Wireless Issues

[vanselus]

OK, I can't handle it anymore. I was just entertaining thoughts of throwing this laptop discus style off a cliff. Yes, it's that bad.

So i'm wondering if anyone can lend some expertise. I'm using:

Gateway 400SD4
2GHz Pentium 4
386 MB RAM
D-Link router DI-614+ with DWL-650+ card (806.11b)
Win XP Home

The issue is that when the computer hibernates, goes into standby, or just logs off, the wireless connection isn't being picked up by the computer. Once I restart, the connection is fine. This leads me to believe that it's the computer, not the router, since i'm not rebooting the router or otherwise changing anything. I have the latest drivers and firmware. It's not just one port, it's all. Ipconfig commands (/release, /renew) don't work either.

Does anyone have any clues, any suggestions on places to at least start searching?

Thanks

[vidiotscreative]

This might be a dumb question...BUT sometimes it is the simple things that all of us overlook.

Do you have a firewall set up? Ifso, do you perhaps have your Internet Connection being 'locked' or something along those lines when your computer goes into standbye or screen saver kicks in...etc?

I know I used to have mine do that while I was at PSU, cause I didn't trust my roomate.

Just a thought, and most likely not the issue, but figured I would ask just in case that possibly has something to do with it.

[KLH]

Is it a PCMCIA card? I think I remember reading somewhere that this happens if you have one. But it might of just been with a certain brand.
You might try contact D-Link support on this.

[fac3less]

are you running a DHCP serve on the router? If renew/release aren't working that would be the first place to look.

(Since it seems to be an issue between router->laptop)

[vanselus]

Originally posted by vidiotscreative
Do you have a firewall set up?

Yes, that's a good thought. I'm running Zone Alarm, but it's not setup to auto-lock at any point. Plus, I have the local range set as "trusted" so it should pass through.

Maybe i'm missing something in the firewall configs though?

[vanselus]

Originally posted by KLH
Is it a PCMCIA card?

Yes - that's a great idea. I wonder if it's just not "waking up" the PCMCIA slot soon enough when coming out of hibernation.

I should call D-Link.

[fac3less]

Again - I'd personally recommend kerio. kerio.com get their personal firewall version - free. If you like it get the paid version its worth it.

I would have to say its definately your dhcp setup. Normally a firewall wouldn't cause renew/release problems ;) but the dhcp server not actually letting you in would. I.e. your mac address may be disabled on the router.. thats about all I can come up with.

Its more complex than I make it out to be. Its still early in the day and I'm retarded though.

Check your router control panel.

[vanselus]

Originally posted by fac3less
are you running a DHCP serve on the router? If renew/release aren't working that would be the first place to look.

(Since it seems to be an issue between router->laptop)

Yes, but everything seems to be setup correctly. If it wasn't, the computer would never get a lease from the router in the first place, right? I suppose I could turn off DHCP and see if that changes anything... I could see in theory how that would cause these exact symptoms.

[fac3less]

In theory yes - but if its leasing it to it in the first place then that shouldn't be the problem.. unless the pmcia card decides to use weird mac address system and then the router says 'no, we already have this addy rented out - you can not hijack it' and denies the release/renew.. thats all i can come up with.

I'd definately say its a DHCP issue. Try forcing each system to use an IP and not use DHCP at all.

[vanselus]

I know it's not using a MAC address, well - at least that's what ipconfig says. The other annoying thing about the d-link is the low power. i'm literally downstairs from the freakin thing about 20 ft away, and I can barely see any signal.

i know i know... get an antenna.

[vidiotscreative]

Does the router have any kind of built in firewall protection or settings?

I know mine came with a built in firewall, and wouldn't run with any other firewall software running. So I have all IP's outside of the 3 boxes I have in here blocked from access to my computer as well as encryption on the router wireless connection itself.

Like I said, sometimes it is the most simple of things which cause this sort of problem.

First thing I would do, is as someone above stated, call the router manufacturer and/or check out their trouble shooting or FAQ information...most likely this isn't the first time they would have heard of this issue.

On the other hand, some router manufacturers are worthless the moment you buy their product...

Can't hurt to give them a ring and state your issue and what you have done to counter it.

Best of luck,
Sean

[vanselus]

My router has a built-in firewall, but it's totally disabled... or so it says. Thanks for the help everyone!

[HRGraham]

Originally posted by vanselus
My router has a built-in firewall, but it's totally disabled...

Woohoo! File sharing party on Todd's internet connection tonight at 8. Don't be late. Plenty of wireless signal to go around.

-Graham

[vanselus]

Yeah too bad I actually USE the authentication huh. Although, if you're gonna drive 5000 miles to get here, i'll just let you in the door. You'll have better access. :D

[Fuzzylogic]

So did you get the issue resolved or is it still a problem?

What happens if you release and renew your IP, does it get it back then?

[vidiotscreative]

Yeah too bad I actually USE the authentication huh. Although, if you're gonna drive 5000 miles to get here, i'll just let you in the door. You'll have better access.

