I have a wireless modem-router, attached to the old computer by a network cable in the study. Then I have a wireless networking card in my new computer in my bedroom, which is just down the hall. The wireless internet keeps disconnecting and it's driving me barmy. Sometimes it stays on all day, other times it disconnects every few minutes and I have to go through the 'repair' thing under network connections. Is this typical of wireless internet or do you think I may have a faulty modem or wireless card?

I`m thinking it has something to do with your old computer try taking that one off line then see how you connection is.

Also have to rebooted your modem lately?

also with wireless outside sources such as cordless phones and such will interfere.

One last thing people can connect to the net using your connection if your security is not good and that would also cause your connectivity issues.

Yeah, I haven't been able to work out how to do that encryption thing so right now it is an open network. I've rebooted the modem plenty of times but it still does it. If the old computer is disconnected then the kids won't have the internet on and they'll bug me to use my computer so I guess that's going to have to stay the way it is. I bought a cordless phone set which works on a different frequency so it wouldn't interfere. Do mobile phones interfere with wireless modems?

yes...but not significantly to drop a network...how "old" is your computer in the study...Long cabels are more likeley to "pick up" electromagnetic disturbances. Unless its insulated.

Hope you get things worked out
peace,
Austin
ps. What does "The original thread killer" mean........*wimps* dont kill me

The computer was built about 3 years ago (cheaply, by my brother but with new parts). I think it's a 1300mhz, with 256 RAM. The network cable isn't very long - probably about 3 feet. I use that computer to 'talk' to the modem when I have to reset it with the setup wizard. I don't do that often - usually I just unplug the modem and then plug it in again and it resets itself. I also have an Apple laptop (nothing but bad luck with that thing and I'll never buy another Apple), which has sadly gone bung, but when it was working, it often lost the connection too. I noticed that if we were asking alot of the modem, for instance, using Skype, with a webcam, it didn't seem to like the large amount of bandwidth it was being asked to take care of. Could the cutting off problem have to do with the modem not being fast enough, and maybe someone else is using the network at the times it cuts out? How can I find out if anyone else is using the wireless network? I guess I should pull my finger out and work out this encryption thing.

Re: the original thread killer...Lol - you're safe with me - honest! The original thread killer is a tongue in cheek reference to the fact that I rarely ever post, but when I do, I always come late to the thread, and then I end up being the last one ever to post on it - hence I 'kill' the thread!

Oh, and also, right next to the modem is a powerboard with a number of plugs in it - could that be interfering at all?

Doubtful.

I was asking you if you tryed connecting with the old one disconnected as a troubleshooter.

there could be alot of things that would cause this you have to rule obvious things first before we can say its the modem or wireless adapter.

ok i'll try disconnecting the old computer and see whether things improve. I'll let you know how it goes

http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wireles...ifisecurity.htm


http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirelesstips.mspx

try those links

http://www.networkmagic.com/

Thanks Seth - I'll try and get it sorted today.

Well, I pulled out the network cable but it still went kaput quite a few times, so that can't be it. I haven't got onto the encryptian thing yet - that requires a brain and mine is on back order. Am I correct in presuming that an adsl wireless modem should be on all of the time?

Do you have a wireless phone?

First what kind of connection are you using, dial up, DSL, network modem.
You have you wireless router connected to modem or modem connected to the wireless router?
Next what kinds of router is it? What is it signal strength when in use? I have my router about seven feet up. Great for reception.

Next, when you full connection, go to Task Manager and check the amount of CPU usage and memory usage. If the CPU is very high (around 100% most of the time) and not enough, then that is your problem.

Rohn

I have had a similar problem that i have managed to just sort out. Al most the same situation as you but with computers in all my kids rooms plus a couple of extras. in my case the laptop kept dropping out. Sometimes i would be sitting and the signal strength would be excellent. Then the stupid thing would drop out, and show low signal. It has been driving me nuts. In the end i logged on to the router. To do this check your documentation, it is easy, you will need the IP address of the router, it will be in the book, if you dont have your bookgoogle the model number and you will find what you want. Anyway you will need to put in an ip address in your browser. Ones that might work are...
10.1.1.1
192.168.1.1
192.168.0.1
192.168.100.1
192.168.100.0
if these fail, then you will have to check your documentation.
If it works you will get a logon box, type in admin for the username
and try either admin for the password or nothing for the password.

once you have logged on you will see all sorts of settings that you have to be Bill gates to understand. Keep looking around until you find the channel setting.
Change it to a different channel. Save the settings, then go check your signam strength on the other machine. Keep doing this untile you find a channel that gives you good strength. If the range is such that all channels give you good strength try changing them anyway. If your signal strength is low, this can easily caus epacket loss and possibly drop you off. Also many wireless routers operate at 2.4 gigahertze. unfortunatley so do many mobile walk around the house phones, some wireless intercoms and many other domestic wireless appliances. They can interfere.
With my setup at home using the default settings i was getting only 1 to 2 mb/s in the study from a 54mb/s router. I had drop out after drop out. Once i changed the channel i jumped from 2 to 36mb/s and a reliable signal.
Also things that can help are antenna orientation. Experiment with the position and direction that your antennas point. Try and make them parralel if you can. Dont have one vertical and one horizontal. But experiment with that as well.
Oh yea, dont forget to save your settingsin the router or once you power down it may not save.
If all this doesnt work well let us know and there is still a few more things you can try that might help
Good Luck with it
Cheers
Dundee