Wireless connection drops repeatedly

[Rockmelon]

Connection was dropping about every minute or two. Improved greatly after I enabled WEP. Now it drops only about every 7-10 minutes.

Since I enabled WEP, should I enable authentication?

I have already changed the channel several times and have rebooted & reset router and modem.

My wireless router is a Microsoft Broadband Wireless Network MN-700.

I am currently on Channel 10 and using Wireless Mode: Mixed B compatible. Should I, or could I, use the G Performance?

I am running a Gateway laptop 6000 Series M360 with an Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 BG Network connection adapter.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. However, I am only borderline literate when it comes to computer repairs!

Thanks,
Lois

[johnwill]

Are you using the Intel wireless utility, or the Windows WZC wireless utility? What is the version and patch level of Windows in use?

[muggy]

earlier when the connection dropped every min or two, was the network encrypted or unsecured? having Mixed B Compatible should not cause a problem but you may wanna try changing channels. try something like 1,6,9 or 11 which are least prone to interference. in the Intel card properties (in device manager) see if you have an option to set the card to the same channel. but first and foremost update the wireless drivers

[Rockmelon]

Re: Wireless connection drops repeatedly

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Are you using the Intel wireless utility, or the Windows WZC wireless utility? What is the version and patch level of Windows in use?
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Microsoft MVP - Networking

Re: Wireless connection drops repeatedly

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Win XP
Home Edition
Verson 2002
SP2

WZC is enabled and startup type is Automatic.

If I disable WZC I lose my "Wireless networks" tab in properties

I don't understand the question. But did I answer it?

Thanks

[johnwill]

I believe you did, if you were using a 3rd party wireless client, that wouldn't happen.

How far from the router is the machine? Have you tried changing channels on the router? I like channels 1, 6, and 11 for the US.

[Rockmelon]

Right now, I am on the second floor using the laptop. The router is in the room directly beneath the room I am in and I guess it is 15' THROUGH the floor. By "air" it's about 25'.

I am using Channel 10 after having tries several others. First one I tried was 11 and it didn't help at all.

[Rockmelon]

I just changed the channel from 10 to 6. Changed it in the web "Management Tool as well as in Device Manager, network card.

I'll try this for tonight and see how it works. At the moment I have to get dinner on the table...

Very much appreciate your help and will definitely let you know if there is, or is not, a difference.

Thanks again,
Lois

[johnwill]

First off, if you are above or below the router, you may want to orient the antennas horizontally, since propagation from the antenna is horizontal to the plane of the antenna. For a vertical antenna, the signal propatation would look something like . As you can see, directly above or below would be a bad place to receive a strong signal.

Oh, and you change the channel in the router, not on the individual computers. The computers will search for a network and find the channel change.