VERY strange issue

Hi all - to prefix, i work in IT, so know a thing or two about
troubleshooting....maybe someone has experienced this before, i'm at a
loss:

I have a laptop with WinXP SP2, it's got a Linksys pcmcia adapter and
it communicates with my Netgear wireless router. All is good, signal
strength is excellent, but suddenly i lose connection (can't ping the
router, it times out) -- but still when this occurs the signal
strength shows Excellent. To fix it, I pull out the pcmcia card and
put back in... this restores my connection. This happens
periodically, sometimes many times a day, sometimes it may be okay for
a while.

Things I've tried:

1) a different pcmcia card (same model, Linksys WPC55AG v1.1)
2) reinstalling the OS
3) different router (still Netgear, but different brand and at a
different location... while i was on vacation at someone else's house)
4) different laptop (I thought the slots may be bad, so swapped with
another IBM T30)
5) different wireless settings (i.e. with encryption, without
encryption)

I have no metal plates in my head

Not sure what else to try... thought about buying a Linksys router
just to see if it'll help...

anyone has ideas or seen this issue before?

Thanks so much!

Ben

"Ben" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> Hi all - to prefix, i work in IT, so know a thing or two about
> troubleshooting....maybe someone has experienced this before, i'm at a
> loss:
>
> I have a laptop with WinXP SP2, it's got a Linksys pcmcia adapter and
> it communicates with my Netgear wireless router. All is good, signal
> strength is excellent, but suddenly i lose connection (can't ping the
> router, it times out) -- but still when this occurs the signal
> strength shows Excellent. To fix it, I pull out the pcmcia card and
> put back in... this restores my connection. This happens
> periodically, sometimes many times a day, sometimes it may be okay for
> a while.
>
> Things I've tried:
>
> 1) a different pcmcia card (same model, Linksys WPC55AG v1.1)
> 2) reinstalling the OS
> 3) different router (still Netgear, but different brand and at a
> different location... while i was on vacation at someone else's house)
> 4) different laptop (I thought the slots may be bad, so swapped with
> another IBM T30)
> 5) different wireless settings (i.e. with encryption, without
> encryption)
>
> I have no metal plates in my head
>
> Not sure what else to try... thought about buying a Linksys router
> just to see if it'll help...
>
> anyone has ideas or seen this issue before?
>
> Thanks so much!
>
> Ben

Have you used a program such as netstumbler (www.netstumbler.com) to see if
there is any near by access points on the same channel that might be causing
problems? Also are you near any microwaves or other 2.4Ghz devices such as,
cordless phones, video cameras and baby monitors?

Adair

On Dec 29, 7:53*pm, "Adair Winter" <ada...@swbell.net> wrote:
> "Ben" <benm5...@gmail.com> wrote in message
> > Hi all - to prefix, i work in IT, so know a thing or two about
> > troubleshooting....maybe someone has experienced this before, i'm at a
> > loss:
>
> > I have a laptop with WinXP SP2, it's got a Linksys pcmcia adapter and
> > it communicates with my Netgear wireless router. *All is good, signal
> > strength is excellent, but suddenly i lose connection (can't ping the
> > router, it times out) -- but still when this occurs the signal
> > strength shows Excellent. *To fix it, I pull out the pcmcia card and
> > put back in... this restores my connection. * This happens
> > periodically, sometimes many times a day, sometimes it may be okay for
> > a while.
>
> > Things I've tried:
>
> > 1) a different pcmcia card (same model, Linksys WPC55AG v1.1)
> > 2) reinstalling the OS
> > 3) different router (still Netgear, but different brand and at a
> > different location... while i was on vacation at someone else's house)
> > 4) different laptop (I thought the slots may be bad, so swapped with
> > another IBM T30)
> > 5) different wireless settings (i.e. with encryption, without
> > encryption)
>
> > I have no metal plates in my head
>
> > Not sure what else to try... thought about buying a Linksys router
> > just to see if it'll help...
>
> > anyone has ideas or seen this issue before?
>
> > Thanks so much!
>
> > Ben
>
> Have you used a program such as netstumbler (www.netstumbler.com) to see if
> there is any near by access points on the same channel that might be causing
> problems? Also are you near any microwaves or other 2.4Ghz devices such as,
> cordless phones, video cameras and baby monitors?
>
> Adair- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

all my phones are 5.8ghz.... I'm upstairs and so is the router...
there is a microwave dowstairs... but should that stuff also kill my
signal (meaning it wouldn't show Excellent strength) - I still see a
signal, just can't ping anymore....

while I was away from my house, I tried different channels.... didn't
help, while my dad's laptop didn't have any issues (IBM T41 with built
in wireless).

could it be some compatibility issues between Linksys&Netgear... i
kinda doubt it.... I also spent an hour with Linksys support and they
had no idea.

