Wireless Network Problem
 

I have a Linksys Wireless G access point that I use with my laptop all the time - no problems at all. The laptop has an Actiontec PC card.

My kids thoroughly trashed their systems by installing crap and then deleting it (not uninstalling). (I know - I tell them not to, but they are vieing for the Smartest Person In The Universe™).

Anyway, I just formatted one system's HD and reinstalled Windows. I have a Dlink Wireless B USB NIC for them. When I first boot the system (warm or cold), it connects, I can pull up the internet, ping other systems, and everything works for about 1 minute. Then I lose the connection and it will not reconnect until I re-boot my son's computer.

If I pull up the Dlink connection utility immediately after the boot, I see the connection, I see my network and my neighbor's net too. The signal strength is solid at 100%. at about 10 seconds before losing contact, I can see the signal strength start dropping. After I lose it, I can't even see the neighbor's net.

Next I tried a second identical Dlink NIC from my other son's system. Same thing happens.

Its almost like something is seeing the connection and actively killing it.

The system is running Windows ME, freshly installed tonight, Dlink DWL 120e USB Wireless B. The access point is a Linksys WAP-54G.

This did work at one time, except I had a Linksys Wireless B DSL Router. Removed that due to problems many moons ago. So I don't know if this ever worked with the new access point.

This is baffling the crap outta me. Anyone have any ideas?

I'll have to check this later - we just lost our power. Its storming real good outside! Ivan the Terrible!

Could "G" only mode be on or something like that....also....did you say WinME?

I would check within the router itself and make sure its set to allow "mix" or something that says B & G like dlichterman said. If there is no setting for which type of signal it will find then your going to have to get either a wireless B router or a wireless G PC card. Could also call the card manufacter or the router manufacter to make sure.

Re: Wireless Network Problem
 

Try the WEP encryption ... my friend had the same problem with DLink. If you can't input the WEP properly ... then use it's Hexadecimal and put that in it's proper spot (I forget where ... but there is a place to put them in)

But usually, it has to do with the encryption on the router.

-Duane

dlichterman & d0rk: its set to work with all modes and all speeds. The Actiontec NIC I use with my laptop is a Wireless B So I'm sure that its not a setting issue.

And yeah, its ME - They have some older games they like that won't run on XP. I can try 98 SE, I have legal copies of all of Microsoft's OSes.

DuaneJeffers: I'm not using WEP at all. I'm using the MAC address filter.

I have tried using different channels and physically moving the Access Point and my son's computer. Its really strange that using the configuration utility on my son's system, shows all the wireless nets in close proximity for about 1 minute that the all go away. Like I said earlier, its almost like something is seeing the NIC and is actively trying to kill it.

BTW: Our power was out for about 3 hours during the night. Has stayed on since then.