What's this about?

cormie

Hi,
Just connected the Netgear wireless router I've been using for the past year or so to another socket which gives perfect broadband when the pc beside is connected with the ethernet cable. Now I'm quite far from it so the signal isn't the best, but I can connect, I'm using it now, it's just it keeps disconnecting, and it seems it will connect if I go through the same process...

using windows wireless software I have to do this:
Netgear will show up with 1 green bar, when it disconnects, it still has one bar, I've re-connected different ways, but the way that seems the best is to press connect, then cancel it, until it says "manual" above the bars, it could also say automatic or disconnect at other times, but it only seems to reconnect properly when it says manual and I click connect.

I'll probably lose connection again in a minute. Is there any way to just keep the connection

Any feedback would be appreciated:)

ntlbell

Try updating the firmware of the router and card.

Move a bit closer to it?

cormie

Hmm, wouldn't be too sure how to do the firmware thing Would I do it through my laptop or where?

I've figured out the pattern anyway.

Ok, so if I'm connected and it disconnects, in the Windows "Wireless Network Connection" Program, it will say "automatic" above the bars, then I click connect and cancel it, then it says "not connected" and I click disconnect below press "yes" when it asks am I sure, then it refreshes and "manual" now appears above the bars, I click connect below and it reconnects. And now it's probably going to disconnect again soon

irlrobins

cormie wrote:

Hmm, wouldn't be too sure how to do the firmware thing Would I do it through my laptop or where?

Usually you download the update file to a PC, connect to the router via it's web interface. Should be a link to update the firmware. You point the interface to the location of the update file and off it goes. Nothing to it. Instructions on how to do it are invariably included on the download site or in the firmware update download.

cormie wrote:

Ok, so if I'm connected and it disconnects, in the Windows "Wireless Network Connection" Program, it will say "automatic" above the bars, then I click connect and cancel it, then it says "not connected" and I click disconnect below press "yes" when it asks am I sure, then it refreshes and "manual" now appears above the bars, I click connect below and it reconnects. And now it's probably going to disconnect again soon

My head hurts....

RangeR

irlrobins wrote:

Usually you download the update file to a PC, connect to the router via it's web interface. Should be a link to update the firmware. You point the interface to the location of the update file and off it goes. Nothing to it. Instructions on how to do it are invariably included on the download site or in the firmware update download.

It is VERY important that you hardwire your PC to your router using a network cable. DO NOT DO THIS WHILE WIRELESSLY CONNECTED.

You run a HUGE risk of bricking your router if you do this over wireless connection. Especially so, considering that you're connection keeps dropping.

I can't stress this enough, unless you have money to burn.

cormie

Thanks for the help


but.. what if it's not a firmware issue:eek:

RangeR

cormie wrote:

Thanks for the help


but.. what if it's not a firmware issue:eek:

It could be "stuff" [environmental or other] in the way. I'll be honest with you, I didn't read your full posting. My head hurt too.

• What sort of signal are you getting? Full, half, almost none?
• What sort of Wireless [802.11b or 802.11g] [b is 11Mbps max, and g is 54Mbps max]
• Are you using encryption? If so, WEP, WPA or WPA2?
• What sort of walls are between your computer and access point? Normal plasterboard partitions, concrete, granite, metal laced partitions?
• As the crow flies, how far are you away from your access point?

I've tried to re-read your posting but had to stop half way though, sorry
Answering the questions above should give a better indication. Don't worry about answering my questions with other questions. That's what we're here for.

riptide

Cormie... this is basically a classic weak signal problem. Answer IrishTLR questions and we'll take it from there.

Windows and its stupid bars are not that accurate. I've seen wireless connections with 1 bar that are harly strong enough to handshake. And other '1 bar' connections running with great gusto. But your problem is similar problem to my dads. basically signals not 1) strong enough and/or 2)too far away, 3) and/or too much 'stuff' between the router and the PC.

cormie

• What sort of signal are you getting? Full, half, almost none? Almost none
• What sort of Wireless [802.11b or 802.11g] [b is 11Mbps max, and g is 54Mbps max] G
• Are you using encryption? If so, WEP, WPA or WPA2? I'm not sure, maybe even none, I thought I set it up ages ago with WPA, but even before I had this problem, it seemed it was unsecure and there was no key needed to access it
• What sort of walls are between your computer and access point? Normal plasterboard partitions, concrete, granite, metal laced partitions? I'm 2 floors below it, I'll try draw a picture but don't count on it explaining much:o
  
  outside__|___<router (behind window)
  ________|___
  _______/|me (behind window)
  _______^stairs- made from concrete
• As the crow flies, how far are you away from your access point? About 10-15 metres,

cormie

Just saw this post and replyin another thread:

Connecting 2 Netopias wirelessly...
Does anyone know how to wirelessly bridge 2 of these routers? I am trying to temporarily extend my broadband to a neighbour's house and I have only so far succeeded in extending with a cable between the routers. I cannot run a cable to the neighbour's! Please help!

Reply:
put both in AD HOC mode ( instead of the default which is INFRASTRUCTURE mode) , and they should talk to each other as a point to point network , you must then use cables at both ends to connect computers to them .

make sure you RTFM linked a few posts back

Would that work with my problem here? How exactly would it boost the signal I get? The 2nd router would still be the same distance from the one connected to the phone line, as my wireless card is

irlrobins

cormie wrote:

put both in AD HOC mode

Can you put routers into ad-hoc mode??? I think you can only do that with adapters.

