Wireless connection dropping randomly one one machine only

[TheWkndr]

We have a Linksys WRV54G router connected via cable to one desktop and two notebooks. One is a Dell D600 - my work laptop - and the other is an IBM T42 we purchased for my wife's home business. Both run Win XP Pro. The router is set up for to broadcast our SSID. We use G only on channel 11 and we are using WEP security. The firmware was just reloaded to the latest version for our switch to vonage.
The Dell connects the first time and every time and never drops. We're ten feet from each other and I have an excellent signal at 54Mbps.
The IBM is another story. It constantly is dropping and reconnecting itself, but not on any specific interval. My wife reports that it is worse during the day - meaning it drops every ten minutes or so. IEEE authentication is turned off already.
I'm just not sure where to start looking. I can't believe it is the router, as if it were then my Dell would be disconnecting also. We also have two baby monitors broadcasting on 2.4G also, but again if it were that then why is the Dell unaffected.
I have read some other boards where they post info about the Zero Configuration service and some where they say to uninstall the IBM Access Connections. I'm not above doing either, but I use this list for my programming issues and trust the people here.
I'm more or less just looking for a place to start. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Sympology]

Are there any other wirless networks nearby?
They may also be on channel 11. Try a different say 6. I had the same problem and despite being 2 ft away from the router, it still kept interfering.

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[TheWkndr]

There are a few, but I recently switched from channel 6 to 11 to try to alleviate this with no results. I actually see like four networks in my listing, so maybe one of them is also using 11. I'll try like channel 5 and see if there is any difference.

I'm still convinced that it is in the laptop and not the network as no matter what I change on the router, the Dell connects fine and the ThinkPad drops randomly.

 

[Sympology]

Worth a try, I had one rock solid (oddly my iPaq) but my laptop just kept dumping.
I have also found (other will shout at me) that Zero Config has proved a bit more reliable on 2 machine, yet on my pc, the Linksys one is better.
You may just be able to remove the IBM by removing it from the startup folder. Worked a treat on the other halfs last night (hers wouldn't even connect).

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[G0AOZ]

You could try loading a copy of NetStumbler,

http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/

and see if that will enable you to detect the other channels that are being used. Try and get at least one clear channel away from another network.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[fathead]

Have you installed the latest wireless driver and wireless software from IBM?
I had a similar problem with an IBM T40...turns out it was a problem with the Sonicwall VPN adapter. As long as she disables it at the office she does not lose wireless connection and re-enables at home to connect.

http://www.ics-ms.com

 

[TheWkndr]

I'm convinced it is the 'Access IBM' software they include fighting with WinXP as to which one controls the wireless. I removed the 'home' profile form her machine and if we close the software and go into the control panel and set it to 'allow windows control' of the connection it seems to be ok. she rents office space and if she uses their connection or uses the connection and Caribou coffee, the IBM software sets those to the default connection on it's own. I am a little leery about uninstalling it and am unsure how to disable it. Since she'e self-employed, she's stuck with me as her IT guy, which is not an enviable position for either of us.