Wireless constantly dropping connection

I just recently set up a wireless home network using a Linksys WRT54GS
Router, a WPC54GS card in my laptop and WMP54GS card in my desktop PC.
The laptop works perfectly without any problems. I set up my desktop with
the same settings and it keeps dropping te connection. The signal strength is
just a little less on the desktop but is still showing 91%. I have to always
click on the wireless "repair" in order to connect to the internet again. I
have tried switching to different channels without any help. Does anyone know
of a program that I can use that would run in the background, that checks the
internet connection and reconnects when it is lost? Or is there a way of
getting this resolved so that it stays connected. Thank you!

Thank you for your reply! I was thinking the same thing. I have changed the
channels many times without any success. I have all the latest drivers and
software updates. It is just weird that my laptop works fine and it is only
about 20 feet away.

"mikeFNB" wrote:

> i think it could be interference, microwave oven, dect phone, other
> networks?
> try changing your channel
>
> mike
>
> "ironmak" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:599255A0-F5EF-4A32-9983-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > I just recently set up a wireless home network using a Linksys WRT54GS
> > Router, a WPC54GS card in my laptop and WMP54GS card in my desktop PC.
> > The laptop works perfectly without any problems. I set up my desktop with
> > the same settings and it keeps dropping te connection. The signal strength
> is
> > just a little less on the desktop but is still showing 91%. I have to
> always
> > click on the wireless "repair" in order to connect to the internet again.
> I
> > have tried switching to different channels without any help. Does anyone
> know
> > of a program that I can use that would run in the background, that checks
> the
> > internet connection and reconnects when it is lost? Or is there a way of
> > getting this resolved so that it stays connected. Thank you!
>
>
>

This might sound strange, but...

Check what you've got located around your desktop. I read about a case in a
trade magazine where someone was having the exact problem you're discussing.
The signal strength read high, changing channels didn't work, and the laptop
was running fine. As it turned out, the CD's that were stacked near the
desktop in a holder were causing a signal bounce-back to the desktop
antenna. The "reflected" TX signal from the desktop were effectively
masking the signal from the router.

I would try relocating the router and clearing away anything from the
desktop to see if you can locate the problem.

"ironmak" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:599255A0-F5EF-4A32-9983-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I just recently set up a wireless home network using a Linksys WRT54GS
> Router, a WPC54GS card in my laptop and WMP54GS card in my desktop PC.
> The laptop works perfectly without any problems. I set up my desktop with
> the same settings and it keeps dropping te connection. The signal strength
> is
> just a little less on the desktop but is still showing 91%. I have to
> always
> click on the wireless "repair" in order to connect to the internet again.
> I
> have tried switching to different channels without any help. Does anyone
> know
> of a program that I can use that would run in the background, that checks
> the
> internet connection and reconnects when it is lost? Or is there a way of
> getting this resolved so that it stays connected. Thank you!

Caveat - This is a "Black Magic" answer: I can tell you What I do but NOT
for sure Why or What it Does.

I have had this problem, and I have seen it at a number of wireless
installations, where the wireless drops the connection and does not
automatically re-acquire it while other systems in the immediate area do not
have signal problems. Sometimes "Repairing" the connection will re-establish
a connection, sometime "Disabling" and waiting for a minute, then "Enabling"
the connection and waiting a few minutes will fix it (which is essentially
what Repair does), and sometimes it requires a system reboot to get it back
working.

On my personal system I changed to a different Wireless NIC manufacturer and
even moved the computer to another place right beside the access point with
no success.

This is what I have done that seems to get rid of the problem permanently:

First, go into Control Panel, Power Settings, and select the Power Schemes
tab. Set the following settings to "Never":

- Turn Off Monitor
- Turn Off Hard Disks
- System Standby
- System Hibernates

Next go to the Hibernate tab and clear the box labeled "Enable Hibernation".

Apply the settings, then exit the Power Settings app. You may need to reboot
the system but it should not be necessary.

On all systems I have encountered that seem to lose their connections and
not be able to re-establish on their own, the above seems to get rid of the
problem. I think it has something to do with the Hibernate mode or that the
O/S is Powering-Off or On something in a screwed-up order, but I do not know
for sure. As I said above, this is a "Black Magic" fix.

What I do on systems where I do no want to "Burn-In" the screen too much is
to set the screen-saver to "Blank" which switches it to a black screen.

