Really weird wireless problem...

Ok, my laptop connects to the internet perfectly at school, but for some reasons it always seem unreliable in home connection, which is intriguing 'cause I would think if the network card works in one setting, it should works well in other settings.

Anyways, here's the description of the issue. Whenever the wireless is enabled there is a logo appears on the right hand side of the window bar (the one on the bottom all the time in windows XP). On that logo, there is a red cross on it signifying the failure to connect. I then right click on it and hit "repair". It starts repairing, then my wireless lan's green light was off for a second and came back on (I think it's typical part of repairing)... and then it says "repair is not finished because of the failure to connect to the internet (which I think is silly 'cause if I can connect to the net in the first place, why would I be repairing)". Anyways, so there is still a red cross on the logo...

The weird thing is that despite that indication, I was ABLE to go online with firefox or IE for about 5-6 min, then the connection gets cut off automatically. I then repair again, it works for another 5-6. The cycle continues.

I really don't know what to do, please help, it will be greatly appreciated.

 

What router do you have?...have you updated the firmware?

I used to have chronic problems with my wrt54g (connectivity issues like the one you are describing), and then I uploaded new firmware and worked fine until it died (well, not completely but I got a slick deal on a new one).

I purchased a new wrt54G (v5 I think, which is one of the stinky ones), but I was still able to upload DD-WRT firmware, and I haven't had a problem with it since as long as I can remember.

 

What is a firmware and where do I get the update?

By the way, my laptop is Asus A8jm

 

What Brand/Model/Version is your Wireless Router?

...it could just be your wireless card driver, if you haven't updated it recently.

 

The router is Syslink, WRT N300

 

hmm, I don't have any expertise with the N routers...perhaps we should first figure out if it is your connection to the router that is buggy, or your router's connection to the internet.

When you are "disconnected" hit the windows key + R, then type "cmd" and hit enter. Ping your router to see if you are connected to the router, but not the internet. Most likely your router's IP address is 192.168.0.1, in this instance you would type "ping 192.168.0.1" and hit enter. If you can ping sucessfully, then it's not a problem with your laptop connecting to the router.

P.S. What's the version number of your router?

 

Thanks Meetloaf, I am at school right now, so I will try your method, as well as downloading the most updated wireless drive later, and will definitely let you know what happens.

 

I have downloaded the newest driver for wireless connection, it's a winrar file with many files compressed, do I simply extract them and run the exe program?

 

Yes, extract the little guy and run it. Then get back and tell us what you find.

 

I have tried the ping mehod --> it says destination unreachable (4 times).

And I have also tried to update the wireless driver, I couldn't run it since it detects my laptop has the most updated version.

 

hmmm...that could simply be b/c your router has a different IP address.
Did you set up your router?

Do you know how to get into the firmware and change the settings? If so, you should be able to see the IP of the router there, that is the IP you need to use when you think your computer is connected to the router.

Also, can you post your computer specs, kind of like I have in my signature?

 

post the results of "ipconfig /all" when it's working and after it fails.

 

********* When working, I have used "X" to replace my name *********
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\XXX XXXX>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : your-26c248c805
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : ed.shawcable.net

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 2:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : ed.shawcable.net
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Networ
k Connection
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-18-DE-03-85-4D
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.102
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 64.59.184.13
64.59.184.15
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:53:4
1 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Thursday, December 20, 2007 12:53:41
AM

C:\Documents and Settings\XXX XXXX>

************ when NOT working ************

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\XXX XXXX>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : your-26c248c805
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : ed.shawcable.net

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 2:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : ed.shawcable.net
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Networ
k Connection
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-18-DE-03-85-4D
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.102
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 64.59.184.13
64.59.184.15
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, December 19, 2007 12:56:4
7 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Thursday, December 20, 2007 12:56:47
AM

C:\Documents and Settings\XXX XXXX>

 

Also, as I was testing other things, I actually found out that it doesn't always need the repair to regain the temporary connection, if I wait long enough, the internet is back on. However, at some other times, it never regains without repairing.

