Internet connection problem

[LilBob]

Running XP Pro SP3 on my Gateway tower & Windows 7 starter with wi-fi on my notebook & a wireless connection with a D-Link adapter card on my tower. I 1st loss connection on the notebook but still was connected on my tower. Later, the connection would fluctuate between low & very good (like the notebook experienced). I assumed it was due to the distance the signal had to travel & weather conditions (I live in what’s called a mother-in-law house approx. 100 ft. away from the main house, both with cbs exterior walls). I talked to the owner & he came over with his laptop & had no problem connecting while both of mine still couldn’t. I set up a Dell tower (also running XP Pro with SP3) that I had repaired but never picked up by the owner. I installed the D-Link adapter & had no problem connecting to the Internet but signal on this one is now fluctuating. I checked my network settings & all seemed fine (I even used M$ guided help to verify settings were right). I ran Ccleaner & registry tool, Avast Antivirus, mbam, spybot, M$ security essentials & SUPERAntivirus with nothing major found. I also ran HJT , again nothing. I’m running out of ideas. Any suggestions?

Thanks for any help you can offer, Bob

 

[edfair]

Can you force a channel change on the transmitter to see if you have some interference?

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[LilBob]

It won't allow me to do it. When I signed on now I got a web site from Sienna to check out my ethernet supplier. Starting to think there's something I can't find that's messing up my network connection. Click on the icon in taskbar & one minute it shows a a decent tranfer rate with a good connection & next it shows a low connection with the same rate. This only startted after doing a repair indtall on my Gateway tower but now it's doing it on all PC's. Now starting to experience oter issues with some apps. I really don't want to reformat my HD & start from scratch (especially if this problen will be carried over from 1 of my other PC's which I'm thinking). Any other ideas?

Thanks again, Bob

 

[BadBigBen]

check the device manager setting of the wifi card, as to Power Saving (Computer can turn off device) setting and make sure that it has no check set...

also see if you can boost the power output from either the WiFi card or the AP...

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[LilBob]

I thought of replacing the wireless network adapter card but that wouldn’t explain the loss of connection on the notebook with wi-fi capabilities. Will try going to local coffee bar to see if I get a steady connection there. Power savings are set to low on notebook. Dev. Mgr. shows no issues & all working properly. What next, short of moving?

Bob

 

[LilBob]

Forgot to mention, clicking on icon in task bar will show adecent transfer rate & good connection then afew seconds later, showsthe same rate with low connection. What gives?

Bob

 

[LilBob]

Power options on notebook show under wireless adapter settings Max. performance for both battery & plugged in connection. Not sure what you mean by 'see if you can boost the power output from either the WiFi card or the AP...' Please clarify.

Bob

 

[DrB0b]

Ill go ahead and ask the obvious, have you power cycled the modem/router and extender? If both of your wifi devices are doing similar things, thats where I would start.

Do you have a cell phone with wifi capabilities?

"You don't know what you got, till its gone..
80's hair band Cinderella or ode to data backups???

 

[LilBob]

Please clarify "power cycling modem/router extender". My Dad taught me a lot but not everything obviously. No, I don't have a cell phone with wi-fi capabilities. Wireless router/modem is in main house.

Bob

 

[edfair]

Time to try a different wireless source. Too many issues with too many devices to keep beating your head against the brick wall.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[DrB0b]

Basically remove the power from them for a minute and plug back in.

Have you went to a McDonalds or Starbucks to try their free wireless with your laptop to make sure it works yet?(Thought I read that in here but cant find it now.)

"You don't know what you got, till its gone..
80's hair band Cinderella or ode to data backups???

 

[LilBob]

OK! Dad called it different but couldn't remember if I did that. Disconnected the adapter card on the Dell tower, powered down the PC, waited a few minutes, plugged the card back in & rebooted. Voila! connected again. Tried this on the other tower & was connected there but at a slower rate. Will try tomorrow with notebook @ Starbucks. Spent some time last night trying to think of what I may have done to Gateway tower to lose connection. All worked fine but remembered I did a repair install, downloaded all high priority updates including a few optional like .Net Framework. I have 2.0, 3.0, 3.5 & 4.0 on Dell but have been unsuccessful installing 4.0 on Gateway, it shows both 1.1 & 4 v. as optional updates. Don't remember if I had these installed before & don't know if uninstalling them might help.

Thanks for the idea, sometimes I forget to look @ the obvious/simple fixes.

Bob