[SOLVED] wifi/network/router connection problem

[_dinsdale_]

Hi All,

I have a home network.

My main computer XP sp3 (let's call it computer "A") works with a third party software like ICS... connected to the cable modem with a fixed IP and supplies (and monitors) internet for the other computers on the LAN.

Computer A is connected via a wi fi NIC to a router (for reasons of complicated geography) elsewhere in the house. In turn, the router (Belkin wireless G) is hard wired to two other computers "B" (win98 SE) & "C" (XP sp3), both with fixed IP. And there is a lappy "D" (XP sp3) which floats about the place wirelessly connecting to the router and the LAN and (thru A) to the internet.

This has all worked well and reliably (until now) for a couple of years. BUT recently I had to do a clean install on the lappy . The lappy does not have a fixed IP (never has) and connects automatically to the router, BUT since the reinstall, the lappy won't connect to the router without me rebooting the router first... the rest of the LAN still works OK (including the wi fi link between rotuer and A). Once the router has been rebooted, the lappy connects for hours and the rest of the LAN seems to work fine too. If left on say overnight, the lappy's connection to the router drops out... again all other connections remain in working order. SO I have to reboot the router again to get the lappy to connect again.

I run Zone alarm on the lappy and have updated to the latest version as per the sticky in the forum... made no apparent difference to my problem.

Clearly something has changed with the clean install but I don't know what? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Dins

[johnwill]

Router? I thought you were using ICS?

[_dinsdale_]

Yep Router,

The WAN comes into the ICS ("A") computer then from here goes to the router to build the LAN. I guess the the router is only acting as a switch or a hub, not as the source for the internet.

Thanks for the interest.
Dins

[johnwill]

I have to ask, since it seems to be the root of the problem. Why not just use the router, what's the point of having ICS in the mix here?

[_dinsdale_]

Monitoring/supervising teenage access to the internet.

Like I say it has all worked perfectly until the lappy reinstall

dins

[johnwill]

Well, in reviewing the issue, I'd have to be looking at the wireless drivers on the laptop. Since nothing else changed, that seems the logical place to start.

[_dinsdale_]

Thanks so much for that!

I downloaded new drivers from the manufacturer's site and all seems good now.

Thanks again

Dins

[johnwill]

Glad it was an easy one.