HP laptop and Westell VersaLink Issues... Advice?

I just purchased a new HP HDX 18. After countless hours on the phone with both Verizon and HP and a serious google-fest I am narrowing down on something. It seems there are compatibility issues with HP and Dell computers connecting with Westell VersaLink 327W. Unfortunately I cannot figure out whose problem this is (HP or Verizon) because they both blame the other, therefore, I cannot get this problem fixed!! My laptop loses connection (wireless) at least 2-3 times every half hour!! It is NOT an interference issue nor is it an issue with my card itself, both have been thoroughly checked. I'm frustrated and have spent nearly my entire week break dealing with this. My summer term starts tomorrow and I really need a solution.

Is this happening to anyone else?
Any advice what to do??

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

It looks like it is happening to a lot of people after googling that mode/router. Since the device is provided directly to verizon, you're out of luck when it comes to a firmware fix, which is probably the best answer.

The reason your out of luck is because westell does not provide end user support so no firmware fixes are available; also, since Verizon is getting out of the land line business, they are probably not likely to push for a firmware fix for all the crappy dsl modem/router combo boxes they bought.

Does everything work fine when you connect with a network cable?

If so, the Westell VersaLink 327W is dsl modem/router with a 4-port switch and a wireless transmitter. If all works well with a wired connection, we can rule out the router function being the culprit and say it is the wireless function that does not work.

If that is the case, what I would do is disable wireless on the westell, buy a wireless access point and hook it up to one of the open ports, and allow the access point to handle wireless.

Strangely, wireless access points are more costly than routers these days, but some routers can be used as either a router or access point (actually, almost any router can, but there are wrinkles that can make your life miserable, so it is best to go with one that can be a "pure" access point.)

Here is a very good wireless router/access point

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833162134

$50 is probably more than you should spend to fix Verizon's problem, but that is the easiest/best solution

If you can find a used wireless router somewhere for less, it MAY work depending on the router. Give a model number and someone can walk you through it if you need help, but the basic steps are

a) westell uses a http://192.168.1.1 and it also serves as a dhcp server
b) you need a router that works on this network or can be set to use this network (not all can)
c) disable dhcp on the new router
d) hook up a network cable (tecnically, a crossover cable, but most routers have autosensing ports now, so not an issue if the new router was made in the last 5 years) from one of the LAN ports on the Westell to one of the LAN ports on the new router (not the WAN or INTERNET port).




What I would do is disable wireless in the router

 

I thank you so very much for replying!! This is a wonderfully detailed response. I plan to do exactly what you suggest. I have one question you said "you need a router that works on this network or can be set to this network" how do I know if the one you suggested will work on my particular network?

Thanks again for your time, it is much appreciated!

 

Not detailed enough, I guess

This particular router works as both a router or a access point, that is why I suggested that one.

What I was trying to say is that most routers will work provided you can manually set the network address and disable dhcp.

To make this easy, you need to know what network your current setup is--in this case (probably) 192.168.1.1 through 192.168.1.254

On your computer, press START ORB, and type CMD in the run/search box at the bottom. in a moment, CMD will appear at the top, right click it and choose RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR.

When the black box appears, type ipconfig
hit enter

You should see your current ip address for your machine is 192.168.1.2 (probably)--that is the DHCP server giving your computer a network address

What you would need if you used a other router is one that you can set the network address to a number like 192.168.1.???

If you have one like that lying around, you don't need to order the one I showed you. The problem is that some routers have fixed lan addresses (like) 192.168.14.???.

I'm going to avoid complicating this further with talk of subnet masks--suffice to say that if the THIRD number (octet) is FIXED, this router will not talk to your WESTELL and you would have a laptop that does not connect to anything.

The one I suggested can be switched to Access Point mode, which means it will simple connect to your WESTELL and take all the work out of it.

But, before you do anything, I would try a couple things...know anyone with a router? Borrow it and set it up like I described. Find out the model number and someone here will tell you if it will work.

Also check your laptop out on someone else's network and see if the problem repeats.

One of those will ensure we have the problem correctly identified.