Frequent disconnects from router issue

Hi all...looking for some advice.

I just switched my network from WEP to WPA-PSK TKIP, I am frequently
getting disconnected from my network. I sometimes have difficulty
connecting when I boot also, gives me "limited connectivity" message.
It's not my computer, as it connects to other networks with no
problem. Varying frequency, anywhere from 2 minutes to 20 minutes.

I checked the event viewer, and this message comes up whenever I get
disconnected:

Event Type: Information
Event Source: BROWSER
Event Category: None
Event ID: 8033
Date: 7/21/2007
Time: 3:46:55 PM
User: N/A
Computer: Laptop
Description:
The browser has forced an election on network \Device
\NetBT_Tcpip_{ED352E88-9C4G-408E-A5EF-F069EAF8C4E7} because a master
browser was stopped.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Usually, I can connect at 54 Mbps with Excellent signal, but sometimes
it drops down to 2.0 Mbps. Any thoughts? Running XP SP2 with in Intel
PRO Wireless 2200BG. Maybe it's a setting on the WPA-PSK in the router?

(E-Mail Removed) hath wroth:

>Hi all...looking for some advice.

Buy low, sell high.

>I just switched my network from WEP to WPA-PSK TKIP, I am frequently
>getting disconnected from my network.

What router are you using? Maker, model, hardware versions, and
firmware version. While you're at it, what operating system on your
laptop?

>I sometimes have difficulty
>connecting when I boot also, gives me "limited connectivity" message.
>It's not my computer, as it connects to other networks with no
>problem. Varying frequency, anywhere from 2 minutes to 20 minutes.

Any obvious sources of interference? See list at:
<http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Interference>
Try changing channels (1, 6, or 11) and see if that helps.

The default WPA-PSK refresh interval is 3600 seconds or 1 hour. This
is nowhere near your 2 minute interval, so it's not a re-key problem.

Are you actually getting a useable connection for the first 2 minutes?
I got a suspicion that your have the wrong WPA-PSK key and that it's
taking a long time for the OS to announce the lack of a connection.

>I checked the event viewer, and this message comes up whenever I get
>disconnected:
>
>Event Type: Information
>Event Source: BROWSER
>Event Category: None
>Event ID: 8033
>Date: 7/21/2007
>Time: 3:46:55 PM
>User: N/A
>Computer: Laptop
>Description:
>The browser has forced an election on network \Device
>\NetBT_Tcpip_{ED352E88-9C4G-408E-A5EF-F069EAF8C4E7} because a master
>browser was stopped.

Yes, but that's event probably happens AFTER you get disconnected.
What it basically says is that the client cannot reach whichever
machine on your network is playing master browser. Try it again, but
this time get the exact time of the disconnect. Then lookup the
message in the event viewer.

>Usually, I can connect at 54 Mbps with Excellent signal, but sometimes
>it drops down to 2.0 Mbps. Any thoughts? Running XP SP2 with in Intel
>PRO Wireless 2200BG. Maybe it's a setting on the WPA-PSK in the router?

Bingo. The Intel 2200BG had a problem with the Proset driver where it
would go down to 1Mbit/sec in the presence of interference and stay
there. Check for firmware, driver, and client manager updates for:
1. Your unspecified model wireless router (probably the culprit).
2. Proset for your 2200BG:
<http://support.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/pro2200bg/index.htm>
3. Windoze updates (which may include Wireless Zero Config updates).

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

I updated my intel drivers/software...been using it a couple of hours
with no problems. I can't believe that was the problem, and moreso
that I didn't try it. I was convinced it was a router issue...anyway,
thanks a lot for the help...

Cheers!

On Jul 21, 4:53 pm, Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com> wrote:
> jtrav...@gmail.com hath wroth:
>
> >Hi all...looking for some advice.
>
> Buy low, sell high.
>
> >I just switched my network from WEP to WPA-PSK TKIP, I am frequently
> >getting disconnected from my network.
>
> What router are you using? Maker, model, hardware versions, and
> firmware version. While you're at it, what operating system on your
> laptop?
>
> >I sometimes have difficulty
> >connecting when I boot also, gives me "limited connectivity" message.
> >It's not my computer, as it connects to other networks with no
> >problem. Varying frequency, anywhere from 2 minutes to 20 minutes.
>
> Any obvious sources of interference? See list at:
> <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Interference>
> Try changing channels (1, 6, or 11) and see if that helps.
>
> The default WPA-PSK refresh interval is 3600 seconds or 1 hour. This
> is nowhere near your 2 minute interval, so it's not a re-key problem.
>
> Are you actually getting a useable connection for the first 2 minutes?
> I got a suspicion that your have the wrong WPA-PSK key and that it's
> taking a long time for the OS to announce the lack of a connection.
>
> >I checked the event viewer, and this message comes up whenever I get
> >disconnected:
>
> >Event Type: Information
> >Event Source: BROWSER
> >Event Category: None
> >Event ID: 8033
> >Date: 7/21/2007
> >Time: 3:46:55 PM
> >User: N/A
> >Computer: Laptop
> >Description:
> >The browser has forced an election on network \Device
> >\NetBT_Tcpip_{ED352E88-9C4G-408E-A5EF-F069EAF8C4E7} because a master
> >browser was stopped.
>
> Yes, but that's event probably happens AFTER you get disconnected.
> What it basically says is that the client cannot reach whichever
> machine on your network is playing master browser. Try it again, but
> this time get the exact time of the disconnect. Then lookup the
> message in the event viewer.
>
> >Usually, I can connect at 54 Mbps with Excellent signal, but sometimes
> >it drops down to 2.0 Mbps. Any thoughts? Running XP SP2 with in Intel
> >PRO Wireless 2200BG. Maybe it's a setting on the WPA-PSK in the router?
>
> Bingo. The Intel 2200BG had a problem with the Proset driver where it
> would go down to 1Mbit/sec in the presence of interference and stay
> there. Check for firmware, driver, and client manager updates for:
> 1. Your unspecified model wireless router (probably the culprit).
> 2. Proset for your 2200BG:
> <http://support.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/pro2200bg/index.htm>
> 3. Windoze updates (which may include Wireless Zero Config updates).
>
> --
> Jeff Liebermann je...@cruzio.com
> 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> Santa Cruz CA 95060http://802.11junk.com
> Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

(E-Mail Removed) hath wroth:

>I updated my intel drivers/software...been using it a couple of hours
>with no problems. I can't believe that was the problem, and moreso
>that I didn't try it. I was convinced it was a router issue...anyway,
>thanks a lot for the help...

Cool. One of the problems with using Intel cards is that the
automagic update mechanism via Microsoft Update doesn't really work
well. Some of the Intel drivers from MS are really ancient. In
addition, the various manufacturers of laptops don't seem to put the
latest Intel stuff on their download sites. Dell and Gateway are
particularly tardy. It's particularly important because the various
Centrino mutations still do much of their magic in software, not
hardware.

I'm not sure why the delay. It might be that the manufacturers don't
trust Intel and want to test any new drivers they put on their
download sites. Dunno. Meanwhile, I've found it best to get the
Proset drivers directly from the Intel web pile.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558