Mike P. wrote:
> I am running a HP Media Center with Windows XP. I have cable internet and
> purchased a Microsoft MN-700 Base Station to network my Media Center with
> another machine. Now I also have a laptop from work. Everything networked
> fine for the last two years, including after a move. Then my internet
> connection slowed way down about a month ago. I cycled the power to both my
> cable DSL modem and my MN-700. No improvement. I called my ISP and they
> told me to hook my cable modem directly to my Media Center without the
> MN-700. And the internet speed is back. If I try to re-introduce the
> MN-700, everything is slow. My ISP says I need to update the software in the
> MN-700. I can't seem to find any software updates from Microsoft. Help!
> Thanks for your time.
> --
> Mike P.
As you probably know, the MN-700 hasn't been made for several years and Microsoft
is no longer in the business of selling wireless routers. I don't know if MS
still provides telephone support for these devices, but I doubt it.
Looking at the CNET review from 2003 shows that people who have one either love
it or hate it. It may just be that your unit is beginning to die. As far as
"updating the software" is concerned, what was probably meant was to update the
firmware for the MN-700. I doubt that's the problem, but see
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/814445 The most recent version is 02.01.02.0590.
Some older wireless routers -- and the MN-700 probably qualifies as "older" --
did not perform very well in "mixed" mode, that is, when both 802.11b and 802.11g
devices are on the same network. Assuming that you have only 802.11g devices,
ensure that your MN-700 is set to use G only.
As Diamontina suggested, check for unexpected usage. Look at the DHCP client
list and at the "Base Station Log." See the "Configuration Guide" (not the
"User's Guide") for how to do this. If you can't find your CD with the
documentation, it's here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=902461
You can also try connecting your PC directly to the MN-700 using an ethernet
cable and disabling the wireless mode entirely. This will ensure that you have
no unauthorized users. In fact, if you get acceptable speed in this
configuration and can't resolve the wireless speed issue, I suggest using the
MN-700 as a wired router until you get a new wireless router; it's much safer to
have the router's hardware firewall between your computer and the Internet than
to hook up directly to the cable modem.
If all else fails, reset to factory default (does more than the reset from power
cycling). Write down all of your settings. You can also create a backup file
that will enable you to restore all of your settings, but because it's possible
that one of your settings has somehow been changed in an inappropriate way, I
wouldn't use the automated backup and restore; you might just restore the same
bad setting. Reset the MN-700 to its factory default state and reconfigure your
network settings, giving some thought to ensuring that the settings make sense.
You should have the MN-700 connected to a PC with an ethernet cable while you
reconfigure, especially the wireless settings.
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