, they can clobber eachother. Another thing as far as dropping connections is that you do a quick survey of your area for WiFi's. There is a thirdparty program that can show this to you and more importantly, show you the channel number. This is very helpful in determining if you are so close to another router on the same channel, that it would be in your best interest to alter the channel. Are you in a house or an apt, condo, etc?

Just note, at least 75% of the time, the use of the vendor's software isn't necessary. Now if you called Dell Techsupport, they probably wouldn't even help you with the windows client. But I would say 75% of XP or higher Operating Systems can run peachy with the Windows Client. Before we go any further, lets verify that and have you run this for kicks to see if you have any strong WIFI signals running on the same channel as you. The program is free.

http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/
The program is classified as beggerware... Just means freeware but donations are accepted.

Originally Posted by ir803

just found something else that's probably contributing to this problem, my laptop keeps removing the WEP key that i typed, and therefore losing the network connection.
when I tyoe in the key again it works dandy.
How do I get it to save it??

[ir803]

Thanks for getting back to me,
I've installed net stumbler.
The laptop wireless hardware is an Intel(R) Pro/wireless 2200BG Network Connection NDIS 5.1
My network signal is on channel 11 and yes I am picking up an "open" netgear network also on channel 11.
not sure how I change the channel (do i do it on my router admin??)
and I'm not sure how I tell which wireless client i'm using how do I check that??

[ir803]

I've just changed the channel to 10 and turned off my laptop firewall and so far I've had a consistant signal for the last few minutes.
I'm going to put comodo pro firewall back on and see what happens.
check back with you later.

[smz]

OK, just note that router is your point of contact as far as default channel. You probably have figured this out now you are on channel 10. The two most popular channels in Wifi G+ networks are 6 and 11. The intel is a pretty good chipset for WiFi. The client can be modified to default to channel 10 but many times the client will do a simple search of all the channels. It may speed up the connection process just a tad by having the client set at the current channel 10 but perhaps not enough to bother with it. If the connection issues reappear, I would definitely change the client to 10 so it doesn't go sniffing around elsewhere. Also under Preferred networks in the wireless properties, make sure your router/SSID is the only one listed and is set to "automatic" and "connect to this SSID when it is in range" is checked.

That would be great news if a simple channel change cured your problem.

Originally Posted by ir803

I've just changed the channel to 10 and turned off my laptop firewall and so far I've had a consistant signal for the last few minutes.
I'm going to put comodo pro firewall back on and see what happens.
check back with you later.

[hwm54112]

The broadcast channels overlap one another (I believe it's each two, ie: ten and 11 overlap, 2 and 3 overlap etc. I could be mistaken) You'd probably do well to change to channel 8 or similar to avoid any overlap. Also, disable authentication under preferred networks>properties.

[johnwill]

Actually, the only non-interfering channels in the US are 1,6,11. Any closer and they'll bump heads. Obviously, 2, 7 will be OK, but not if 1 or 6 are also active.

[smz]

You know what is interesting though... My broken netgear was 54g with 108 Atheros Turbo when the client is compatible. But that darn Netgear would not unlock the channel selector if you chose the option of 108 only. I actually am not a big netgear fan. Their support was subpar and I just find overall satisfaction with Linksys products though they generally cost more. But I like the availability of 3rd party firmware. I don't do it, but nothing like a firmware upgrade to turn your Linksys Router into a hotspot. Interesting I never heard of channel 1 being in the clear. Learn something new everyday.

Originally Posted by johnwill

Actually, the only non-interfering channels in the US are 1,6,11. Any closer and they'll bump heads. Obviously, 2, 7 will be OK, but not if 1 or 6 are also active.

[johnwill]

Well, the point I was trying to make is you need four channel numbers between channels to insure no interference. If they're any closer, they have the possibility of interference with the other channel. The closer they get, the worse the problem will be.

Why the frequency spectrum was divided up this way escapes me, since you don't really have the 11 channels you expect you should.

[hwm54112]

Johnwill,

the only non-interfering channels in the US are 1,6,11

Are these non-interfering or least interfering. It would appear to be least interfering, so that OP would be best to set channel to 1 (in theory), OR is the interference reduced sufficiently after a 5 point spread to become a mute point?

Question answered - posted this while you were answering. Thanks for the clarification