Problems with Netgear MA111 adapter on Windows 98

I've been having serious problems getting my Windows 98 box connected
wirelessly to an existing wireless home network, using a Netgear MA111
adapter. I'm not an OS or networking expert (although not entirely
clueless on a computer, either). If anyone has any ideas....

Existing network:
+ Netgear MR814 router (802.11b) connected to Earthlink DSL
+ Laptop with Windows XP Home & Netgear MA521 802.11b wireless PC
card
+ Desktop with Windows 98 & existing NIC card plugged via cable into
router

What I'm trying to do:
Remove the cable from the Windows 98 box and connect it wirelessly via
a Netgear MA111 adapter (so I can move the box into another room and
still have a network connection).

Installing the MA111 drivers seems to go well, and all indications (as
suggested in the MA111 paperwork) suggest that the drivers are
correctly installed.

Installing the MA111 itself seems to go well, and the MA111
configuration utility is able to recognize and configure the MA111.
It can also see (by name) our local wireless network. I configured
the MA111 with all the same settings (WEP included) as the router and
the laptop's PC card. The MA111 insists that it can see the network,
and has great signal strength (the router's three feet away), although
it does have trouble deciding whether it's connected at 2 MBS or 11
MBS.

However, attempts to browse the web or access email or do anything
involving the network/internet all fail, as though no network were
present at all.

Further, one restart after the installation, I start having serious
problems with the MA111's config utility. Within half a minute of
restarting, the machine is completely locked up to any input (mouse
motion still registers with the pointer, but there is little or no
response to clicks or keyboard input), and if I'm lucky enough to
eventually get the Task Manager up, it says that a "Wlancfg4" process
is not responding. (This matches the name of one of the MA111 config
executables.) On the rare occasion that I'm quick enough to kill that
process early, my computer returns to normal responsiveness (although
still no network). Otherwise, I end up having to restart via the
power button.

For now, I've uninstalled the MA111 utilities from the Windows 98 box,
plugged the network cable back in, and it's working again -- for now.
But it can't stay where it is (as new machinery is coming), so...

Anyone have any suggestions, ideas, comments, etc?

- Tom Kiefer
thogek @ earthlink . net

On 3 Sep 2003 09:29:41 -0700, (E-Mail Removed) (Tom Kiefer) wrote:

>I've been having serious problems getting my Windows 98 box connected
>wirelessly to an existing wireless home network, using a Netgear MA111
>adapter. I'm not an OS or networking expert (although not entirely
>clueless on a computer, either). If anyone has any ideas....
>
>Existing network:
> + Netgear MR814 router (802.11b) connected to Earthlink DSL
> + Laptop with Windows XP Home & Netgear MA521 802.11b wireless PC
>card
> + Desktop with Windows 98 & existing NIC card plugged via cable into
>router
>
>What I'm trying to do:
>Remove the cable from the Windows 98 box and connect it wirelessly via
>a Netgear MA111 adapter (so I can move the box into another room and
>still have a network connection).
>
>Installing the MA111 drivers seems to go well, and all indications (as
>suggested in the MA111 paperwork) suggest that the drivers are
>correctly installed.
>
>Installing the MA111 itself seems to go well, and the MA111
>configuration utility is able to recognize and configure the MA111.
>It can also see (by name) our local wireless network. I configured
>the MA111 with all the same settings (WEP included) as the router and
>the laptop's PC card. The MA111 insists that it can see the network,
>and has great signal strength (the router's three feet away), although
>it does have trouble deciding whether it's connected at 2 MBS or 11
>MBS.
>
>However, attempts to browse the web or access email or do anything
>involving the network/internet all fail, as though no network were
>present at all.
>
>Further, one restart after the installation, I start having serious
>problems with the MA111's config utility. Within half a minute of
>restarting, the machine is completely locked up to any input (mouse
>motion still registers with the pointer, but there is little or no
>response to clicks or keyboard input), and if I'm lucky enough to
>eventually get the Task Manager up, it says that a "Wlancfg4" process
>is not responding. (This matches the name of one of the MA111 config
>executables.) On the rare occasion that I'm quick enough to kill that
>process early, my computer returns to normal responsiveness (although
>still no network). Otherwise, I end up having to restart via the
>power button.
>
>For now, I've uninstalled the MA111 utilities from the Windows 98 box,
>plugged the network cable back in, and it's working again -- for now.
>But it can't stay where it is (as new machinery is coming), so...
>
>Anyone have any suggestions, ideas, comments, etc?

Here's one: Load XP on the machine.
Another: Run CAT5 to the other room.
Another: Email Netgear Supprt.
Another: Get a beer and forget the damn internet for awhile.
>- Tom Kiefer
> thogek @ earthlink . net

On 3 Sep 2003 09:29:41 -0700, (E-Mail Removed) (Tom Kiefer) wrote:

