Wireless constantly Disconnecting

[homesick rae]

Hi,

Our broadband router is downstairs and my home office upstairs - have had no problems with the wireless connections until this week. Now it tends to disconnect once or twice an hour - reconnects fairly quickly most times without prompting. OR MSN Messenger disconnects which in itself causes certain issues. Any ideas? All APPEARS to be okay on my PC.

Many thanks,

HR

[Simonta]

Hi

Most likely a new source of interference such as another nearby wireless network or something you've introduced e.g. a wireless phone.

First thing to try is a different channel for your WiFi. Netstumbler will show WiFi channels in use in your area.

NetStumbler.com (http://www.netstumbler.com/)

You could also try rebooting the router.

Cheers

[Topscunnyfan]

Been having similar problems since Talk Talk took over Tiscali..... Not sure if it is my router or my line as I have a base unit connected through ethernet and laptops connected wirelessly and all are dropping out regularly. suggest you connect a laptop directly to the router via cable first to rule out channel interference. my bext step is to borrow an alternate router to prove the line etc.

[Avtrician]

Mine is doing the same thing, its affecting my wireless phone as well. Must be the router. Wonder if the daughter has been having the same problem..

Hard wired PC is working fine, direct connect to the router.

Aslp seems to be inducing spelling errors (Could be the rong glasses but)

[mcdhu]

A malfunctioning external wireless temperature 'sender' completely screwed up my wireless network a while ago until I stumbled upon it.

Good luck
mcdhu

[Loose rivets]

NetStumbler.com


Downloaded this, but as I got to the final start moment, Firefox put up so many objections, that by the third time they said "....site wouldn't do this." I chickened out. Is this normal?

It was the freebie BTW

[Ad C]

I've also had intermittant problems since talktalk took over tiscali as has my Father although I haven't got round to trying to find a solution.

[Blues&twos]

homesick rae...if you're using a desktop PC in your upstairs office, just have a quick look and make sure your wireless antenna is still properly plugged in....my wireless network intermittently dropped out for months for no apparent reason until one day we moved the tower unit and found the antenna had been pulled out of its socket ... :O.
Fortunately the wireless router was close enough for the network card to still pick up a sufficient signal most of the time.

[green granite]

Also make sure the antenna is the same orientation as the router one ie vertical or horizontal, as it can make quite a difference to the signal strength.

[homesick rae]

Hi and thanks for the replies.

I am using my laptop upstairs - just got an error saying that "this network is hidden" and goes onto say it is not within range!? Has been in the same position for 6 months however I have just pulled it back from being right against the wall - that is the ONLY "change" in the past few weeks - unsure if it is relevant or not.

Also, could it be clicking out and trying to connect to other networks in the area? If so how do I delete these buggers?

Thanks again,

HR

[Simonta]

LR.

Do you mean you downloaded it but FF complained when you tried to install/run it? Weird.

Netstumbler is just fine. I've used it for years. All it does is scan all wirelesss networks in range (including hidden ones) and will show you the channels they use and the received power (signal to noise ratio). By selecting a channel not in use and looking at the power you're receiving from your access point, you can often solve these problems. Bear in mind that it only shows WiFi so, for example, you don't know if you're getting interference from some other source. That's why picking unused channels and checking the power is the way to go.

You don't necessarily need an unused channel. I'm in an apartment block with perhaps 20 WiFis in range. I'm using channel 8 which is only used by one other network which I guess is far away as the power I get from it is tiny and therefore little interference.

Cheers

[flystand]

Are you using the same router your ISP provided you with? those are bound to be crappy. A new 801.11n wireless router should fix the problem.. or you can always move your broadband router upstairs if possible.

[themidge]

Wireless networks are great when they work and a pain when they don't. Depending on how much time you want to spend on troubleshooting it, you could look in to getting a set of these:

Extra Value 85Mbps Powerline Adapter Twin Pack - Ebuyer (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150039)

[bemuser]

For TalkTalk problems try this forum. TalkTalk Members (http://www.talktalkmembers.com/)

Worked well for me and you find the guys (and gals) there respond to sort the problems out. It is manned by TalkTalk staff.

Let us know how you get on.

[homesick rae]

Thanks for all the replies - it seems to have rectfied itself!!!??

Best

HR