Wireless Router Question

[MULTIZ321]

We have a home network set up through a Belkin 54G Wireless Router and a DSL modem. Two PC's and a laptop all with Windows XP Pro. One PC, the Router and modem are in an upstairs office. The other PC is downstairs at a computer desk in the kitchen.

This set up has been working well for more than 2 years. Lately, however, the downstairs PC has been intermittently disconnecting from the Belkin Router and either displaying a Peer-to-Peer connection with low signal strength which doesn't allow me an internet connection. Doing a Network Connections "Repair" would usually allow reconnection with the Belkin Router and the problem would be temporarily solved. Now, a new problem has cropped up - intermittently I will get a message of "No Network Connections within Range" and "Repair" or "Refresh" doesn't solve the problem. After some time elapses, the network connection will mysterious re-appear and I'm once again able to connect to the internet - albeit, page loading is very slow. Every time the downstairs PC is disconnected from the network, I'm able to connect to the network via the upstairs PC .

Any thoughts on what may be going on ? Also, any suggestions besides purchasing a new PC to replace the older downstairs PC which I'm seriously considering.

Thanks

Richard

 

[DaveNV]

You can try adjusting the position of the antenna on the downstairs PC. Check to see if the antenna is tightly screwed in on the PC. Is another device on the downstairs PC blocking the signal? See is there is any new equipment or appliances located between the downstairs PC and the upstairs router. Interference from household wiring or small appliances and such can have an effect. Try repositioning the router to another area, if possible, to see if you can get a better connection between it and the downstairs PC. Move the CPU on the downstairs PC around a bit, to see if you get a better signal (sure signs that something new is interfering with the connection.) You might also want to refresh the DSL connection to your modem. A weakened signal from outside the house can result in lower connection speeds and dropped connections.

Good luck,
Dave

 

[Icarus]

You can try moving the antennas around. If that doesn't help, you can buy a wireless repeater and put it somewhere in between the two computers.

-David

 

[pedro47]

You can try moving the antennas around. If that doesn't help, you can buy a wireless repeater and put it somewhere in between the two computers.

-David

What is a wireless repeater?

 

[JeffW]

Do a scan on your basement PC to see if there are any other networks visible. Maybe a neighbor installed their own wireless router, and they picked the same frequency you were using.

Jeff

 

[Icarus]

What is a wireless repeater?

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...nksys/Common/VisitorWrapper&lid=7813819675B06

-David

 

[geoffb]

If it worked for two years and developed a problem recently a change in the environment that is blocking the signal or causing interference is the most likely issue. Interference could come from another wireless network on the same channel or a cordless phone using the same frequency spectrum.

 

[pedro47]

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...nksys/Common/VisitorWrapper&lid=7813819675B06

-David

Thanks I am going to add this advice to my home.

 

[JeffW]

Not meaning to hijack this thread, but does anyone know what would be necessary to create a wireless bridge between groups of computers? My brother already has a typical wireless router setup:
- cable modem connected to WAN port of w/l router
- some local computers connected to LAN ports via RJ45 cable
- a laptop connected wirelessly.

He wants to move some computers for his boys, currently connected locally to the router, to another part of the house. Conceptually, it would be nice if they could all connect to a wireless router elsewhere in the house, but instead of that wireless portion being primarily to broadcast internet access to other systems, it would receive it from the existing wireless router. The alternative is to add wireless network cards to each computer, not as an efficient solution.

Thanks.

Jeff

 

[Mel]

Actually, if all the computers are being moved, and would be connected to this new router, the most secure solution would be to move the existing router, and rewire the cable as necessary.

Otherwise, I would just get wireless network cards - unless you're talking about lots of computers, the cards should not cost more than a router, and you will already experience signal loss through the bridge. Also, unless those computers will all be in the same room with the router, you would have to run wiring for them in the new locations.

 

[JeffW]

It's just a subset of the computers that are being moved, and I think my brother would prefer keeping the cable modem and router where they are.

The moved computers would be in the same room, so connecting to a router with cables wouldn't be a problem.

Part of the motivation is he's running some smaller systems with older OS's (maybe W98), primary for support of some game and childrens software on them. He was running into some issues getting wireless cards & software to install in them. That's why I thought, if he could just plug them into a router (no local software required), it might be easier.

Jeff

 

[winger]

Since the setup worked for two yr without a hitch.

1) Belkin router could be going bad (all things go bad, maybe helped if stored in a hot place (closet without ventilation) => borrow a router (they are a dime a dozen now) see if the downstairs pc still disconnects

2) your PC's wireless card is going bad =>try placing a another wireless card in the PC

3) something is now physically blocking the path between the router and the PC (could be electronic, like a device emitting radio waves placed within 1 feet of your router or PC) -> good luck on this one

 

[Icarus]

Not meaning to hijack this thread, but does anyone know what would be necessary to create a wireless bridge between groups of computers? My brother already has a typical wireless router setup:
- cable modem connected to WAN port of w/l router
- some local computers connected to LAN ports via RJ45 cable
- a laptop connected wirelessly.

He wants to move some computers for his boys, currently connected locally to the router, to another part of the house. Conceptually, it would be nice if they could all connect to a wireless router elsewhere in the house, but instead of that wireless portion being primarily to broadcast internet access to other systems, it would receive it from the existing wireless router. The alternative is to add wireless network cards to each computer, not as an efficient solution.

Thanks.

Jeff

Yes, it's called a wireless bridge. However, the wireless bridges usually just have one network port, so you connect the wireless bridge to a switch, and connect the hardwired computers to the switch. I have this exact setup.

-David

 

[Icarus]

Here's a good example (though not a very good product page).

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...497433&pagename=Linksys/Common/VisitorWrapper

Since it only has one LAN port, if you want to connect the bridge to multiple computers, you need a switch. Connect the computers to the switch and the switch to the bridge.

Here's an example of a switch. (They make 5 port switches, 16 port switches, etc).

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Sate...nksys/Common/VisitorWrapper&lid=3681322279B03

My router (Linksys WRT54GL) and DSL modem are in my bedroom, with 3 computers connected directly to the switch that's built in to the router. I have a wireless bridge in my office connected to a switch, which is connected to several devices (printer, computers, etc). I have a wireless bridge in the living room connected to a single computer. I have a Linksys wireless repeater downstairs to bring the wireless signal to my downstairs roommates. (without the repeater, the signal was very weak downstairs.)

-David

 

[winger]

... I have a Linksys wireless repeater downstairs to bring the wireless signal to my downstairs roommates. (without the repeater, the signal was very weak downstairs.)

-David

It seems with alot of the newer (last year or two) routers have 'extra long' distance range, unlike older routers. Unless you have a mansion and/or home with alot of solid (cement, steel, radio interference) physical barriers between router and computers, repeaters are no longer needed in basic home installs. Bridges are a different story, if you have distinct areas where networked equipment are located.

 

[isisdave]

Here's another idea: most routers pick a particular frequency channel by themselves. It may be that you have a new router somewhere not too close that occasionally causes interference. Although routers are supposed to tolerate this, I have had a situation where telling the router what channel to use helped. You do this on the router's control screens.


Another thought: the 54G uses the 2.4GHz spectrum, same as most cordless phones and microwave ovens. Do you have any electronic thingies that have recently been moved near or added to the environment near the PC having the problem?

And I suppose you've tried resetting the router occasionally -- turning its power off for 10 seconds? Sometimes that's all that's needed to fix mysterious problems.