Wireless Connects, then disconnects "randomly"

boogiem0nst3r · 12-11-2008, 01:41 PM

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

D:\Users\Vinh>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 4:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : san.rr.com
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8190 802.11n Wireless LAN
(Mini-)PCI NIC
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-14-D1-4D-5A-A8
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.10.119
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.10.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.10.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 76.85.229.110
76.85.229.111
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Thursday, December 11, 2008 1:31:05
PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Friday, December 12, 2008 1:31:05 PM

D:\Users\Vinh>

more info:

Windows XP - SP3
Router: Trendnet Tew-631BRP (latest firmware)
NIC: Trendnet Tew-643PI (latest drivers)
security mode on router: WPA/WPA2 w/AES Encryption
Security mode on NIC: WPA2/AES

The NIC seems to drop connections randomly, and for no apparent reason to me, although I have some theories.

Signal is 100%, although as of right now the router is broadcasting the SSID, I'm connected to it BUT I do NOT see it in "available networks."

My theory, sometimes I am running a torrent, or soulseek (filesharing application) both of which require ports to be forwarded. I have tried both UPNP in these apps and just forwarding ports manually, but when running these applications my connection to the network seems to die much faster, as if these applications are somehow causing it.

Some more notes:

There are 4 other laptops in the house, all of which with a different brand NIC (from G to draft N) in each one, and they all have ZERO problems with the router. Ironically, trendnet's own NIC has issues with it!

I have tried trendnet's latest NIC driver from their website (which is the same version as on their CD) - no luck

Using windows update, windows files "realtek" drivers for the NIC (which i am currently using) - no luck

I have tried using it without Trendnet's 3rdparty software (using windows zero config) - no luck

I have tried using it WITH trendnet's 3rdparty software (currently) - no luck

In device manager, windows reports everything is working properly as it should, including the network card!

Prior to this NIC, i have a Linksys NIC (g), which i UNINSTALLED before installing this Trendnet. Could there be traces of the linksys that is causing these issues?

When the computer w/ TRENDNET nic is disconnected, the router is COMPLETELY fine as all other laptops in the house never have any issue what so ever.

I bought 2 Trendnet NIC's as part of newegg's black friday sale...tried both seemed to be same issue. So I believe it is some kind of configuration that is messing this up.

Please HELP!

-Vinh

boogiem0nst3r · 12-12-2008, 02:49 PM

anyone have a clue as to whats going on"? pretty please?

**Done_Fishin** · 12-13-2008, 06:28 AM

We can't help with respect to the use of Torrents ..

Quote:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/rules.php

P2P

We believe that the main purpose of P2P programs is to illegally download and use copyrighted material of whatever description. We further understand that there may be legal uses for P2P, but as we are not able to assess a user's intent when he/ she asks for help, we do not support P2P software and we will not assist any user in this regard. This includes but is not limited to Bearshare, Kazaa and many others.

so let us know what happens when there are no torrents running .. ie just general browsing the web and normal download activities

SirAthos · 05-04-2009, 10:18 AM

Well, I have the same problem, only there is no P2P involved.
I stumbled upon this thread by searching for a solution to this problem.

The router is a D-Link DGL-4300, the problem computer is running WinXP SP3 (fresh install) with a TrendNet TEW-423PI C1.xR PCI adapter (manufacturer says it supports WPA2).
The wireless network is configured with WPA2 and the SSID is being broadcast.

Upon boot, the computer connects to the network, and then disconnects shortly after (websites can be loaded while it's connected). The symptoms vary after that, sometimes it reconnects and disconnects again, other times it just says "cannot connect to your preferred network".

There is one other computer running Windows XP SP3 (different NIC though) which is permanently connected and has no issues whatsoever.

Do you have any suggestions as to how to fix it?

SirAthos · 05-04-2009, 11:35 PM

The router shows that about two thirds of the wireless packets are errors. I can't get more detail than that though.

