Ruth
Sat Apr 12 06:40:19 PDT 2008
Well, I think I might have possibly got to the bottom of this issue finally.
1. Reinstalled wifi drivers on both laptops - no difference
2. Set up Certificated Wireless - Authentication failed (not sure why)
3. Re-sited wireless access point to on top of a desk. Returned to regular
WPA-PSK on channel 11 - One laptop connects, one does not, sits at
"acquiring network address" and does not get a dhcp lease
4. Changed wireless access point channel to 6 - Both laptops connect
BUT
Just had an email from the company, saying that the network randomly dropped
out .. wireless is connected but they lost connection to their shares.
My thoughts on this are, that they are using cordless phones, which are
probably frequency hopping. Therefore 90% of the time everything is fine,
but that one time when the phones use the frequency of the WAP channel, it
drops wireless.
Are there any suggestions on which channels are best to use to minimise such
outages? The office is VERY small so physically separating the two devices
which plug into sockets next to each other is somewhat difficult but I will
look into it.
Given the fact that one laptop will NOT work on channel 11 which seems to be
the favoured channel to avoid interference (anyone got any ideas why this
might be not connecting? They're both relatively new laptops and the other
laptop was fine on the wireless for several days on channel 11 but this
laptop just would not connect) I am now running on channel 6, but am open to
suggestions which might reduce this dropping out.
Many thanks once again to everyone for your helpful answers.
Ruth
"Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie@mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in message
news:992DE4B9-A341-4A21-AAA8-CE9AC17BF7F4@microsoft.com...
>I use Intel Ethernet NICs whenever I can, and have been quite happy with
>them. But wireless? They are problematic, to say the least. I've been
>sticking to D-Link for wireless. They have been working well for me, AND
>they have the advantage that I know where to go if I have any issues. Most
>of their stuff seems to use an Atheros chipset, and that's been the most
>stable for a while.
>
> I don't buy Dell anything, so can't really comment on their cards.
>
> --
> Charlie.
>
http://msmvps.com/xperts64
>
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel
>
>
> "Dave Nickason [SBS MVP]" <gwdibble@NOSPAM.frontiernet.net> wrote in
> message news:16521150-566B-4A13-A426-75A4C9B26E21@microsoft.com...
>> Interesting that you mention Intel. I've got two Dell laptops, one 5
>> years old and one brand new, where I'm having weird wireless issues with
>> Intel NICs. They not only fail without obvious cause, but sometimes they
>> start working again without explanation. I've bought Intel NICs assuming
>> them to be better than the Dells - probably a bad choice.
>>
>>
>> "Charlie Russel - MVP" <charlie@mvKILLALLSPAMMERSps.org> wrote in message
>> news:6DB11C49-99BF-459E-844D-579C278DA325@microsoft.com...
>>> You might try giving the problem laptop a different WiFi card.
>>> Especially if it's using the built in wireless, and that built in is an
>>> Intel based wireless. I've seen a fair number of problems with the Intel
>>> drivers on XP and the signal speed slowly degrading and then random
>>> drops.
>>>
>>> Also, if you suspect interference, try switching them to 802.11a - it's
>>> on a different frequency. But, of course, that is probably a fairly
>>> extreme solution if they didn't include 802.11a support in their
>>> original design and hardware choices.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Charlie.
>>>
http://msmvps.com/xperts64
>>>
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/charlie.russel
>>>
>>>
>>> "Ruth Cheesley suffolkcomputerservices co (dot) uk>" <newsgroup<atdot>
>>> wrote in message news:%238Ofrl5jIHA.3940@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>> Again huge thanks to everyone.
>>>>
>>>> The signal is 5/5 bars and I am using Windows to manage the wireless.
>>>>
>>>> I have my suspicions that the wireless could be dropping out due to
>>>> interference - this is a catering firm so lots of electrical stuff
>>>> going on, and also they use cordless phones. Seemed odd that it was
>>>> seeming to forget the password though?
>>>>
>>>> I will try changing the wifi channel and see if this improves some, I'm
>>>> out again on a site visit tomorrow morning and will investigate the
>>>> suggestion to implement certificate based.
>>>>
>>>> Cheers :)
>>>>
>>>> Ruth
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Ruth Cheesley suffolkcomputerservices co (dot) uk>" <newsgroup<atdot>
>>>> wrote in message news:%23HqtfH5jIHA.2276@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>>> Hi guys,
>>>>>
>>>>> I have a laptop on a SBS network, for some reason it keeps randomly
>>>>> dropping the network - I am not entirely sure what is going on, but it
>>>>> seems to keep losing the wireless access key. I have another laptop
>>>>> on the same network which is, however, still connecting fine.
>>>>>
>>>>> Both laptops are XP, using the same wifi point, and both users have
>>>>> the same permissions level. The key is being assigned locally rather
>>>>> than via any policies - could this be the issue and if so how do I
>>>>> configure to automatically provide the wireless key, as this could
>>>>> resolve quite a few problemos!
>>>>>
>>>>> Ruth
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>