I will try netstumbler, never heard of it before u mentioned. Thx!

"Ben" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
all my phones are 5.8ghz.... I'm upstairs and so is the router...
there is a microwave dowstairs... but should that stuff also kill my
signal (meaning it wouldn't show Excellent strength) - I still see a
signal, just can't ping anymore....

I would not trust windows to tell me anything about how I am connected. Can
you use the utility that came with the linksys card to make the connection
and see if that makes any difference?

while I was away from my house, I tried different channels.... didn't
help, while my dad's laptop didn't have any issues (IBM T41 with built
in wireless).

could it be some compatibility issues between Linksys&Netgear... i
kinda doubt it.... I also spent an hour with Linksys support and they
had no idea.

I doubt it, unless you are trying to use some special speedbooter like
mumbojumbo.

I will try netstumbler, never heard of it before u mentioned. Thx!

Handly program to have.

Also if after all you've tried I'd look for there to be something going on
within the laptop causing the pcmcia card to screw up. Try a different slot
if you have one.
Also is the computer going idle when this happens, could it be trying to
standby or go to sleep or something?
Just curious
Adair

Ben <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>I have a laptop with WinXP SP2, it's got a Linksys pcmcia adapter and
>it communicates with my Netgear wireless router.

OK. You managed to supply the PCMCIA card maker and model (WPC55AG
v1.1). Perhaps you can do the same for the Netgear wireless router?

>All is good, signal
>strength is excellent, but suddenly i lose connection (can't ping the
>router, it times out) -- but still when this occurs the signal
>strength shows Excellent.

What else is happening? Power save on the wireless card? Suspend on
the laptop? Hibernate? Any timed protection programs such as Norton
Internet Security or Zone Alarm?

How about local interference? Other systems nearby? Microwave oven?
Other source?
<http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Interference>

How about power management? Duz it stay up when connected to AC power
but not when running on battery? If so, then it's the power
management settings.

>To fix it, I pull out the pcmcia card and
>put back in... this restores my connection.

Ugh. Software, driver, or firmware bug on either the WPC55AG or the
unspecified Netgear router.

>This happens
>periodically, sometimes many times a day, sometimes it may be okay for
>a while.

Position of moon? Any other users with similar problems?

>Things I've tried:
>1) a different pcmcia card (same model, Linksys WPC55AG v1.1)

Oh-oh. I've had problems with that version. I'm not sure what's
going on but I just did battle with a WPC55AG v1.2. Strangely,
there's no driver download from v1.2. Calling Linksys resulted in a
useless suggestion of installing v1.1 software, which didn't work.
There's also a v1.3 which does work. I never could get v1.1 to work
reliably. It did something like what you describe except that it
wouldn't stay connected after a WPA encryption key update. My guess
is a buggy driver, but it was easier to return the card, and get a
different model. There's also a v1.0 but I have no experience with
that mutation.

>2) reinstalling the OS

Sigh.
Microsoft: What do you want to reinstall today?

>3) different router (still Netgear, but different brand and at a
>different location... while i was on vacation at someone else's house)

Ok, what happened? Did it disconnect in the same way? If so, then
it's the WPC55AG v1.1. If it worked just fine, then it's probably the
unspecified model Netgear router.

>4) different laptop (I thought the slots may be bad, so swapped with
>another IBM T30)

Ok, It's an IBM T30. Check the power management settings. It can
power down the card in order to save battery power.

>5) different wireless settings (i.e. with encryption, without
>encryption)

That's a possible, but unlikely.

>I have no metal plates in my head

That just means you haven't had an irate customer pound you over the
head with their laptop.

>Not sure what else to try... thought about buying a Linksys router
>just to see if it'll help...
>
>anyone has ideas or seen this issue before?

Yep. Netgear WGR614 v3 and v4. Buggy firmware in the router.

--
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

Ben wrote:
>
> all my phones are 5.8ghz.... I'm upstairs and so is the router...
>

Many phones that say they are 5.8, are actually ALSO 2.4 (ie they transmit
on one frequency and receive on another)

> I will try netstumbler, never heard of it before u mentioned. Thx!

it's free.... go to http://www.netstumbler.com/ click on download....

