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    wireless network disappears? how the hell?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by AM Radio, Feb 13, 2007.

  1. AM Radio

    AM Radio Notebook Evangelist

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    hope someone can help me figure this out.

    i have a dell inspiron 9400 with Intel PROset 3945abg, and a D-Link 784abg router. (i wanted 802.11a, because i live in an old apartment building, with over almost a dozen other wireless networks nearby, microwaves, bluetooth, etc. etc., and i still want some speed.)

    setting up the router was easy. ran the dlink wizard. had both the G network and the A network, secured both with WPA, and could connect to either. disabled Windows Zero Config, so i was only using the Intel software/services. everything was fine for about five days.

    yesterday, booted up and had trouble finding a network. weird. did a search, my A network came up, and it took several tries before i finally connected.

    however, the G network, which was accessible and listed in available networks just a day earlier, has now disappeared. ran setup again, confirming that SSID is still being broadcast, and that yes, the radio is still "on".

    still, windows/PROset can't seem to see it, although all the other networks are still popping up.

    what's going on? :confused: :confused: :confused:
     
    AM Radio, Feb 13, 2007
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  2. AM Radio

    AM Radio Notebook Evangelist

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    addendum:

    powercycled modem and router -- G network is back ... for now. strange.
     
    AM Radio, Feb 13, 2007
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  3. blue68f100

    blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso

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    The intel software requires a lot of resources. If you notice things are slow, disable and use MSZeroConfig. Make sure you have the latest firmware in your router, some of the older firmware has the problem you describe.
     
    blue68f100, Feb 13, 2007
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  4. RedSensiStar

    RedSensiStar Notebook Deity

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    I also vote that the Intel software is bloated. My RAM bumped over 50mb with the application running --and I could not determine if the software helped my connection issues, or speed, or anything.

    I think there is something very wrong with the 3945ABG Intel wifi card. Why is it that this card sucks so bad?
     
    RedSensiStar, Feb 13, 2007
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  5. AM Radio

    AM Radio Notebook Evangelist

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    thanks for the replies. i've updated to the latest firmware, and i'll give a shot to windows to handle wireless, and shut down the Intel software entirely ...
     
    AM Radio, Feb 13, 2007
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  6. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    It might also be a compatibility issue between the Intel and the D-Link. If updating the D-Link's firmware doesn't help, you may have to get another router. I know that the Linksys routers play nice with the 3945.
     
    kegobeer, Feb 13, 2007
    #6