>I've been having serious problems getting my Windows 98 box connected
>wirelessly to an existing wireless home network, using a Netgear MA111
>adapter. I'm not an OS or networking expert (although not entirely
>clueless on a computer, either). If anyone has any ideas....
>
>Existing network:
> + Netgear MR814 router (802.11b) connected to Earthlink DSL
> + Laptop with Windows XP Home & Netgear MA521 802.11b wireless PC
>card
> + Desktop with Windows 98 & existing NIC card plugged via cable into
>router
>
>What I'm trying to do:
>Remove the cable from the Windows 98 box and connect it wirelessly via
>a Netgear MA111 adapter (so I can move the box into another room and
>still have a network connection).
>
>Installing the MA111 drivers seems to go well, and all indications (as
>suggested in the MA111 paperwork) suggest that the drivers are
>correctly installed.
>
>Installing the MA111 itself seems to go well, and the MA111
>configuration utility is able to recognize and configure the MA111.
>It can also see (by name) our local wireless network. I configured
>the MA111 with all the same settings (WEP included) as the router and
>the laptop's PC card. The MA111 insists that it can see the network,
>and has great signal strength (the router's three feet away), although
>it does have trouble deciding whether it's connected at 2 MBS or 11
>MBS.
>
>However, attempts to browse the web or access email or do anything
>involving the network/internet all fail, as though no network were
>present at all.
>
>Further, one restart after the installation, I start having serious
>problems with the MA111's config utility. Within half a minute of
>restarting, the machine is completely locked up to any input (mouse
>motion still registers with the pointer, but there is little or no
>response to clicks or keyboard input), and if I'm lucky enough to
>eventually get the Task Manager up, it says that a "Wlancfg4" process
>is not responding. (This matches the name of one of the MA111 config
>executables.) On the rare occasion that I'm quick enough to kill that
>process early, my computer returns to normal responsiveness (although
>still no network). Otherwise, I end up having to restart via the
>power button.
>
>For now, I've uninstalled the MA111 utilities from the Windows 98 box,
>plugged the network cable back in, and it's working again -- for now.
>But it can't stay where it is (as new machinery is coming), so...
>
>Anyone have any suggestions, ideas, comments, etc?

Here's one: Load XP on the 98 Box.
Another: Put down CAT5 to the other room.
>
>- Tom Kiefer
> thogek @ earthlink . net

In article <(E-Mail Removed) >,
(E-Mail Removed) says...
>
>
>I've been having serious problems getting my Windows 98 box connected
>wirelessly to an existing wireless home network, using a Netgear MA111
>adapter. I'm not an OS or networking expert (although not entirely
>clueless on a computer, either). If anyone has any ideas....
>

I've never had anything but problems trying to use wireless usb adapters
on win98. And I have had good luck using the same adapters on win2000 and
winxp. I believe it's just the poor usb support in win98 (imho).

I would either upgrade the os, use a regular nic or try a pci wireless
card. Good luck!
Robert

> Here's one: Load XP on the machine.
I'm considering this one, although I'm not sure this particular old
P3-500 will support it. But if nothing else'll work, this possibility
is hanging in the back of my mind.

> Another: Run CAT5 to the other room.
Impractical in my house. Also, my dog'll eat it.

> Another: Email Netgear Supprt.
Already done, but they don't seem terribly speedy about getting around
to a response.

> Another: Get a beer and forget the damn internet for awhile.
Heh.

- Tom Kiefer
thogek @ earthlink . net


3818301284108908 <82391023@23891023.123> wrote:
> Here's one: Load XP on the machine.
> Another: Run CAT5 to the other room.
> Another: Email Netgear Supprt.
> Another: Get a beer and forget the damn internet for awhile.


> On 3 Sep 2003 09:29:41 -0700, (E-Mail Removed) (Tom Kiefer) wrote:
> >I've been having serious problems getting my Windows 98 box connected
> >wirelessly to an existing wireless home network, using a Netgear MA111
> >adapter. I'm not an OS or networking expert (although not entirely
> >clueless on a computer, either). If anyone has any ideas....
[snip]

Same exact thing here with Netgear Ma111 and Win 98SE, I also tried the
Microsoft USB adapter and after 3 hours on the phone with Microsoft tech
support we gave up. I am returning the netgear ma111 tomorrow and am
either going to try a pci wireless or just go with the homeplug/power
network solution. That should work fine if all else fails...

>
> > On 3 Sep 2003 09:29:41 -0700, (E-Mail Removed) (Tom Kiefer) wrote:
> > >I've been having serious problems getting my Windows 98 box connected
> > >wirelessly to an existing wireless home network, using a Netgear MA111
> > >adapter. I'm not an OS or networking expert (although not entirely
> > >clueless on a computer, either). If anyone has any ideas....
> [snip]

I recently purchased the MA111 aswell. I can get it to work pertfectly under
winXP but win ME has doesnt' seem to like the netgear configuration
software. It installs and works fine for like 1 minute, then for no reason
disconnects and the wireless icon in the taskbar keeps dissapearing then
re-appearing. If i reset the computer it works again but then after a minute
the same thing happens again. Can't seem to work out what the problem is. I
suspect it's the netgear software.

Does anyone know if there is any alternative software i can use?


"R Michael Guterres" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> Same exact thing here with Netgear Ma111 and Win 98SE, I also tried the
> Microsoft USB adapter and after 3 hours on the phone with Microsoft tech
> support we gave up. I am returning the netgear ma111 tomorrow and am
> either going to try a pci wireless or just go with the homeplug/power
> network solution. That should work fine if all else fails...
>
> >
> > > On 3 Sep 2003 09:29:41 -0700, (E-Mail Removed) (Tom Kiefer) wrote:
> > > >I've been having serious problems getting my Windows 98 box connected
> > > >wirelessly to an existing wireless home network, using a Netgear
MA111
> > > >adapter. I'm not an OS or networking expert (although not entirely
> > > >clueless on a computer, either). If anyone has any ideas....
> > [snip]