Wireless Network (WPA) keeps dropping.
Hi all,
This morning, for no apparent reason, both laptops couldnt connect to the wireless network throught BT Voyager's router.
This was strange so I did the normal scan for networks and tried to reconnect. No joy; it just attempts to connect with "acquiring network" and then just drops. It doesnt connect, and if it's only for a few seconds.
So to let you know what I've done so far with this:
1. Flushed dns settings.
2. Removed detected network from settings and then attempted to find network again and input password.
3. Uninstalled both tcp/ip protocols for both machines and restarted them and installed again.
4. Changed SSID
5. Scanned for other networks that could potentiall cause a conflict, but found nothing and am really living in a remote location with neighbours >100 m away.
6. Disconnected my Linksys router which was plugged into the BT Voyager as I wanted to use the WEP feature on Linksys to play with the Nintendo DS (I want to use WPA2 for the BT Voyager. The Linksys Router is switched off right at the start of all my troubleshooting.
7. Changed the channel that it was working on from 9 and then again to 6. Two cordless cell phones in the house but again, changing channels on the router didnt resolve the issue.
********* What is working**********
What did get this working for me was removing all wireless network encryption. Obviously this is not my ideal choice and would prefer to get this fixed.
Is it possible, somehow that my ISP can prevent the WPA from working? I cant understand this to be the case so if so could you explain in detail for me please?
What else can I do here?
Thanks in advance for your help.
This morning, for no apparent reason, both laptops couldnt connect to the wireless network throught BT Voyager's router.
This was strange so I did the normal scan for networks and tried to reconnect. No joy; it just attempts to connect with "acquiring network" and then just drops. It doesnt connect, and if it's only for a few seconds.
So to let you know what I've done so far with this:
1. Flushed dns settings.
2. Removed detected network from settings and then attempted to find network again and input password.
3. Uninstalled both tcp/ip protocols for both machines and restarted them and installed again.
4. Changed SSID
5. Scanned for other networks that could potentiall cause a conflict, but found nothing and am really living in a remote location with neighbours >100 m away.
6. Disconnected my Linksys router which was plugged into the BT Voyager as I wanted to use the WEP feature on Linksys to play with the Nintendo DS (I want to use WPA2 for the BT Voyager. The Linksys Router is switched off right at the start of all my troubleshooting.
7. Changed the channel that it was working on from 9 and then again to 6. Two cordless cell phones in the house but again, changing channels on the router didnt resolve the issue.
********* What is working**********
What did get this working for me was removing all wireless network encryption. Obviously this is not my ideal choice and would prefer to get this fixed.
Is it possible, somehow that my ISP can prevent the WPA from working? I cant understand this to be the case so if so could you explain in detail for me please?
What else can I do here?
Thanks in advance for your help.
I have seen an issue with the SSID not being broadcast causing some people's laptops to not be able to connect consistently.
ASKER
"I have seen an issue with the SSID not being broadcast causing some people's laptops to not be able to connect consistently."
I was thinking that too, but then I did switch off encryption and I am able to connect. In fact, I am using that method to stay online currently.
What do you recommend I use Xirrus specifically for? I found just the one network right now.
I was thinking that too, but then I did switch off encryption and I am able to connect. In fact, I am using that method to stay online currently.
What do you recommend I use Xirrus specifically for? I found just the one network right now.
Its just that those are all better tools than the signal strength status from windows.
Just another thought - have you checked to see if there is any later firmware for your router?
Or perhaps an overwrite of the same version?
Or perhaps an overwrite of the same version?
I would reset the Router to defaults & then try to reconfigure the network.
You can think of the Router as a dedicated Computer. Generally everything works right but just like Windows gets software rot when it has been operating continuosly for years, I think the Router can face a similar situation forcing a rebuild from scatch.
http://ask-leo.com/what_kind_of_maintenance_should_i_do_to_avoid_software_rot.html
Ravi.
