Linksys wireless connection sporadically disconnects frm gaming servrs

[Nebbish]

Hey folks,

I'm on a wireless network supported by a Linksys router (I don't have the model number handy, but will get it if necessary). Basically the connection is fine, except for when I'm gaming--specifically, the Desert Combat mod of Battlefield 1942. I can connect to the servers no problem, and gameplay is pretty smooth...however, every so often--sometimes 5 seconds into the game, sometimes 30 minutes, sometimes 2 hours--I get disconnected from the server. This occurs no matter what server I'm on, how good my connection is to the server, or how "laggy" the server is. My signal strength is approximately 50% - 70%.

I've tried:

-Adding a DSL filter to a phone connected to our DSL phone line.
-Changing the channel of the router from 6 to 11.
-Renaming the router from its default "Linksys" to something specific.

I plan on updating the firmware today, but I'm not optimistic. I mentioned the problem to some of my DC-gaming buddies and several of them responded that they had run into the same problem with Linksys wireless routers.

Has anyone had this sort of issue? Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Nick

 

[bcastner]

Disabled 802.1x authentication tests on the client?

 

[Nebbish]

Are you talking about some setting in the router? Currently there is no authentication needed for people to connect to our router wirelessly. Or is this a client setting?

 

[bcastner]

Client.

I am going to assume XP:the

. Make sure the Wireless Zero Configuration service is running, make sure that no adapter software for client configuration has been installed.ive

. Under the XP wireless configuration service, make sure that under the Properties for your wireless connection, Authentication,802.1x that it is unchecked.

. Remove all connections from the top box under Wireless connections. Add your router/AP in the bottom box as a "Preferred connection."

. Set the SSID, WEP or any other settings under the properties sheet for this preferred connection;

. Tell XP that you will only connect to preferred connections.

 

[Nebbish]

I'm on Windows 2000, though I assume a lot of the same settings apply. I'll look into them later today.

Thanks for your help,

Nick

 

[Nebbish]

I couldn't find any of the above settings on my Windows 2000 connection. The more I chat with the tech people at Linksys and other wireless-knowledgable folks I know, the more I get the sense that a) the router just isn't gaming prone, and/or b) something is interferring with my connection to the router--such as the microwave, cordless phones, etc.

I just purchased 75ft of ethernet cable to connect to it directly. Hopefully that'll help.

Nick

 

[Nebbish]

Another update: directly connecting to the router seems to make the problem mostly go away. It still disconnects but not as frequently as before. I'm guessing the disconnect responsibility now is partially shared between the Desert Combat .7 server code and the router itself (which is several years old).

 

[bcastner]

Have you tried a firmware upgrade for the router?
Have you tried a firmware upgrade and driver upgrade for the client?

http://www.broadbandreports.com/faq/2290

 

[Nebbish]

I'll give a firmware upgrade a try...thanks for the tip. What are the chances that such an upgrade could screw up your router?

 

[bcastner]

See the other FAQ entries at the Broadbandreport.com site. If a modern version of the Linksys router, the Web-baed management tool does a reasonable job safely of a firmeware update.

Otherwise, search the linksys FTP site for an include tftp utility, and use that.

When in the FAQ section above, see the "Looooong reset: discussion. This should always bail you out.

 

[bcastner]

Oh, and an important point. Do the router firmware from a wired, not wireless, connection.

 

[kennedrw]

Hey Nebbish,

Just curious what your Linksys WRT54GS for online gaming are? I have Windows 2000 as well, and I just bought this router and upgraded the firmware to v3.37.2, and I still can't access my online games (e.g. Call of Duty). I can't get XFire to work either.

Any suggestions?

 

[Nebbish]

Hi Ken,

I could access all of my games just fine, and XFire and other such programs have always worked...my problem was disconnecting, specifically from Battlefield's Desert Combat mod. When I hardwired myself in it was a bit better, but still happening. I never fully solved the problem (I also never got around to upgrading the firmware, so that could very well be the issue).

If you can't connect at all, then it's a different problem...I gots no idea.

-N

 

[lifegard2]

I've found with a number of clients that wireless is not a good solution when a continuous connection is required. If you need something for browsing the web where you don't mind a dropped connection every now and then, a wireless network works great. However, most of the time, any wireless connection that I've setup for myself or clients using Linksys or DLink hardware also comes with dropped connections at no add'l charge. Unfortunately for my users, this momentary connection lapse also bumps their VPN connection. Anyways, best solution for a connection that requires a steady connection, is to go hard wired.