advice on dhcp

[rangersmith]

This is what I have on my network :-

belkin n1 modem router f5d8631-4

main computer hardwired running windows XP corporate
works laptop wireless running windows xp proffesional
tablet pc wireless running windows vista ultimate
nintedo wii
ipod touch
second computer running winows xp coorporate with belkin usb dongle f5d7050

All of the computers connect with no problem except the second computer it can find my nextdoor neighbours wireless connection but not mine ?. I have had this working in the past but it keeps loosing the connection now I cannot connect.
The problem I have is that the ipaddress keeps changing for all of them, this is not a problem for the works computer, the wii or the touch. But on the main computer I have ports opened and when it changes these ports are not open 'cause new ipaddress, also the tablet running vista will often find the networ but with limited connectivety, this corrects its self if I reboot router and tablet.

So firstly any ideas about the computer upstairs and secondly would it be more benefical for me to turn off dhcp and assigne ipaddress's for all, if so how do I go about this.

Hope this all makes sense

[rangersmith]

Any ideas

thanks

[johnwill]

First off, I'd do the following with the router.

1. For wireless connections, change the channel on the router, I like channels 1, 6, and 11 in the US.
2. Update the firmware to the latest version available on the manufacturer's site.
3. Reset the router to factory defaults and reconfigure.

Many times these measures will resolve a lot of intermittent issues.


Next, I'd see if you simply have low signal strength, many times adding a wireless hi-gain antenna will help here.

[rangersmith]

Hi johnwill, many thanks for that spent another few hours on it today, realised up stairs the usb dongle was G borrowed an N from a friend upgrade to vista and all works fine, so will buy a new dongle today.

What about the dhcp setting.


Thanks

Andrew

[johnwill]

Well, you can assign manual addresses, but if you solve the issue, why bother?

[rangersmith]

Cheers will look at that again.

Andrew