:D :p

Nice one. LOL>[

[sznapsDOTcom]

I got wireless too, I had a d-link and was having same problem, I switched to all linksys equipment, and I got alot more distance then my d-link and When returning from hibernating on my laptop I still have my internet connection.

[vanselus]

Wow, thanks for the info! Linksys might be just the ticket.

What freq do wireless keyboards transmit at? or are they infrared?

[Fuzzylogic]

It depeneds, they use radio but you can check their website to see what frequency each one uses.

[KLH]

Originally posted by vanselus

What freq do wireless keyboards transmit at? or are they infrared?


I think they all use infrared.
If you are looking for something that might be causing interference with your wireless setup, look for 2.4 Ghz phones, they coud be causing it.

[vanselus]

but phones and microwaves only interfere when they're being used, right?

[Tammy]

For a place to look for an answer, try the forum boards at dslreports.com. Somebody there is bound to have had the same problem and maybe found a solution. Also make sure you have the latest firmware and updates.

[Fuzzylogic]

Originally posted by vanselus
but phones and microwaves only interfere when they're being used, right?

Well a microwave, but a phone will always generate at least a low level EM field as it has to remain in contact with its base station, cell tower, etc.

[vanselus]

Well then I'll try unplugging the phone tonight, since it's pretty close to where i'm using the laptop (music room). Thanks!

[KLH]

You can change channels on your AP if a phone is causing interference. And the phones that will cause interference is not Cell phone, but cordless phones that you plug into a phone jack inside your house. Cell phones run at 800 Mhz or 1900Mhz I'm pretty sure, and home phones are either 900 Mhz or 2.4 Ghz mostly. 2.4 Ghz is what 802.11b/g standards are.

Like I started to say, you can log into your AP via a webpage (like you did when you configured it) and change the channel of it to something else. I think the default is usually channel 6.

[vanselus]

My AP is at channel 1, but my phone is at 900mhz, so i guess it doesn't matter anyway. Maybe i'll switch channels to see if that helps.

[fac3less]

The problem is anything can cause interference with it. Most things won't but anything at all can. Wireless is odd.

Currently working on getting a wireless network setup here in Naples before I jet off to canada.

My mom is sick of seeing lan cables strung everywhere. :)

Then again if I leave they'll only have 1 system.. so I guess that won't be much of a network will it. Argh.

I'm retarded. :*(

[vanselus]

Well, I haven't changed anything, and it's working much much better. Don't you hate that? The connection seems to be stronger, more stable, and is still there after hibernation.

I hate computer problems like that.

[Tammy]

Originally posted by vanselus
Well, I haven't changed anything, and it's working much much better. Don't you hate that? The connection seems to be stronger, more stable, and is still there after hibernation.

I hate computer problems like that.

That's pretty funny. Those problems that aren't your fault at all are so annoying, you go searching and changing things, and then you find out the next day that your ISP's mail server went down or your computer just had to boot three times for a change to take effect or something and now everything's just fine. ;)

Congrats on solving your problem, however it happened.

[vanselus]

I don't know, sometimes those mysteries can be really fun. When an employee is having problems with their computer, I have a knack for walking into a room at work - and the computer will start working again.

They think I have some unholy power over the machines...

[Tammy]

I actually hate it when the darn thing works when the tech decides to pay a visit. Tends to happen with my car more than my computer, though. It will do some funky thing, and I'll get my uncle the mechanic over for a visit, and the durn thing won't do that funky thing it has been doing. Then, after he has finished his visit, it will start making that grinding noise again or whatever. But great for him, he just wants to relax when he's over anyway! Lol.

[EodLabs]

vanselus, My laptop does that as well. I brought my buddy over with his PowerBook and it does the same thing as well. I don't know if anyone else came to this conclusion, but it seems to be in hibernation, that when it comes back, it grabs something wrong. (Ex. would be if i leave AIM up and come back form hibr. that it's up, then reconnecting, then fails out.) I usually just re-scan with xp the wireless point and it's back. It's such a lame work around, But alas I can't think of anything better. One other thing i think about is how long you have your DHCP to renew ? Is it everyday, hours, etc... Since this post didn't really help out at all it's pretty useless, but your not the only one :D

-Mike

[KLH]

I kept my laptop on with hibernating it for 7 days before I had any problems with it, and it had crashed when coming off of hibernation, never once did I ever have any problems with the network connection.

Best bet is to buy one with WiFi built in, but since your doesn't have it, not much I can tell you..

Did you ever contact the manufacture yet?

[Viper007Bond]

Hibernate should loose your network connection because it is turning off your computer and stopping processing of applications. It just resumes when you turn it back on.

Standby should keep the connection up.

[Tammy]

Originally posted by KLH
If you are looking for something that might be causing interference with your wireless setup, look for 2.4 Ghz phones, they coud be causing it.

Microwave ovens, too.

[vanselus]

Well, no shock - but ever since I posted this thread, the wireless network has worked without a fault. Must be HR's fault.

Of course, now that i've written this, it's gonna go down again.

Such is life.

[Tammy]

Oh, we always seem to have that affect on problems. ;)