USB or Networking problem? (sorry, long)

I have 3 computers networked to an 802.11b "Wiflyer" router/modem (its an
access point with a built in dial up modem).

Computer #1 is a WinCE palmtop using an Ambicom 802.11b CF network card, it
has absolutely no problems staying connected.

Computer#2 is a Win98se with a Linksys WUSB11v4, USB1.1 is built in to the
motherboard, it is connected to a Belkin 7 port powered hub. With or without
using the hub it does the same thing. The network disconnects randomly and
will not reconnect unless it is disconnected (USB) or the PC is rebooted,
most often it has to be rebooted, and the PC always hangs on shutdown (only
when the disconnect problem occurs). The disconnects happen often while
using Internet Explorer or Outlook Express, but while playing an Internet
game called "Tibia" the connection is always stable for hours.

Computer#3 is also a Win98se with a Linksys WUSB11, but has a USB2.0 pci
card installed. It also has the same disconnects (but not at the same time
as PC#2) and will not reconnect unless a reboot is done, disconnecting the
USB results in a complete lockup. It also hangs on shutdown only when the
disconnect problem occurs. It also is stable when playing "Tibia", but
disconnects frequently when using IE or Outlook Express.

When I say "disconnects", I mean it loses both Internet and Local
networking. The Linksys network monitor says its still connected, but its
not. I have tried all recommendations from Linksys (what a joke that was!).
Its not the access point because PC#1 still works when the others don't. The
odd thing is that they don't disconnect when there is frequent small packets
sent and received (playing Tibia), but when using IE, it almost always has a
disconnect problem. Most of the advice I've received was "get rid of the
Linksys USB adapters and install PCI network cards", I'm not convinced
that's the problem, and it would be a waste of money if the same thing
happens.

I'm new to networking, but not to computers. I really need help with this
problem. I've even tried to change some of the settings for the adapter via
regedit, but nothing has worked yet. There has to be something stumbling and
locking the wireless adapter, or the USB, or something in the networking
settings during IE and Outlook that is not happening during online gaming.
One other thing, when the connection drops, I use WINIPCFG.EXE to check the
IP status and if I try to release or renew the IP, then IPCONFIG itself
freezes and cant even be killed with task manager.

What would be the ideal settings for the "Fragmentation threshold", "RTS
threshold", and "Beacon period" for a wireless network that uses a 56k
dialup Internet connection? They are currently set (on the access point) to
2304,2304, and 50 respectively.
If this won't help, what will?
Please, no "dump the USB" replies.
DB

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, "bswarm"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>I have 3 computers networked to an 802.11b "Wiflyer" router/modem (its an
>access point with a built in dial up modem).
>
>Computer #1 is a WinCE palmtop using an Ambicom 802.11b CF network card, it
>has absolutely no problems staying connected.
>
>Computer#2 is a Win98se with a Linksys WUSB11v4, USB1.1 is built in to the
>motherboard, it is connected to a Belkin 7 port powered hub. With or without
>using the hub it does the same thing. The network disconnects randomly and
>will not reconnect unless it is disconnected (USB) or the PC is rebooted,
>most often it has to be rebooted, and the PC always hangs on shutdown (only
>when the disconnect problem occurs). The disconnects happen often while
>using Internet Explorer or Outlook Express, but while playing an Internet
>game called "Tibia" the connection is always stable for hours.
>
>Computer#3 is also a Win98se with a Linksys WUSB11, but has a USB2.0 pci
>card installed. It also has the same disconnects (but not at the same time
>as PC#2) and will not reconnect unless a reboot is done, disconnecting the
>USB results in a complete lockup. It also hangs on shutdown only when the
>disconnect problem occurs. It also is stable when playing "Tibia", but
>disconnects frequently when using IE or Outlook Express.
>
>When I say "disconnects", I mean it loses both Internet and Local
>networking. The Linksys network monitor says its still connected, but its
>not. I have tried all recommendations from Linksys (what a joke that was!).
>Its not the access point because PC#1 still works when the others don't. The
>odd thing is that they don't disconnect when there is frequent small packets
>sent and received (playing Tibia), but when using IE, it almost always has a
>disconnect problem. Most of the advice I've received was "get rid of the
>Linksys USB adapters and install PCI network cards", I'm not convinced
>that's the problem, and it would be a waste of money if the same thing
>happens.
>
>I'm new to networking, but not to computers. I really need help with this
>problem. I've even tried to change some of the settings for the adapter via
>regedit, but nothing has worked yet. There has to be something stumbling and
>locking the wireless adapter, or the USB, or something in the networking
>settings during IE and Outlook that is not happening during online gaming.
>One other thing, when the connection drops, I use WINIPCFG.EXE to check the
>IP status and if I try to release or renew the IP, then IPCONFIG itself
>freezes and cant even be killed with task manager.
>
>What would be the ideal settings for the "Fragmentation threshold", "RTS
>threshold", and "Beacon period" for a wireless network that uses a 56k
>dialup Internet connection? They are currently set (on the access point) to
>2304,2304, and 50 respectively.
>If this won't help, what will?
>Please, no "dump the USB" replies.
>DB

OK, this isn't a "dump the USB" reply. It's a "dump the Linksys"
reply, which I don't think is what you want to hear, either. Sorry.

I've had repeated problems with Linksys wireless network adapters,
especially on Windows versions earlier than Windows XP. I won't buy
Linksys for myself or for my consulting clients. If a client asks me
to install a Linksys wireless network adapter, I say that I'll try,
but that I can't guarantee that it will install correctly or work
reliably. In my opinion, it's not worth the time and effort to try to
troubleshoot Linksys problems.

I've had generally good results with the Motorola WU830G USB wireless
network adapter on Windows 98 SE.

An even more reliable solution, because it doesn't use USB and doesn't
require wireless network drivers, is a wireless-to-Ethernet bridge
like the D-Link DWL-G810 or DWL-G820.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

"Steve Winograd [MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> OK, this isn't a "dump the USB" reply. It's a "dump the Linksys"
> reply, which I don't think is what you want to hear, either. Sorry.
>
> I've had repeated problems with Linksys wireless network adapters,
> especially on Windows versions earlier than Windows XP. I won't buy
> Linksys for myself or for my consulting clients. If a client asks me
> to install a Linksys wireless network adapter, I say that I'll try,
> but that I can't guarantee that it will install correctly or work
> reliably. In my opinion, it's not worth the time and effort to try to
> troubleshoot Linksys problems.
>
> I've had generally good results with the Motorola WU830G USB wireless
> network adapter on Windows 98 SE.
>
> An even more reliable solution, because it doesn't use USB and doesn't
> require wireless network drivers, is a wireless-to-Ethernet bridge
> like the D-Link DWL-G810 or DWL-G820.
> --
> Best Wishes,
> Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)
>

Yes, I agree and I will never buy another Linksys product again, and have
told
them exactly that. They really don't care that they cannot provide support
for Win98se even though it is supposed to work on Win98se.
But what I don't understand is why the connection is stable playing an
online game, but not in IE or OE. I think
I'm going to experiment with lower
fragmentation settings on the Wiflyer and see what happens. Does the
fragmentation have to be a multiple of 128, or can I just plug any number
in?
DB