Wireless File Sharing Problem

I am having, what seems to me, a strange problem regarding wireless file
sharing.

At this stage I shall just briefly outline the network without going into
specifics of device identification as I do not think that it helps.

I have a wireless modem/router connected by Ethernet to a hub which also
connects a print server and my desktop (running XP home SP2). I also have a
laptop (running XP Pro SP2) which is wirelessly connected to the network via
the router. It is this wireless connection and file sharing that is causing
the problem.

If I am in the same room as the network and connect the laptop to the system
either via Ethernet or wirelessly I have no problems - which indicates to me
that there is no problem with firewalls, sharing setups etc.

The problems start when I move into another room. Sometimes the signal
drops from 'excellent' to 'very good', but not always. However when I try to
restore my network share connection I get 'The local device name is already
in use'. I have tried to disconnect and reconnect the share, but I can no
longer 'see' the desktop machine when I browse the network and all other
attempts to correct the problem result in errors telling me that I cannot
connect. I have tried repairing the wireless connection, but nothing
changes. I am pulling my hair out (not much left anyway) there is no point
in being wireless if I have to be in the same room!! Internet and printing
connections continue to work fine.

Any clues as to what may be happening here?

David

wings wrote:

> I am having, what seems to me, a strange problem regarding wireless
> file sharing.
>
> At this stage I shall just briefly outline the network without going
> into specifics of device identification as I do not think that it
> helps.
>
> I have a wireless modem/router connected by Ethernet to a hub which
> also
> connects a print server and my desktop (running XP home SP2). I also
> have a laptop (running XP Pro SP2) which is wirelessly connected to
> the network via
> the router. It is this wireless connection and file sharing that is
> causing the problem.
>
> If I am in the same room as the network and connect the laptop to the
> system either via Ethernet or wirelessly I have no problems - which
> indicates to me that there is no problem with firewalls, sharing
> setups etc.
>
> The problems start when I move into another room. Sometimes the
> signal
> drops from 'excellent' to 'very good', but not always. However when I
> try to restore my network share connection I get 'The local device
> name is already
> in use'. I have tried to disconnect and reconnect the share, but I
> can no longer 'see' the desktop machine when I browse the network and
> all other attempts to correct the problem result in errors telling me
> that I cannot
> connect. I have tried repairing the wireless connection, but nothing
> changes. I am pulling my hair out (not much left anyway) there is no
> point
> in being wireless if I have to be in the same room!! Internet and
> printing connections continue to work fine.

Since you know the wireless works, you know the main settings are fine.
Wireless is extremely sensitive to interference, building materials,
etc. Here are a few suggestions to try:

1. Make sure you are really connecting to *your* wireless network. Many
people will just leave the SSID (wireless network name) at the default,
like "Linksys" for that type of router. You could have quite a few
people in your neighborhood with "Linksys" as the SSID and there is the
possibility that you are connecting to *their* Linksys and not yours.
If this is applicable to you, change your SSID to something else. You
make this change in the router's configuration.

2. Change the wireless channel. If you have a lot of other wireless
devices - cordless phones, microwave, etc. - that can cause signal
loss. So if you are current on Channel 6, try Channel 11. You make this
change in the router's configuration and will not need to change
anything on the wireless clients.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

"Malke" wrote:

>
> Since you know the wireless works, you know the main settings are fine.
> Wireless is extremely sensitive to interference, building materials,
> etc. Here are a few suggestions to try:
>
> 1. Make sure you are really connecting to *your* wireless network. Many
> people will just leave the SSID (wireless network name) at the default,
> like "Linksys" for that type of router. You could have quite a few
> people in your neighborhood with "Linksys" as the SSID and there is the
> possibility that you are connecting to *their* Linksys and not yours.
> If this is applicable to you, change your SSID to something else. You
> make this change in the router's configuration.
>
> 2. Change the wireless channel. If you have a lot of other wireless
> devices - cordless phones, microwave, etc. - that can cause signal
> loss. So if you are current on Channel 6, try Channel 11. You make this
> change in the router's configuration and will not need to change
> anything on the wireless clients.
>
Thanks for your prompt response.

Point one was an issue before I posted here - I found that I was
automatically connecting to a neighbour's unencrypted wireless link, but I
think I have stopped that happening. Mind you, then my printing stopped of
course.

I have been working through the channels and after a few tries seem to have
found one that works, so fingers-crossed that might just have proved to be
the solution - here's hoping.

Many thanks,

David

wings wrote:

> Thanks for your prompt response.
>
> Point one was an issue before I posted here - I found that I was
> automatically connecting to a neighbour's unencrypted wireless link, but I
> think I have stopped that happening. Mind you, then my printing stopped
> of course.
>
> I have been working through the channels and after a few tries seem to
> have found one that works, so fingers-crossed that might just have proved
> to be the solution - here's hoping.

Glad you got it sorted. You were probably printing to their printer! If you
need more help, post back.

Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"