Hope this helps,
--
William L. Whipple
EZine.Com

"ironmak" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:599255A0-F5EF-4A32-9983-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I just recently set up a wireless home network using a Linksys WRT54GS
> Router, a WPC54GS card in my laptop and WMP54GS card in my desktop PC.
> The laptop works perfectly without any problems. I set up my desktop with
> the same settings and it keeps dropping te connection. The signal strength
> is
> just a little less on the desktop but is still showing 91%. I have to
> always
> click on the wireless "repair" in order to connect to the internet again.
> I
> have tried switching to different channels without any help. Does anyone
> know
> of a program that I can use that would run in the background, that checks
> the
> internet connection and reconnects when it is lost? Or is there a way of
> getting this resolved so that it stays connected. Thank you!

I am having the same problems. I called for Tech support from Linksys. They
told me it is caused by Windows XP service pack 2 and I should solve the
problem through Microsoft. I have the same home networking equipment. THis
problem started when I downloaded service pack. I am having a hard time
getting anyone to respond.

"ironmak" wrote:

> I just recently set up a wireless home network using a Linksys WRT54GS
> Router, a WPC54GS card in my laptop and WMP54GS card in my desktop PC.
> The laptop works perfectly without any problems. I set up my desktop with
> the same settings and it keeps dropping te connection. The signal strength is
> just a little less on the desktop but is still showing 91%. I have to always
> click on the wireless "repair" in order to connect to the internet again. I
> have tried switching to different channels without any help. Does anyone know
> of a program that I can use that would run in the background, that checks the
> internet connection and reconnects when it is lost? Or is there a way of
> getting this resolved so that it stays connected. Thank you!

I have the same problem with an Actiontec USB wifi since installing the
Service pack 2. I have searched the net, and Microsoft for solution, but
none found--still no cure. I can start & stop Wifi zero services and
restart--sometimes this works, but most offten I have to reboot the computer.
I have changed security settings "Wep" but nothing seems to work

Other computers wired into the router have no connection problems...getting
ready hard wire the upstairs system..wifi with SP2 is a pain. Google search
for the dropping connection problem turned up many users with the same
problem- Strange when connection is lost Status bar shows connection as
"execellent"

"Lawdo2" wrote:

> I am having the same problems. I called for Tech support from Linksys. They
> told me it is caused by Windows XP service pack 2 and I should solve the
> problem through Microsoft. I have the same home networking equipment. THis
> problem started when I downloaded service pack. I am having a hard time
> getting anyone to respond.
>
> "ironmak" wrote:
>
> > I just recently set up a wireless home network using a Linksys WRT54GS
> > Router, a WPC54GS card in my laptop and WMP54GS card in my desktop PC.
> > The laptop works perfectly without any problems. I set up my desktop with
> > the same settings and it keeps dropping te connection. The signal strength is
> > just a little less on the desktop but is still showing 91%. I have to always
> > click on the wireless "repair" in order to connect to the internet again. I
> > have tried switching to different channels without any help. Does anyone know
> > of a program that I can use that would run in the background, that checks the
> > internet connection and reconnects when it is lost? Or is there a way of
> > getting this resolved so that it stays connected. Thank you!

I have the same problem now with two different machines running without SP2
and it happens at home and at the office, soi it's definitely not the router
or the wireless card.... nothing to do with the location of the machines or
the routers..even with strong signal it kicks me out every 2 to 3 minutes and
i have reconnect.
At home i found that if i login to the router and change the channel or
reboot my computer it works fine.... however, if i let my computer go to
stand by and start again the problem happens again..... i cant figure it out,
i have changed routers and wireless cards...HELP!!!!!!!!!!

"Donh" wrote:

> I have the same problem with an Actiontec USB wifi since installing the
> Service pack 2. I have searched the net, and Microsoft for solution, but
> none found--still no cure. I can start & stop Wifi zero services and
> restart--sometimes this works, but most offten I have to reboot the computer.
> I have changed security settings "Wep" but nothing seems to work
>
> Other computers wired into the router have no connection problems...getting
> ready hard wire the upstairs system..wifi with SP2 is a pain. Google search
> for the dropping connection problem turned up many users with the same
> problem- Strange when connection is lost Status bar shows connection as
> "execellent"
>
> "Lawdo2" wrote:
>
> > I am having the same problems. I called for Tech support from Linksys. They
> > told me it is caused by Windows XP service pack 2 and I should solve the
> > problem through Microsoft. I have the same home networking equipment. THis
> > problem started when I downloaded service pack. I am having a hard time
> > getting anyone to respond.
> >
> > "ironmak" wrote:
> >
> > > I just recently set up a wireless home network using a Linksys WRT54GS
> > > Router, a WPC54GS card in my laptop and WMP54GS card in my desktop PC.
> > > The laptop works perfectly without any problems. I set up my desktop with
> > > the same settings and it keeps dropping te connection. The signal strength is
> > > just a little less on the desktop but is still showing 91%. I have to always
> > > click on the wireless "repair" in order to connect to the internet again. I
> > > have tried switching to different channels without any help. Does anyone know
> > > of a program that I can use that would run in the background, that checks the
> > > internet connection and reconnects when it is lost? Or is there a way of
> > > getting this resolved so that it stays connected. Thank you!