I'm thinking of lowering the MTU on the affected computer, to see what happens...

csd · 09-18-2009, 12:48 PM

Hi all,

Here my story:
I bought 30 TEW-423pi adapters and I tested 3 out of the bundle.
I performed the test using both Windows Zero config (test 1) and the TrendNet client version 1.20.121.50 (test 2) with the same driver version 5.1102.1120.2007.
I used 2 different desktops with a TEW-423pi adapter: Asus P5B-VM and Compaq EVO D510
I used 2 laptops sitting on the same table next to the desktops mentioned above.
The table is at 25 feet from the access point (Cisco LAP-1142) within a open space room (no obstacles), so I am not even close of the 150 feet of the 802.11g standard.
I used Pilot with AirPcap from CACE tech to measure the signal strength as well as the utility build in the access point Cisco LAP-1142 managed by a Cisco WLC 4402 (both giving approximately the same measure +/- 5dbm).
The results:
TEW-423pi (no matter which desktop/adapter I used): between -64 to -74 dbm in avg. @ 802.11g
HP NX7400 (Intel wireless 3945ABG): between -47 to -53 dbm in avg. @ 802.11g
Toshiba Tecra A9 (Intel wireless 4965AGN): between -45 to -51 dbm in avg. @ 802.11g
The Noise is between -79 to -87 dbm

I have done the same test at the same location with the same Compaq EVO D510 BUT I replaced the TEW-423pi by a TL-WN851N from TP-LINK. I have got:
RSSI (min/max/avg): -44/-41/-42
SNR (min/max/avg): 34/53/49
Which is the normal values that we should expect at this range.

I ask TRENDNET to arrange a refund with my vendor? Since I bougth 30 TEW-423pi cards based on the assumption that the should perform within the 802.11 specification. No answer… of course.

Conclusion:
1) Most Access Point algorithms will drop (and sometime quarantine like Cisco) wireless clients that are under -70 dBm for a long period of time. Simply because such client is slowing down every wireless clients associated to the same AP. Yep! You now understand why you are losing connectivity after some minutes.
2) TEW-423pi are not able to respect the 802.11g standard range, actually they are not even close with a range of 25 feet!
3) TRENDNET knows that and they are still selling this product!
4) Do not make business with TrendNet.

12-11-2008, 01:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
boogiem0nst3r Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2 OS: WinXP-SP3, Vista Home	Wireless Connects, then disconnects "randomly" Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600] (C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp. D:\Users\Vinh>ipconfig Windows IP Configuration Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 4: Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : san.rr.com Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8190 802.11n Wireless LAN (Mini-)PCI NIC Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-14-D1-4D-5A-A8 Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.10.119 Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0 Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.10.1 DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.10.1 DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 76.85.229.110 76.85.229.111 Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Thursday, December 11, 2008 1:31:05 PM Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Friday, December 12, 2008 1:31:05 PM D:\Users\Vinh> more info: Windows XP - SP3 Router: Trendnet Tew-631BRP (latest firmware) NIC: Trendnet Tew-643PI (latest drivers) security mode on router: WPA/WPA2 w/AES Encryption Security mode on NIC: WPA2/AES The NIC seems to drop connections randomly, and for no apparent reason to me, although I have some theories. Signal is 100%, although as of right now the router is broadcasting the SSID, I'm connected to it BUT I do NOT see it in "available networks." My theory, sometimes I am running a torrent, or soulseek (filesharing application) both of which require ports to be forwarded. I have tried both UPNP in these apps and just forwarding ports manually, but when running these applications my connection to the network seems to die much faster, as if these applications are somehow causing it. Some more notes: There are 4 other laptops in the house, all of which with a different brand NIC (from G to draft N) in each one, and they all have ZERO problems with the router. Ironically, trendnet's own NIC has issues with it! I have tried trendnet's latest NIC driver from their website (which is the same version as on their CD) - no luck Using windows update, windows files "realtek" drivers for the NIC (which i am currently using) - no luck I have tried using it without Trendnet's 3rdparty software (using windows zero config) - no luck I have tried using it WITH trendnet's 3rdparty software (currently) - no luck In device manager, windows reports everything is working properly as it should, including the network card! Prior to this NIC, i have a Linksys NIC (g), which i UNINSTALLED before installing this Trendnet. Could there be traces of the linksys that is causing these issues? When the computer w/ TRENDNET nic is disconnected, the router is COMPLETELY fine as all other laptops in the house never have any issue what so ever. I bought 2 Trendnet NIC's as part of newegg's black friday sale...tried both seemed to be same issue. So I believe it is some kind of configuration that is messing this up. Please HELP! -Vinh

