Is it Bell Sympatico Wireless or my laptop that's not working properly?

I recently got internet installed at my parents house to use when I go visit them. Since I don't need anything super fast there I got a Sympatico Total Internet Essential package with speeds up to 500kbps. It's just above dial-up.

Here's the problem: When I use the wireless connection to browse every so often I get the message below (end of post). Then when I click "Retry" it works. This could happen every other link that I press.

My question is: Is this a problem with sympatico or the wireless on my laptop (WLAN:802.11 A/G/N). What's the best way to diagnose it? Maybe try the laptop with LAN for awhile? Your suggestions pls.

Thanks.
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Address Not Found

Firefox can't find the server at forum.notebookreview.com.
The browser could not find the host server for the provided address.

* Did you make a mistake when typing the domain? (e.g. "ww.mozilla.org" instead of "www.mozilla.org")
* Are you certain this domain address exists? Its registration may have expired.
* Are you unable to browse other sites? Check your network connection and DNS server settings.
* Is your computer or network protected by a firewall or proxy? Incorrect settings can interfere with Web browsing.

 

Update: I connected my laptop with Ethernet and it seems to be much better. I haven't gotten any "address not found" msg yet and surfing seems faster. Soooo is it the modem from bell or my the wireless on my pc?? Pls help me diagnose.

Thanks.

 

Is hard to say it could be your browser that is acting abnormally. Have you tried to tune it up through the internet options menu? If IE, bring the advanced options as it was installed, you may also want to reset IE as a last alternative.

 

This could be as simple as dropped packets, how good of a signal do you have between your laptop and router? I think it would be rather safe to say that the modem is not the problem, seeing that you can connect with cable quite well. I'd say the same for the browser. So for now, if you'd like to go wireless, see if there's anything blocking your signal. You could also try moving your router closer to where you normally work with your laptop.

 

The signal on my laptop says excellent when I'm connected. I don't have a router..the signal is coming straight from the bell wireless modem. It's my first time connecting "wirelessly" so pls bear with me How can I tell if something is blocking my signal. And how could I tell if I have dropped packets? Ohhh and I usually use Firefox for my browser...how do I tune up my IE?

 

You can tune up your IE opening the tools, internet options, advanced, you can do either Restore Advanced Settings or Reset, but read carefully before to do the reset.

 

I'll try that tonight. I also noticed that when I surf wirelessly the page loads slower than if I were connected via Ethernet. Does wireless reduce speed? Is there anything else I could try. Tests etc...

 

What WiFi standard are you using?

 

Don't know what you mean exactly? Basically, last week I got a new notebook F8VA-B1 and in the specs it writes WLAN:802.11 A/G/N. Meanwhile, I got connected with bell and they sent me a modem. I basically plug and played the modem with no router since I didn't think I needed one (but then again I may be wrong). Like I said I am able to connect to the internet both ways and I also get excellent signal but I do notice a decrease in speed and more "error loading page" messages when I connect without the cable. As a matter of fact, last night I was plugged into the modem and didn't get one error loading page message. At this point I don't know if it's my wireless connection or sympatico.

I appreciate your help.

Thanks.

 

Then it can use a, g or n standard, what router did you get?

 

I didn't get a router..since the modem is wireless I didn't think I needed one. I'm using wifi: notebook to modem directly. Will getting a router make a difference? Do I need one?

 

You don't need one if you are not contemplating to get other computers anf make a network.

Do you have the spec for the modem? May be is standard b for the wireless, which is 11Mbps only, which is slower than Ethernet (100Mbps).

 

I don't have the specs since I'm at work right now. I'll check later and post it here. Thanks a bunch.

 

ttu later then.

 

Hello again,

It's a 2wire 2701HG-G.

For my wireless settings:
For wireless mode it's written: 802.11 b/g
Maximum Connection Rate: 54 Mbps
Power Setting: 4

Let me know.

 

Yeah, it looks like is working under g (54Mbps), try to set the power to maximum, in both, the router and the wireless card.

 

Additional info: When I right click on the icon for "diagnose and repair" I sometimes get "Windows has confirmed that this computer is currently experiencing a network connectivity problem" "Windows found a problem that cannot be repaired automatically" and then if I try it again right after it says that the computer is connected ok. Arghhh..

Alrighty, I know how to set the power to maximum for the modem but not for the card...I'll have to try to find where to do that.

 

I found this under modem statistics.....does it mean anything?

Data Errors
Statistics
Collected for 1 day 2:06:55


The first number is Since Reset and the second is Current 24-Hour Interval
ATM Cell Header Errors: #194 #21
ATM Loss of Cell Delineation: #57 #4
DSL Cumulative Errored Seconds: #257 # 26
DSL Uncorrected Blocks: #687 # 63

Anybody know if there is something I could do like get an antenna, router etc..that would solve my problem.

Thanks.

 

Happy first of the month everyone...I'm still looking for help with my wifi issue, does anyone else has suggestions?

Thanks.