RangeR

cormie wrote:

Would that work with my problem here? How exactly would it boost the signal I get? The 2nd router would still be the same distance from the one connected to the phone line, as my wireless card is

Highly unlikely. Doing something like this [although I'm not sure about the ad hoc] is a way of linked multiple groupf of machines together where a cable might not be feesable.

Regardless, if the above was possible it probably wouldn't work for you as the other router would be getting the same signal quality as your PC [almost none].

What you COULD do, is to purchase a compatable wireless access point [<€100] and use that as a repeater or something. You will loose a little throughput [speed] in your wireless devices. Maybe upto 50% but it WILL get you sorted. I have never donw this and only touched on the theory behind it but your existing router has to support WDS [Wireless Distribution System] and so does the new access point. Would be a good idea if both devices were from the same manufacturer too. This new access point should be put either one floor down or on your floor [2 down].

Can you move your wireless router to another location, maybe one floor down? 10 meters of phone cable should work wonders for your wireless signal. Unless you have other computers hardwired to it.

If you are two floors down, the best solution would be to move the wireless router down one floor, so it's in the middle. You should see a huge increase in quality with a drop maybe once a week.

Hmmm, it's early and I'm still drowsy. If I think of anything else I'll post it. Oh, you probably aren't using security encryption, just going on what you said above.

Edit : Can you move your computer up a floor or maybe even beside the Wireless router for 30 minutes to an hour. This will tell us if we are looking at the wrong problem or not. But from what you've said it does look like a classic weak signal issue.

cormie

Thanks very much, I'll try all them, don't want to spend money yet so I'll try move me/the router around:)

cormie

Hmm, I think I sorted this out... how? letting broadcom wireless utility manage my connection instead of windows... what that did, I don't know, but it's working:D

cormie

Hi,
Well the above solution is still going ok, it does disconnect the odd time but it's ok for most parts. It's just quite slow and using VOIP is near impossible due to the quality from the low speeds.

Would this help does anyone know?

RangeR

cormie wrote:

Hi,
Well the above solution is still going ok, it does disconnect the odd time but it's ok for most parts. It's just quite slow and using VOIP is near impossible due to the quality from the low speeds.

Would this help does anyone know?

Most wireless routers come with a crappy antenna. Investing in a high gain [is that the term] antenna should definately increase your wireless experience. No idea on price but they shouldn't be that expensive. Somewhere around the €50 mark, maybe.

Well dont on what you have so far, though.

cormie

Thanks for the reply. This is the wireless router being used upstairs, do you reckon the antenna I linked to on ibood.com would vastly improve the signal down here and be worth the €30 considering it's usually €60?

RangeR

cormie wrote:

Thanks for the reply. This is the wireless router being used upstairs, do you reckon the antenna I linked to on ibood.com would vastly improve the signal down here and be worth the €30 considering it's usually €60?

From iBood wrote:

With this WiFi antenna you can expand the reach of your wireless network up to 500 meters! It is a universal antenna so it Works with all WiFi networks (802.11b/g). It is plug and play so no drivers needed. Connect the antenna to your WiFi router or your Wireless Network Card and it provides wireless coverage up to 500 meters. So this summer you don’t have to work in the little muggy pc room but you can simply work or check your email in the garden or on the balcony. So get the lawn chairs and call your boss that you want to work at home this summer.

• Installs easily into the Wireless Network Card`s Built-in antenna jack

It should do. Are antenna jacks all a standard size? If so, this should do the job nicely. However, I don't know what it is, I just don't like the "All in One" products. They just don't look professionally made.


However, one of it's features is not a feature.

Added security because of semi-directional design

It's not a security measure. It's pure hype. I'm not expert but this is just printed on the page to take up space

cormie

I don't think I have a wireless network card? well, one with an antenna jack anyway? I have wifi built into my acer aspire 5021 and then just the netgear router I wonder will it still be 500 metres through walls and everything?

RangeR

cormie wrote:

I don't think I have a wireless network card? well, one with an antenna jack anyway? I have wifi built into my acer aspire 5021 and then just the netgear router I wonder will it still be 500 metres through walls and everything?

You would plug the antenna into your Netgear wireless router. Just unscrew the existing antenna and keep it safe.

It's 500 meters [in laboratory conditions] with NOTHING in the way. With your walls you won't get 500 meters but really you only need about 20 meters max. It SHOULD be fine but you won't know until you try. It IS cheaper than buying another wireless access point with WDS.

cormie

Ordered it, €42 inc shipping, let's just hope it works. Thanks for the help:)

RangeR

I'd

cormie wrote:

Ordered it, €42 inc shipping, let's just hope it works. Thanks for the help:)

I'd be very interested to know if this works too. Let's know when you test it.

bertisevil

this is just a thought,

but while your connection is up have you tried to enter this command in commmand shell@

arp -a

this will show what network devices are on the network.

I'm suggesting this as it is possible that somone is using a disassoction attack in an attempt to break into your network

cormie

Sorry, thanks for the suggestion, but that made no sense to me:o

I'm sharing the connection with my friend who lives above, I'd be quite sure nobody else would be, I hope:)

Snowbat

irlrobins wrote:

Can you put routers into ad-hoc mode??? I think you can only do that with adapters.

Depends on the router and firmware - it is possible on a WRT54G running Sveasoft Alchemy.