Hi .. I'm new so please be gentle ....

I'm setting up a wireless network at my home. I have a 3com Home Connect Wireless Gateway which I use as a router for RCN Cable Modem service. We get a DHCP address from RCN and fixed DNS addresses to use.

I've got two laptops, both running Windows 2000 Professional. One has a wireless PCMCIA card and the other has a USB Wireless Card. Both laptops can connect with a great signal to the wireless router -- browses just fine. However, both laptops disconnect after a short amount of time (maybe 10 minutes or so). I can not regain browser connectivity unless I reboot them.

Weird thing is the wireless connection is there -- I see a connection in the link quality utility which usually shows something between 95% and 100%.

Both laptops are set to accept a DHCP address from the server (the Wireless Gateway) and I enter in the DNS addresses manually on all the systems.

The Gateway is configured as a DHCP server (I wonder if this is my problem..)
I've also enabled NAT on the Gateway.

I also have a system that is connected to the gateway via Ethernet cable. The wired system works great -- no disconnects.

Can someone tell me if they've seen this problem before? I'm guessing there's something that I've missed in the configuration but I can't figure out what!

[Edited on 20/10/2003 by deejaygirl]

Hmmmmm...sounds strange...

Since the wired connection works fine, I am thinking it is not the AP/Router that is the problem..

I would try uninstalling the wireless software on the Laptop, that goes with the wi-fi card, and re-install. Then just set the configurations over again..

See if that helps...If not, post another message...In meantime Ill see what my settings are configured at and post them...

Good Luck

Wireless devices are very susceptible to various conditions. Here are some things to look for even when you have good signal strength. Microwave ovens operate in the same frequency range as your wireless devices, and 2.4 Gig phones also operate in that range. Also if have a neighbor that is close to you with a powerful 2.4 Gig phone it could cause interference.

What you should try is changing your channel settings on your router to one of these 3 channels 1,6 or 11 these channels do not overlap which will help with any interfearance. I hope that this solves your problem.

Mike
www.landivision.com


[Edited on 21/10/2003 by tazz66]

I am fixed on channel 11 --

Also, I tried reinstalling the wireless card drivers last night. No luck. Its almost right on the dot. I have internet connection on the laptop for about 8 minutes and then GONE.

The ethernet connection still works like a champ -- I'm a bit baffled but I may try getting a new Access Point. The 3com HomeConnect Wireless Gateway is old and outdated --

Well, I got it working!

I reset the gateway to its factory settings and reconfigured everything. This time, I enabled encryption ... but I'm pretty sure its not enabling encryption that is allowing it to work -- I believe it was due to resetting the gateway and reconfiguring.

That was one thing that I forgot to tell you to do, was reset the unit. They sometimes lock up and need to be reset. Sorry!

Mike
www.LanDivision.com