You can think of the Router as a dedicated Computer. Generally everything works right but just like Windows gets software rot when it has been operating continuosly for years, I think the Router can face a similar situation forcing a rebuild from scatch.
http://ask-leo.com/what_kind_of_maintenance_should_i_do_to_avoid_software_rot.html
Ravi.
I have had a similar issue where it was not the access point / router but a Windows update from Microsoft which caused issues for Windows XP, Vista, 7 RC. If possible do a system restore back to a date when wireless was working and all should be well.
Note: Doing a system restore will NOT erase any data that has been saved since that date.
Doug
Note: Doing a system restore will NOT erase any data that has been saved since that date.
Doug
Have you tried a WEP rather than WPA to see if you can connect to the router?
Is your router upgraded to the latest firmware?
Is your router upgraded to the latest firmware?
ASKER
Hi all,
Both laptops have recently undergone a Windows Update so I will check to see if I can roll back. However, if it was a Windows Update issue can you point me to a link on the problem as I'd like to see what MS are going to do about it, if anything.
Isgt best - I have tried WEP too but the same problem persists.
Latest firmware has been installed on the router.
Update for you all:
I was able to get hold of another ADSL router and EXACTLY the same issues persist.
Perhaps this IS a Windows Update issue?
Both laptops have recently undergone a Windows Update so I will check to see if I can roll back. However, if it was a Windows Update issue can you point me to a link on the problem as I'd like to see what MS are going to do about it, if anything.
Isgt best - I have tried WEP too but the same problem persists.
Latest firmware has been installed on the router.
Update for you all:
I was able to get hold of another ADSL router and EXACTLY the same issues persist.
Perhaps this IS a Windows Update issue?
ASKER
Ok - I just checked the last Windowus Updates from the Windows Update Site and the latest updates were on the 8th December 2009 for this PC. The problem with this though is that this particular PC had a fresh installation only five days ago so that can't be right.
On another note I have remotely connected to another PC away from me on a different network and it too is having the exact same issue. It will connect if the network is unsecured and wont if encrypted. This is unusual as it's my brother's laptop and he knew nothing about the problems I've been having. He plugged it into the LAN cabled and that's how I am able to log in remotely.
So that's three laptops all having the same issue and have three different routers to play with.
Using Control Manager I can see a list of fixes from Windows Update - I'll install one at a time to see how I go.
This is what I'll also do:
Create an Encrypted network on the spare ADSL router and use that for my testing.
Uninstall the updates one by one to see what the problem one is.
IO'll report back here.
On another note I have remotely connected to another PC away from me on a different network and it too is having the exact same issue. It will connect if the network is unsecured and wont if encrypted. This is unusual as it's my brother's laptop and he knew nothing about the problems I've been having. He plugged it into the LAN cabled and that's how I am able to log in remotely.
So that's three laptops all having the same issue and have three different routers to play with.
Using Control Manager I can see a list of fixes from Windows Update - I'll install one at a time to see how I go.
This is what I'll also do:
Create an Encrypted network on the spare ADSL router and use that for my testing.
Uninstall the updates one by one to see what the problem one is.
IO'll report back here.
ASKER
Just uninstalled all service pack updates for yesterday and the same problem persists.
I'm at a loss now.
I'm at a loss now.
Did you try SSID broadcast when encryption is on? That is the case where I had the problem.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Update
Problem solved. grtraders suggestion fixed the issue on all three machines.
I'll award the points to grtraders as it did solve the issue, but I'd really like to know why this happened in the first place, on all machines running XP - two on XP Pro one on XP Home.
Will many others have this problem too?
Problem solved. grtraders suggestion fixed the issue on all three machines.
I'll award the points to grtraders as it did solve the issue, but I'd really like to know why this happened in the first place, on all machines running XP - two on XP Pro one on XP Home.
Will many others have this problem too?
ASKER
Solved the problem completely. Thank you.
I would say load up xirrus, netstumbler or issider tool and see what may be going on.