wifi problems
 

I have a zyxel wifi router which is connected to my main computer via ethernet. It works well with my main computer. The wifi signal strength is excellent according to my HP and brand new Toshiba laptops. Data transfer speed is supposed to be 54Mbps but seems slower than that, much slower. But the killer punch is that I can only get any wifi connection when my main computer is switched off. Up until a few months ago I could have my main computer working along with two laptops via wifi, but not anymore. Even if my main computer is on but not on the internet I cannot get any connection on either of the laptops.

Well PPrune computer boffins over to you

Fraser

Is the wired machine hogging the resources?
 

Hi Fraser,
Certainly seems as though the Zyxel is giving priority to your desktop. Maybe the control protocol says to itself "Desktop... MASTER SPEAKING... must obey" (*only in binary*) OK that's silly, I know, but I've just googled the 334WT Zyxel and found this interesting paragraph:

"The router also has bandwidth management built into it, thus allowing you to set priorities for different applications like Voice over IP and streaming media. To make life easier on the wireless side, as well as supporting the usual WEP and WPA encryption standards, the router has OTIST (One-Touch Intelligent Security Technology) which makes it easier to create a secure network between different ZyXEL wireless products that support OTIST. The usual Universal Plug and Play (UPNP) is included too. "

Have you maybe been using VOIP, Skype or one of its friends? If the Zyxel is plug-and-plop, as it seems to be, you may need to get into the setup pages and force it to behave itself. (192.168.1.1 or similar should get you there)

Will follow the thread with interest: this could run and run - tho' I hope not :O

Jim

What's the model number?

Can you simply restore factory default settings? If so does that fix it? Hint - note down your configuration settings before you restore factory settings.

Does the wifi router have the internet connection, or is that on the PC?

Have you checked the Zyxel website support? RTFM?

SD

I set up one of these routers many months ago and had similar problems. If you go into the advanced settings in the router, you will find the priority settings for wifi & ethernet.
In the end I set them up as equal.
Another little quirk that showed itself later was, I set the router up on a sunday and the wifi connected computer could only get onto the internet on a Sunday so watch the days of the week settings.

router address is http: //192.168.1.1 (without the spaces after the :) and the default password is 1234 unless you have changed it

Max

Right guys I now have the answer via zyxel support - the router
it is officially "Donald Ducked" which is apparently a Microsoft approved term!
I have now installed a BT Hub which connects 3 laptops via wifi and also runs my main desktop. Also my 3 BT mobile phones get quadruple call allowance when used at home as they connect automatically via the hub some scheme called "BT Fon"

My eldest lad is a sixteen year old with "birds" all over the shop and rampant hormones to boot!! the allowance is now 600 minutes (2400 mins if at home) 700 texts and 2 HTC PDA's with unlimited internet) So my last monthly mobile bill was £35.08 instead of £100+. I know it probably sounds like I work for BT marketing but I dont, it is just at the mo it seems like a very good deal i am still looking out for the catch.

Either way as usual excellent service from PPrune Computer trouble shooters


Many thanks
Fraser