How to test wireless problem?

I'm having intermittent wireless troubles between my R51 Thinkpad and the
wireless router. The Thinkpad works fine with the router as long as an
ethernet cable is directly connected.

When I see the problem of not being able to download email or get to the
internet, how can I test whether
the wireless router or the Thinkpad is the problem?

Thanks -

On Jun 1, 12:18 pm, "harlen" <harlen(no-dot)n...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> I'm having intermittent wireless troubles between my R51 Thinkpad and the
> wireless router. The Thinkpad works fine with the router as long as an
> ethernet cable is directly connected.
>
> When I see the problem of not being able to download email or get to the
> internet, how can I test whether
> the wireless router or the Thinkpad is the problem?
>
> Thanks -

First, if all else fails, RTFM (read the instructions) on configuring
WAP/router
and clients to connect to it. You likely will want to do this via tp-
connection.

Then, just do it, and check progress via router's logs, client's
connection
manager (you could have told us the os version, you know!) status, IP
config.

Just the basics. (You wanted more for free?)

J

"harlen" <harlen(no-dot)(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>I'm having intermittent wireless troubles between my R51 Thinkpad and the
>wireless router. The Thinkpad works fine with the router as long as an
>ethernet cable is directly connected.
>
>When I see the problem of not being able to download email or get to the
>internet, how can I test whether
>the wireless router or the Thinkpad is the problem?

By using ping. Start at the end closest to you and work your way
towards the internet. Initially, use IP addresses, not DNS lookups,
to eliminate that potential source of problems. Start with:

1. Ping 127.0.0.1
2. Ping Your_R51_IP_address.
3. Ping Your_router_LAN_IP_address.
4. Ping Your_router_WAN_IP_address.
5. Ping Your_ISP_Gateway_IP_address.
6. Ping Your_ISP_Mail_Server_IP_Address.

If any of these fail, that's where your connection is having a
problem. You need to get the numbers BEFORE things screwup. Also
note that some of these might change.

1. 127.0.0.1 is localhost. If that fails, you have your network
stack all screwed up on your PC.
2. To get your own IP address (as assigned by your unspecified model
router), run:
start -> run -> cmd<enter>
ipconfig
3. Your router LAN IP Address is the "gateway" IP address from the
ipconfig command.
4,5. Your router WAN and ISP Gateway IP addresses can be extracted
from the "status" page in your unspecified model router. These may
change regularly so get the numbers before using ping to test.
6. Your mail server IP address can be obtain by simply pinging it by
name and writing down the returned IP address.
ping mail.your_ISP.com
or something like that. Many ISP's post this information on the web
pile.

If all of these work, but you still can't reliably connect, it might
be a DNS server problem. First, flush the DNS cache with:
start -> run -> cmd<enter>
ipconfig /flushdns
Then try pinging various sites by name and see if anything comes back.
ping www.example.com
Try to pick something that is NOT likely to have been previously
accessed. If it fails, your ISP's DNS server, your router's DNS
cache, or your PC's DNS resolver are screwed.

--
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

harlen wrote:
> I'm having intermittent wireless troubles between my R51 Thinkpad and the
> wireless router.

I'll bet you've got a Linksys WRT54G

"the_bmac" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> harlen wrote:
>> I'm having intermittent wireless troubles between my R51 Thinkpad and the
>> wireless router.
>
> I'll bet you've got a Linksys WRT54G

Nope. I have a D-Link DI 624 Rev C.

On Jun 1, 7:51 pm, "harlen" <harlen(no-dot)n...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> "the_bmac" <b...@c.com> wrote in message
>
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> > I'll bet you've got a Linksys WRT54G

Why should that be so obvious?

> Nope. I have a D-Link DI 624 Rev C.

Can you describe a bit about the environment of installation? What's
between the router and your Thinkpad (when placed where connection
dropouts occur)?


--
http://wlan-antenna.confero24.com

c24 wrote:
> On Jun 1, 7:51 pm, "harlen" <harlen(no-dot)n...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>> "the_bmac" <b...@c.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>>> I'll bet you've got a Linksys WRT54G
>
> Why should that be so obvious?

Because I have an R51 and a WRT54G and since I've had it I've had the same sort of "drop off" issue
that the OP described. Just a SWAG on my part.

On Jun 2, 4:30 am, c24 <confer...@googlemail.com> wrote:
>
> Can you describe a bit about the environment of installation? What's
> between the router and your Thinkpad (when placed where connection
> dropouts occur)?

I'm having the same problems with a Thinkpad R40 and a "MyEssentials"
wireless router. I previously had a DLink I gave to a relative when I
moved. Never had a problem with DLink, not once.

Not only do I get dropped from service when I use a cordless telephone
with this new router, I just posted on this group about two perfectly
fine wireless RCA headphones that have gone dead at the same physical
(geographical) address where this router is installed. I want to know
if it's coincidence or not that all the wireless systems in use at
this physical geographical address are screwed up since buying the new
router. The router/modem are installed in a room with gypsumboard
walls and frame wood construction. The busted headphones are in one
adjacent room. The Thinkpad is used in a third room (also adjacent to
where the router/modem are installed).

I did everything JLiebermann said. There's no problem *except* during
any kind of VOIP transaction (use of a cordless phone). I DO NOT HAVE
A VOIP PHONE SERVICE. But, for example, I contact Customer Service at
Amazon.com, click on a tab that automatically rings your phone and
connects you to them. At that point, my internet service always is
interrupted/dropped.

Wow, would I ever appreciate some feedback before going out and buying
two new headphones and returning this router.

"c24" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) oups.com...
> On Jun 1, 7:51 pm, "harlen" <harlen(no-dot)n...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>> "the_bmac" <b...@c.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>
>> > I'll bet you've got a Linksys WRT54G
>
> Why should that be so obvious?
>
>> Nope. I have a D-Link DI 624 Rev C.
>
> Can you describe a bit about the environment of installation? What's
> between the router and your Thinkpad (when placed where connection
> dropouts occur)?
>
>
> --
> http://wlan-antenna.confero24.com
>
According to my wireless indicator, my signal quality is very good. My
problem, which can occur at any time, happens when I come out of
hibernation. Rebooting the laptop helps some of the time. Power recycling
the DSL modem and router doesn't help.

The next time I loose the wireless connection to email or internet, I'll
start pinging around as one poster suggested.

Thanks -

My
> problem, which can occur at any time, happens when I come out of
> hibernation.

I've read other posters have problems coming out of hibernation.
Zone Alarm was a problem.