unique wireless cxn problem

here's hoping somebody has seen this before...

ok, here in the apt we have a cable connection running to 2 wireless routers (COX to Netgear and SMC).

i've been in the apt with the same config for over 1.5 years with no changes to the config and no problems, but a couple weeks ago a problem started occuring (again, no changes in hardware). this only happens with the wireless connection. when plugged in via rj45, this problem does not exist.

here we go,

1. the wireless connection will be fine as apparent by my continued surfing and the wireless icon in the taskbar showing 'green'.

2. after a certain amount of time (it's different every time), the connection will drop as apparent by my trillain buddy list dropping out, the browser timing out, and the wireless icon in the taskbar going to 'yellow'. sometimes, the taskbar icon will alternate 'yellow' and 'red'.

3. once this happens, i am no longer able to connect even tho the taskbar icon is 'yellow' (showing a reception quality of around 50%); i have had poor reception before and have had no problem connecting even with 50% or less quality in the connection, but for some reason, this new problem doesn't allow me to get out with a 'yellow' icon.

4. once this happens, 'ipconfig/renew' is unable to retrieve new IP settings from the router.

5. powering the notebook off/on doesn't help, in fact, once i cycle power on the laptop, the taskbar icon comes up 'red' and no connection is made at all.

6. the only way to fix the problem is to cycle power at the modem/router level. once this happens, the problem is fixed, but only temporarily. after an intermittent time, we all go back to '1.' again.

any help?

thanx

 

to which WAP are you connected to when you have this problem? do the WAP's have the latest firmware? Are the WAP's different wireless networks or are they combined to extend the range? if they are different, and assuming they are both B or G (or comination), are they on different channels? (choose 1, 6, or 11, not anything inbetween due to overlapping frequency problems). Latest drivers for your wireless NIC?

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Scott

Network Guru Extraordinaire

 

Did your neighbors recently get a new cordless phone? Another AP?

First PC = Vic-20, 8" 128KB Home-Brew Floppy Drive ... Current Rig = eMachines m6805 ... Quantum Leap?

 

thanks for the replies...

1. i am unable to determine if neighbors have a new cordless phone or not

2. the problem happens regardless of which router i'm connected to (one router is ch 6 and the other is ch 11)

3. regarding firmware, driver upgrades; would this matter if nothing in the hardware setup has changed?

4. one thing i forgot to mention is that my roomate was able to connect to a neighbor's lan with no problem


thanx again

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by drumfu
3. regarding firmware, driver upgrades; would this matter if nothing in the hardware setup has changed?
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

stranger things have happened....

-----------------------------------
Scott

Network Guru Extraordinaire