Wireless router problem

Factual Questions
1

I have a basic Cisco wireless router that has problems when we try to connect 2 laptops to it via a wireless connection. It is fine with only 1 PC connected. The first PC is Windows XP, the other one is Windows 7. The XP machine is about 4 years old, the Win 7 machine is 7 months old. We also have a Linux box that is connected to the router via a cable.

With 2 PCs connected there are times when the connection is dropped. Or it takes a very long time to connect as the 2nd laptop. Also I noticed that even the wired Linux box runs into problems when the laptop has problems.

Any advice on how to get rid of these problems?

2

Buy a new router.

How old is it? I don’t think I’ve gone more than 2 years without having to replace one. They’re not exactly the most well-built electronic items, and they’re on 24/7.
edit: try updating the firmware on the router, first. maybe that will help things.

3

I think it’s around a year old. I might buy a new one but I was wondering if there is a quick fix to this issue.

4

yeah check the firmware first.

5

No system messages? It just drops off?

What are the settings?

Beacon?
Frag Threshold?
RTS?

6

I don’t get any messages on the laptops. Settings are default , but we do password protect the router.

I don’t know how to get info on Beacon or Frag Threshold or RTS

The really odd thing to me is the problem with the wired connection, that makes me think the router is going bad.