Spec of my laptop
Asus A8jM

- CPU Typ Mobile DualCore Intel Core Duo T2400, 1833 MHz (11 x 167)
- CPU #0 IntelGenuine Intel(R) CPU T2400 @ 1.83GHz, 1828 MHz
- Taktung 1833 MHz
- Motherboard Name Asus A8000J Series Notebook
- Bustyp DDR2 SDRAM
- Bustyp Intel Direct Media Interface
- Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
- Intel 3945ABG PRO/Wireless Network Adapter PCI
- Realtek RTL8168/8111 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Adapter PCI
- About 80G HD

Please let me know if you need more information. Also, I recalled I was *smart* enough to use a program to clean my registry, I am not sure if it will affect my internet etc. I also look up the internet and tried to repair the winsock, doesn't seem to make any difference whatsoever.

 

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\XXX XXXX>ipconfig/renew

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 2:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : ed.shawcable.net
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.102
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1

C:\Documents and Settings\XXX XXXX>

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\XXX XXXX>ipconfig/release

Windows IP Configuration


Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 2:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 0.0.0.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :

C:\Documents and Settings\XXX XXXX>

 

Also, I tried that ping method again with the correct ip: "ping 192.168.1.1" and it says sent and received 4 times. So I guess it's fine.

I wonder if there is anyway I can >>safely<< remove all the network component and reinstall the new one.

 

From you post where you show the ipconfig /all for working and not working, it appears as if everything is fine. As far as I can tell, it's not an issue of you not being connected to your router, in fact, it looks like that isn't the problem at all (from what I know).

Now on you second posting, it looks like the adapter was not connected to the router, so the first posting of working/not working may have been done a little late, as the adapter was reconnecting to the router.

You can uninstall your wireless adapter, and then re-install it from ground zero. I would also recommend setting your router not to broadcast a wireless-N signal...seeing that you don't have an N-capable card. Don't know if it will help, but it's worth a try, sometimes the whole wireless game can be kind of finnicky.

Also, if you have a microwave running, or a 2.5 Hz cordless phone setup, this may be causing problems.

In short, there are a plethora of things going on, and there's not a golden answer. Keep experimenting, and we'll see if we can help.

 

Meetloaf, can you please elaborate a litle more on the exact procedure of how to uninstall th wireless adaptor and re-install from ground zero. Also, how to disable the N-router from broadcasting the N-signal. My apology for my computer illieracy.

Thanks in advance.

 

No problem. In order to uninstall the driver (make sure you have the driver you'd like to install already downloaded =P ), the easiest/best way to uninstall is to do so through the Control Panel> Add/Remove Programs. I believe you'll have the Intel ProSet Software, uninstall that and it should remove your driver. You can double check to see if it's gone by going to the Device Manage (also in the Control Panel) and looking under the Networking devices. You shouldn't see a wireless adapter listed there. If after the uninstall you still see a wireless adapter, then go ahead and right click on the little beast and select the option to uninstall the device. Make you you restart your computer before then installing the driver/software again.

As far as your router goes. I'm not too sure the exact procedure, as I have never used that router. But you will need to open your internet browser and type in:

192.168.1.1 (hit enter)

Then leave the username blank and type in "admin" as your password.

Browse to one of the wireless tabs (I'm not at home or I'd have better instructions) One of them will have a drop-down that allows you to choose whether to enable/disable wireless-n. I believe there's a separate one for ABG signal. Sorry I'm not as much help right now, but you should be able to figure it out from there.

Good luck, let us know.

 

Great news, the internet works!!!

I was about to delete that intel wireless adapter, but since there was an option to repair, I chose the latter for better safety, and now there is a cross on the wireless adapter icon (I think I am not using its functionality), and the wireless icon doesn't have the red cross anymore.

It won't happen without you, deep respect!!!

 

If I can ask a last question, when I am trying to update the Asus live update, it says it's "out of memory", I dont think it's talking about the hard-drive since both my C and D drives have at least 2 G, if it's talking about my RAM, what exactly can I do to increase that memory?