12-12-2008, 02:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
boogiem0nst3r Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2 OS: WinXP-SP3, Vista Home	Re: Wireless Connects, then disconnects "randomly" anyone have a clue as to whats going on"? pretty please?

05-04-2009, 10:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
SirAthos Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2 OS: XP SP3	Re: Wireless Connects, then disconnects "randomly" Well, I have the same problem, only there is no P2P involved. I stumbled upon this thread by searching for a solution to this problem. The router is a D-Link DGL-4300, the problem computer is running WinXP SP3 (fresh install) with a TrendNet TEW-423PI C1.xR PCI adapter (manufacturer says it supports WPA2). The wireless network is configured with WPA2 and the SSID is being broadcast. Upon boot, the computer connects to the network, and then disconnects shortly after (websites can be loaded while it's connected). The symptoms vary after that, sometimes it reconnects and disconnects again, other times it just says "cannot connect to your preferred network". There is one other computer running Windows XP SP3 (different NIC though) which is permanently connected and has no issues whatsoever. Do you have any suggestions as to how to fix it?

05-04-2009, 11:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
SirAthos Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2 OS: XP SP3	Re: Wireless Connects, then disconnects "randomly" The router shows that about two thirds of the wireless packets are errors. I can't get more detail than that though. I'm thinking of lowering the MTU on the affected computer, to see what happens...

09-18-2009, 12:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
csd Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 4 OS: xp	Re: Wireless Connects, then disconnects "randomly" Hi all, Here my story: I bought 30 TEW-423pi adapters and I tested 3 out of the bundle. I performed the test using both Windows Zero config (test 1) and the TrendNet client version 1.20.121.50 (test 2) with the same driver version 5.1102.1120.2007. I used 2 different desktops with a TEW-423pi adapter: Asus P5B-VM and Compaq EVO D510 I used 2 laptops sitting on the same table next to the desktops mentioned above. The table is at 25 feet from the access point (Cisco LAP-1142) within a open space room (no obstacles), so I am not even close of the 150 feet of the 802.11g standard. I used Pilot with AirPcap from CACE tech to measure the signal strength as well as the utility build in the access point Cisco LAP-1142 managed by a Cisco WLC 4402 (both giving approximately the same measure +/- 5dbm). The results: TEW-423pi (no matter which desktop/adapter I used): between -64 to -74 dbm in avg. @ 802.11g HP NX7400 (Intel wireless 3945ABG): between -47 to -53 dbm in avg. @ 802.11g Toshiba Tecra A9 (Intel wireless 4965AGN): between -45 to -51 dbm in avg. @ 802.11g The Noise is between -79 to -87 dbm I have done the same test at the same location with the same Compaq EVO D510 BUT I replaced the TEW-423pi by a TL-WN851N from TP-LINK. I have got: RSSI (min/max/avg): -44/-41/-42 SNR (min/max/avg): 34/53/49 Which is the normal values that we should expect at this range. I ask TRENDNET to arrange a refund with my vendor? Since I bougth 30 TEW-423pi cards based on the assumption that the should perform within the 802.11 specification. No answer… of course. Conclusion: 1) Most Access Point algorithms will drop (and sometime quarantine like Cisco) wireless clients that are under -70 dBm for a long period of time. Simply because such client is slowing down every wireless clients associated to the same AP. Yep! You now understand why you are losing connectivity after some minutes. 2) TEW-423pi are not able to respect the 802.11g standard range, actually they are not even close with a range of 25 feet! 3) TRENDNET knows that and they are still selling this product! 4) Do not make business with TrendNet.