Lenovo Connection issues.

[ed.camino]

Hope this thread is still open.
Been trying to solve this problem for days, after endless searches this thread proved I was not alone in the universe. Hopes were high but problem persists.

I've got a Lenovo Medion laptop(pre IBM) that I've resurrected
40 gig
AMD Athlon XP-M 2200+
QSI CDR W/DVD SBW-242
Viatech wireless of some kind. (I think, cant find it now)
VIA Rhine II Ether. Adapt.
and some other stuff
XP Pro SP2

Could not connect with the wireless card thru the Linksys WRT54g.
Device manager showed the device as unknown so I ran a bunch of device sniffers and downloaded drivers (The desktop in the garage has no problem connecting wirelessly). Device manager now listed the device and showed operating correctly. Still couldnt connect.
Took it to the house and hard connected, worked fine. Noticed the wireless icon showed connectivity, and did that, but would drop at 10-15' from router.

Just to try something, I snatched the Intel 2200BG out of what was left of a Dell Inspiron 700m, downloaded/ installed drivers, results were the same difference. Yanked the antennas and wires from the Dell and hung them on the Medion. Still no connectivity although 4 networks show up on network list.

Checked settings I didnt know existed, searched, cussed, ate something. Had to take care of something that came up elsewhere, and when I got back I was connected.

????????????

Looked at logs, IP configs, settings again. Dont know what happened.

After multiple tests I've come to find out if I boot up and leave it alone for a while (appears to vary from 10-20 minutes) it'll magically connect and the WRT54g will show up in "my network places" where it didnt before. (in "other places" sub menu). And another ipconfig/all will show a change from "media disconnected" to listing all them happy numbers.

Ran the commands suggested by johnwill cause that fella with the white hat looks like he means business, but no change.

Does anybody have an idea of whats happening, cause I sure dont.
Any help would be much appreciated.

[johnwill]

Even though it appears you're having the same problem, please start a new thread when you have a new issue. It's very difficult to keep two problems straight and who's working on what in a single thread.

I've created a new thread for your issue here.

Note: You will need to post complete details of your configuration and your specific issue in this new thread for us to help you.

Thanks for your cooperation.

[johnwill]

First off, does this connect properly with a wired connection?

[ed.camino]

Thank you johnwill, I realize now the post was somewhat rambling.

In the middle of the post I stated
"Took it to the house and hard connected, worked fine. Noticed the wireless icon showed connectivity, and did that, but would drop at 10-15' from router."

So yes it connected properly with a wired connection, and connected via wireless as well in very close proximity to the Linksys WRT54g.
However I was still experiencing delays after the change to the Intel 2200BG, and reseting the TCP/IP stack and WINSOCK entries as you suggested in the original thread.

I'm thinking I didnt execute the reboot properly, because at boot up this morning it connected right away. I have rebooted several times today and operation appears normal.

So again, thank you, your solution was on target and ended my frustration

The fix was as you posted:

TCP/IP stack repair options for use with Windows XP with SP2.

Start, Run, CMD to open a command prompt:

Reset TCP/IP stack to installation defaults. netsh int ip reset reset.log

Reset WINSOCK entries to installation defaults: netsh winsock reset catalog

Reboot the machine.
__________________

[ed.camino]

or maybe not....

The connection seemed fine most of the day but was lost at about 3:30-4:00 PM.

I have a desktop on the same bench in the garage that was still connected but signal strength had dropped. I took the laptop into the house ( closer to the WRT54g) and it hooked right up.

I'm starting to think maybe an issue with the Linksys WRT54g or Time Warner, as it's about the time the wife gets home and boots her laptop, and kids in the neighborhood get home from school to start up the TV's and whatever else.

I'll have check the setup on the WRT54g.

[johnwill]

You may be on to something. It's very common for problems to start happening to your ISP in the afternoon and early evening, that's the peak demand period.

[ed.camino]

Yeah sure seems like the ISP is causing some trouble, (cable)
Everything starts acting funny at the same time. Connectivtiy at the wired workstation in the house slows down, signal strength to the wireless stations drop, phone connectivity is slow, the TV channels are slow to change and some show a temp. out of service message. I can see a bandwidth issue, but having trouble understanding the signal strength drop.

Seems like several factors causing problems,
Drivers were out of date for both wireless cards - updated
Wireless settings - corrected
Pinched antenna wire at the hinge - replaced
Multiple management programs - removed
A ton of programs launching at boot - removed/changed
Reset TCP/IP stack to installation defaults
Reset WINSOCK entries to installation defaults
And other stuff.

So now I've been able to put together 3 laptops and 1 desktop from the pile of stuff my son Will dropped after he got paid to haul it away. Got some 5-6 year old top of the line equipment. Sure is an upgrade from just 1 10+ year old desktop with a CRT running WinMe. Even got a docking station for the wifes laptop.

So thanks to johnwill and TSF for providing a wealth of info in multiple forums. What a learning experience.

Now.... need to build some batteries and figure out all the license issues.

[ed.camino]

WOW!!! You guys got an autmotive forum.... THATS GREAT!!!!
I'll surely be checking all that out as I'll be workin thru many issues dropping modern technology into these 2 '71 El Caminos I've got torn apart here (electronic fuel injection, ABS, digital dash, etc.).
TSF is my new home page, if I ever get unlaid off I'll send ya some dough.
Hey, are you guys hiring ?!! I could maybe be the bonehead new guy that drives johnwill nuts.

[johnwill]

During a good period, then again during a time when you have the slow response issues, please run this test and post the results here.


Register at DSLReports and run their Line Quality Tests. It's best to run this test with a direct wired connection to eliminate any wireless issues from the results. It's useful many times to run this test several times, and we'd like to see each of the results. Post the results link from the top of the test display page for each test run here.

The link to post is near the top of the page and looks like:

If you wish to post this result to a forum, please copy/paste this URL
http://www.dslreports.com/linequality/nil/2357195 <- sample only, yours will obviously be different!
and your IP will be disguised.

Copy/paste that link here.

Note: You will have to enable PING (ICMP) request response either in your router (if you have one), or in your computer's firewall for direct modem connections. This is very important to get the most important part of the test to run.


DSLReports

Here's also the Line Quality Tests FAQ to help you understand the results. This will answer some questions about the line quality display.

[ed.camino]

I'll give it a shot.

[ed.camino]

Sorry for the delay ,,,,
I think I've managed to follow the instructions.
Tested with a direct wired connection.
As fate would have it, service was lost Sunday for (2) approx. 3 hour periods, I believe due to an auto accident in the area.
Have'nt noticed much of a problem today, just a couple of brief slowdowns.

Your comments would be appreciated
http://www.dslreports.com/linequality/nil/2582110

DSLReports was an interesting site, I'll have to spend a week there one day to begin to understand.

[johnwill]

Your local connection didn't have a problem, but there sure was some issues farther down the line! This may be a more global issue with the Internet in your area.

[ed.camino]

That was my take on it. I'll run the tests again after a while.
Is there some body that might be interested in knowing about that situation ?
I think the my situation is acceptable now that you've helped me get an understanding of whats happening.

I'll be glad to run some other test if you think it's worthwhile, or we could go ahead and close this out.

Thanks again.

[johnwill]

I suspect anyone that should be notified has been. Issues in the infrastructure are normally noticed by many people, as well as network self-tests.