Ben wrote:
> all my phones are 5.8ghz.... I'm upstairs and so is the router...
> there is a microwave dowstairs... but should that stuff also kill my
> signal (meaning it wouldn't show Excellent strength) - I still see a
> signal, just can't ping anymore....

You could a high level of ambient noise and still show
"excellent strength".

Ben wrote:
> Hi all - to prefix, i work in IT, so know a thing or two about
> troubleshooting....maybe someone has experienced this before, i'm at a
> loss:
>
> I have a laptop with WinXP SP2, it's got a Linksys pcmcia adapter and
> it communicates with my Netgear wireless router. All is good, signal
> strength is excellent, but suddenly i lose connection (can't ping the
> router, it times out) -- but still when this occurs the signal
> strength shows Excellent. To fix it, I pull out the pcmcia card and
> put back in... this restores my connection. This happens
> periodically, sometimes many times a day, sometimes it may be okay for
> a while.
>
> Things I've tried:
>
> 1) a different pcmcia card (same model, Linksys WPC55AG v1.1)
> 2) reinstalling the OS
> 3) different router (still Netgear, but different brand and at a
> different location... while i was on vacation at someone else's house)
> 4) different laptop (I thought the slots may be bad, so swapped with
> another IBM T30)
> 5) different wireless settings (i.e. with encryption, without
> encryption)
>
> I have no metal plates in my head
>
> Not sure what else to try... thought about buying a Linksys router
> just to see if it'll help...
>
> anyone has ideas or seen this issue before?
>
> Thanks so much!
>
> Ben
Are you using the "Linksys Utility" to manage the card or the Win XP one?
See the post by jnv11 ref memory leak, he also says it is possible to
use the v1.3 drivers so that may be worth trying.
<http://forums.linksys.com/linksys/board/message?board.id=Wireless_Adapters&message.id=3989 &query.id=155130#M3989>

On Dec 30, 4:42*am, LR <l...@privacy.net> wrote:
> Ben wrote:
> > Hi all - to prefix, i work in IT, so know a thing or two about
> > troubleshooting....maybe someone has experienced this before, i'm at a
> > loss:
>
> > I have a laptop with WinXP SP2, it's got a Linksys pcmcia adapter and
> > it communicates with my Netgear wireless router. *All is good, signal
> > strength is excellent, but suddenly i lose connection (can't ping the
> > router, it times out) -- but still when this occurs the signal
> > strength shows Excellent. *To fix it, I pull out the pcmcia card and
> > put back in... this restores my connection. * This happens
> > periodically, sometimes many times a day, sometimes it may be okay for
> > a while.
>
> > Things I've tried:
>
> > 1) a different pcmcia card (same model, Linksys WPC55AG v1.1)
> > 2) reinstalling the OS
> > 3) different router (still Netgear, but different brand and at a
> > different location... while i was on vacation at someone else's house)
> > 4) different laptop (I thought the slots may be bad, so swapped with
> > another IBM T30)
> > 5) different wireless settings (i.e. with encryption, without
> > encryption)
>
> > I have no metal plates in my head
>
> > Not sure what else to try... thought about buying a Linksys router
> > just to see if it'll help...
>
> > anyone has ideas or seen this issue before?
>
> > Thanks so much!
>
> > Ben
>
> Are you using the "Linksys Utility" to manage the card or the Win XP one?
> See the post by jnv11 ref memory leak, he also says it is possible to
> use the v1.3 drivers so that may be worth trying.
> <http://forums.linksys.com/linksys/board/message?board.id=Wireless_Ada....>- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

To answer some of the questions: no the laptop isn't in power-save,
i'm plugged in and using the latop as this happens suddenly...in fact,
it seems to happen more if i have high net activity such as
downloading a file, but not necessarily. Also, the things I've listed
that i tried didn't fix the issue (to the person that asked what
happened). I'm using the WinXP tool to manage it, but also tried
disabling that and just using the Linksys tool and the same issue
occurred.

I tried the latest firmware on the routers I've messed with. The one
I have at home is a Netgear WGT624 (when I was away from my house it
was a Netgear Rangemax, don't remember the model).

Yesterday it was really bad, a lot of disconnects, and that
Netstumbler tool confirmed I still have a strong signal (~35) when I
stop being able to ping anything. At times, my 'fix' of pulling the
card would last about 5 pings before timing out again. Eventually I
rebooted the router, which helped get it solid for longer again. That
starts indicating a problem with the router, but remember i tried a
brand new Netgear Rangemax with the same issues.