We are still trying to find the reason whay this happens. I did find out I
can access the router when this happens...Strange...anybody have a can of
raid...Donh

"Guilloatue" wrote:

> I have the same problem now with two different machines running without SP2
> and it happens at home and at the office, soi it's definitely not the router
> or the wireless card.... nothing to do with the location of the machines or
> the routers..even with strong signal it kicks me out every 2 to 3 minutes and
> i have reconnect.
> At home i found that if i login to the router and change the channel or
> reboot my computer it works fine.... however, if i let my computer go to
> stand by and start again the problem happens again..... i cant figure it out,
> i have changed routers and wireless cards...HELP!!!!!!!!!!
>
> "Donh" wrote:
>
> > I have the same problem with an Actiontec USB wifi since installing the
> > Service pack 2. I have searched the net, and Microsoft for solution, but
> > none found--still no cure. I can start & stop Wifi zero services and
> > restart--sometimes this works, but most offten I have to reboot the computer.
> > I have changed security settings "Wep" but nothing seems to work
> >
> > Other computers wired into the router have no connection problems...getting
> > ready hard wire the upstairs system..wifi with SP2 is a pain. Google search
> > for the dropping connection problem turned up many users with the same
> > problem- Strange when connection is lost Status bar shows connection as
> > "execellent"
> >
> > "Lawdo2" wrote:
> >
> > > I am having the same problems. I called for Tech support from Linksys. They
> > > told me it is caused by Windows XP service pack 2 and I should solve the
> > > problem through Microsoft. I have the same home networking equipment. THis
> > > problem started when I downloaded service pack. I am having a hard time
> > > getting anyone to respond.
> > >
> > > "ironmak" wrote:
> > >
> > > > I just recently set up a wireless home network using a Linksys WRT54GS
> > > > Router, a WPC54GS card in my laptop and WMP54GS card in my desktop PC.
> > > > The laptop works perfectly without any problems. I set up my desktop with
> > > > the same settings and it keeps dropping te connection. The signal strength is
> > > > just a little less on the desktop but is still showing 91%. I have to always
> > > > click on the wireless "repair" in order to connect to the internet again. I
> > > > have tried switching to different channels without any help. Does anyone know
> > > > of a program that I can use that would run in the background, that checks the
> > > > internet connection and reconnects when it is lost? Or is there a way of
> > > > getting this resolved so that it stays connected. Thank you!

ironmak wrote:
> I just recently set up a wireless home network using a Linksys WRT54GS
> Router, a WPC54GS card in my laptop and WMP54GS card in my desktop PC.
> The laptop works perfectly without any problems. I set up my desktop with
> the same settings and it keeps dropping te connection. The signal strength is
> just a little less on the desktop but is still showing 91%. I have to always
> click on the wireless "repair" in order to connect to the internet again. I
> have tried switching to different channels without any help. Does anyone know
> of a program that I can use that would run in the background, that checks the
> internet connection and reconnects when it is lost? Or is there a way of
> getting this resolved so that it stays connected. Thank you!


Symptom:

Wireless connection periodically connects and disconnects at intervals
of a few minutes.

Cause:

Newer 802.11g wireless network cards may have 802.1x authentication
enabled by default. This may cause problems when trying to connect to
wireless networks because they are not currently configured for this
type of authentication. The wireless card will connect for a few minutes
before it tries to authenticate. When it attempts to authenticate it
will fail and disconnect. A few minutes later it will connect again
without authenticating and the connection/disconnection cycle will continue.

Resolution:

Disable 802.1x authentication on the wireless card.

In Windows XP:

Go to Start>>Control Panel>>Network Connections
Double Click Your Wireless Network Connection
Click Properties
Click Wireless Networks Tab
Choose the SSID you are using in the Preferred Networks area
Click Properties
Click on the Authentication Tab
Make sure that Enable 802.1x authentication for this network is NOT checked.
Click OK
Click OK
Click Close


--
Danny Kile
Please reply to the Newsgroup ONLY

"Dogs come when they're called, CATS take a message and get back to
you." Mary Bly