A problem with my router has surfaced in the past day or so. I first noticed it after I reformatted my HDD, so that may be a big clue.
Anyway, the router is a Linksys BEFW11S4 V4, and is using (I believe) default settings (save for some port forwarding to my laptop). I reformatted my XP Home edition laptop and the wireless card autodetected, found the network, and that was that.
Then, I noticed that whenever I was using AIM or doing anything else, the connection would drop after about 10 minutes. Then, it would reconnect within 3-5 seconds on its own. Repeat ad nauseum every 5-10 minutes.
One Google site suggested I go into my connection properties and uncheck “Enable network access control using IEEE 802.1X.” I did that about 20 minutes ago and thought it solved the problem, but it just happened again. I’m pretty flustered since Googling turned up little help.
Anyway, my guess is that it’s not an interference issue, since it’s been fine up until the past day or so, when I reformatted, and we haven’t added any wireless phones or anything of that sort since.
If it’s important, I’ve also turned on the XP Internet Connection Firewall.
I read somewhere that some of these routers had firmware issues. I also know there is some non-official firmware that adds lots of features to this device, some group with “angel” in the name made it or sth.
Anyway the solution was installing a proper firmware. I don’t remember if it was the latest version that had problems or one of the older ones, though. The angelsomething firmware also corrected this. Try to google for it.
FYI
I’ve heard that this is very insecure. Basically anyone else w/ a wireless adapter can join you network and have access that bypasses the XP internet firewall.
Have you installed XP SP2? Linksys setup and XP’s SP2’s built in wireless router setup will butt heads and give you exactly the lind of drop errors you are experiencing.
If so do the following.
1: Scrub out the entire Linksys router hardware/software install via the control panel add/remove applet.
2: Unplug the router - remove Linksys setup/install CD if in drive
3: Re-start machine without disk
4: Let Windows XP (SP2) recognize and use it’s defaults for installation and setup of router -
Make sure that you are using the latest version of firmware for your router. I have suffered through similar problems on a wide variety of cheap routers. Almost always caused by bugs in the router firmware.
Question
I am experiencing intermittent connections on my wireless client machines, what can I do to help this?
Answer
If you are having irregular wireless connections, you can help by checking the following factors, all of which can greatly affect your wireless signals:
2.4 GHz interference: Your router may be operating on the same frequency as your cordless telephone system (or even your neighbors), or other nearby equipment. Try to change your router’s channel to 1 or 11 (the default is 6) and restart the wireless computers. Consult the router’s documentation or see Answer ID 470 if you are unsure on how to do so.
Physical obstructions: Your router or wireless computers may be loosing connectivity because of physical obstacles, including walls and floors. Try to physically move the equipment to different locations to find a better link.
Placement of the router: Linksys suggests that you place your router as high off the ground as possible. If placing in a high location, be sure to give leave a distance of 2-feet between the router antenna tips and the ceiling and wall. If your signal goes through multiple floors, try to place the router on the upper-most floor, and up high in the room that it will be placed in.
Surroundings: Keep the router away from large metal objects, bodies of water (fish tanks, bathrooms), and any electrical equipment including television sets, microwaves, radios, etc.
I’m hesitant to mess around with the firmware in the router, since it’s worked fine for a year now with no trouble and has only become an issue on my laptop since I reformatted it. But if it keeps up, it may prove to be a good idea.
That’s okay, I’d rather have an accessible, open network than an unaccessible, secure network.
Nope, no SP2. Didn’t install any router software anywhere originally, it just all autodetected and worked fine from the get-go.
I’ll try changing the channel and see if that helps.
This probably won’t help, but you could try reseting your router to factory defaults. Maybe some odd bit of configuration got switched somehow… Just a thought. It would be the first thing I would try, probably followed by a firmware update.