Last nite I picked up a Linksys router (WRT54G)... so far so good...
but a few more days of use will be the real test. It's a bigger
device, not as slick-looking as the netgear... but the netgear felt
really hot to the touch after some use, while this Linksys has stayed
cool overnite. I wonder if it's over-heating issues.... but then
again, my dad didn't have any issues though his laptop when we used
the Rangemax.

LR, thanks for that article, I didn't think to try the v1.3 drivers,
but definitley will be my next try if it fails using the new router as
well...

Thanks for all the responses and good ideas, it's really
appreciated !!!

On Sun, 30 Dec 2007 05:29:48 -0800 (PST), Ben <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>On Dec 30, 4:42*am, LR <l...@privacy.net> wrote:
>> Ben wrote:
>> > Hi all - to prefix, i work in IT, so know a thing or two about
>> > troubleshooting....maybe someone has experienced this before, i'm at a
>> > loss:
>>
>> > I have a laptop with WinXP SP2, it's got a Linksys pcmcia adapter and
>> > it communicates with my Netgear wireless router. *All is good, signal
>> > strength is excellent, but suddenly i lose connection (can't ping the
>> > router, it times out) -- but still when this occurs the signal
>> > strength shows Excellent. *To fix it, I pull out the pcmcia card and
>> > put back in... this restores my connection. * This happens
>> > periodically, sometimes many times a day, sometimes it may be okay for
>> > a while.
>>
>> > Things I've tried:
>>
>> > 1) a different pcmcia card (same model, Linksys WPC55AG v1.1)
>> > 2) reinstalling the OS
>> > 3) different router (still Netgear, but different brand and at a
>> > different location... while i was on vacation at someone else's house)
>> > 4) different laptop (I thought the slots may be bad, so swapped with
>> > another IBM T30)
>> > 5) different wireless settings (i.e. with encryption, without
>> > encryption)
>>
>> > I have no metal plates in my head
>>
>> > Not sure what else to try... thought about buying a Linksys router
>> > just to see if it'll help...
>>
>> > anyone has ideas or seen this issue before?
>>
>> > Thanks so much!
>>
>> > Ben
>>
>> Are you using the "Linksys Utility" to manage the card or the Win XP one?
>> See the post by jnv11 ref memory leak, he also says it is possible to
>> use the v1.3 drivers so that may be worth trying.
>> <http://forums.linksys.com/linksys/board/message?board.id=Wireless_Ada...>- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
>To answer some of the questions: no the laptop isn't in power-save,
>i'm plugged in and using the latop as this happens suddenly...in fact,
>it seems to happen more if i have high net activity such as
>downloading a file, but not necessarily. Also, the things I've listed
>that i tried didn't fix the issue (to the person that asked what
>happened). I'm using the WinXP tool to manage it, but also tried
>disabling that and just using the Linksys tool and the same issue
>occurred.
>
>I tried the latest firmware on the routers I've messed with. The one
>I have at home is a Netgear WGT624 (when I was away from my house it
>was a Netgear Rangemax, don't remember the model).
>
>Yesterday it was really bad, a lot of disconnects, and that
>Netstumbler tool confirmed I still have a strong signal (~35) when I
>stop being able to ping anything. At times, my 'fix' of pulling the
>card would last about 5 pings before timing out again. Eventually I
>rebooted the router, which helped get it solid for longer again. That
>starts indicating a problem with the router, but remember i tried a
>brand new Netgear Rangemax with the same issues.
>
>Last nite I picked up a Linksys router (WRT54G)... so far so good...
>but a few more days of use will be the real test. It's a bigger
>device, not as slick-looking as the netgear... but the netgear felt
>really hot to the touch after some use, while this Linksys has stayed
>cool overnite. I wonder if it's over-heating issues.... but then
>again, my dad didn't have any issues though his laptop when we used
>the Rangemax.

Ben,

I had a problem with a netgear 614 model that had another switch
stacked on top of it. The netgear would get hot and I'd loose the
connection to the router. I'd unplug the netgear, let it cool off
and it would be ok until it got hot again. I finally had the client
leave the netgear in the open and the problem never came back, solid
connections all the time. just a thought. overheating??

Bob Smith
Robert Smith Consulting
NA6T


>LR, thanks for that article, I didn't think to try the v1.3 drivers,
>but definitley will be my next try if it fails using the new router as
>well...
>
>Thanks for all the responses and good ideas, it's really
>appreciated !!!