Linksys Router--Laptop--Internet Connection Problem

savery2151 · 28th January 2007

Hello. Hope you can help!

I have a Linksys router connected to a wireless ISP. The router is connected to a desktop via cable and it works fine. I have to IBM thinkpads, both with Win XP. Both have the Wireless Service "On" (WZC).

One laptop finds the router fine and works fine (that is, it connects to the Internet).

The other laptop finds the router fine, but won't "connect" to the Internet. Rarely, it will connect and have "limited or no service" then disconnect.

Does anyone have any ideas to troubleshoot this problem? I've reset the router, too, and no luck.

Thanks!

windux · 28th January 2007

IP address? DHCP?
Authentication occur or only association?
Can you have more than one laptop connected at the same time with your current config?

savery2151 · 28th January 2007

I'll try to answer your questions (I'm a newbie

Thanks for the reply, too.

This is from the Linksys 192.168.1.1 page:

Local IP: 192.168.1.1
Internet IP: 10.10.102.57
Login Type: DHCP (enabled).

Obtains an IP Automatically

Not sure what you mean by authentication or association only....

I can't connect with the laptop when my other (the one that works) is not connected.

Hope this helps...thanks again!

visionof · 28th January 2007

1) is the driver properly installed ( device manager look for question marks ) or does it say the "device is workin properly" ?

2) You may or may not want update or reinstall the driver.
I would hold off on that if the device is working fine

3) will the troublesome laptop connect to the router by cable rather than wireless -check out if the networking is fine

4) ok
check that encryption is set correctly or you may even want to turn it off for the tests
is the laptop in the same location as the working laptop ( there may be interference at the 2nd location)
I would change the channel if it is on 6 to either 1 or 11 as first steps.
Since you have reset the router it most likely is on the default channel 6. ( the same as all your neighbour's routers who most likely you will not even see but cause sporadic disconnects as they come on and on and drift in on and off
does the card scan and see the router ? Does the router list the card ( you can see it if you turn on the whatever the blocking program is called and scan for online wireless devices- just remember to turn the program setting off as you leave)
if the card is connected to the router you will have a 192... ip. If not you will have a 169 ip . ( point argued a couple weeks ago as to the 169 identifying a non connection

Other than that there may be settings as having a b card and the router set to g only rather than mixed.

My biggest suspicicion would be interference from neighbouring routers or the router or card is shielded in its path by metal. Ensure that the router is high and uncluttered.
You can try a usefull networking program called network magic to help in your setup. The first thing I would do is ensure that the card in the computer is working properly. Next thing I would change the wireless channel in the router.

let me know

savery2151 · 29th January 2007

Thanks so much for your reply and suggestions. It definitely wasn't the networking as I could use a line from the router to the laptop.

So, I switched channels (as it was on 6 as you said) and turned of the other laptop, and Voila! the laptop in question is now working perfectly (and I'm on it!).

Whichever it was or both, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I so appreciate it.

Steve

visionof · 29th January 2007

Changing the channels on the router is the first major item to check.
It does not take much - often you cannot even see the culprit in your available networks. It does not take much at all and your computer networking is bouncing between the two or more signals not being able to get a consistent ip.
The frequencies used are standard microwave stuff
can be a multitude of things - 2.4 gig cordless phones, microwave ovens but in almost all cases seems to be a neighbours router.
You can use a more sensitive wi fi scanning program such as Netstumbler:

http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/

to detect the culprit

note several points:

1) the other router may be set on automatic and may change its channel on its own. Or the neighbour may manually change . You may have to change the channel of your router from time to time
2) The interference may be sporadic. The router may be set for a dsl connection for connection on demand.
3) the range from interfering routers can be amazingly long. The can drift in from nowhere.
the record for wi fi reception . ( it is done with a large c band satellite in the desert with little interference ) is 125 miles of so .

http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/31/u...-at-125-miles/

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