Linksys 802.11B

eurolarva · Dec 2, 2005

I have both my computers running on a router using wireless adapters. I have the broadcast beacon shut off, and have computer set to not automatically use TCP IP address. I have this set to two numbers which each computer uses such as 192.168.001.20 and 21. I am using 128K wep encryption. The problem is for no reason I loose connection to the internet or to the router. Some times I have to go in a re key in my WEP key or just go to TCP IP click on properties then close it and I will establish connection to the internet. Sometimes I un power the router then re power it and It will work. Sometimes I cant get one computer to work on the internet and the other one will work fine. Both computers are now on Win XP home. Lots of windows under properties under TCP/IP that I am using the defaults for because I am not sure what they do. Any Ideas on what I can do to make this a more stable enviornment?

Hunky Dory · Dec 3, 2005

Re: Linksys 802.11B

If it connects at all you can assume your setup is correct. As for dropouts, look for RF competition. In my house it comes the 2.4 GB FHSS telephones, which intentionally use most of the channels. Panasonic advised me to try channel 10 for my 802.11G connection and it does work more reliably. Curiously chan 11 did not... Also put the antennas as close as possible and keep the phones (if of the 2.4 variety) away from the setup. Mine is fairly reliable now.

eurolarva · Dec 4, 2005

Re: Linksys 802.11B

I left computer on last night and it crapped out in the middle of the night. All cordless phones in their cradles. I will try changing channels on the router and see if that helps. Thanks for the reply Hunky Dory.

springhead · Dec 4, 2005

Re: Linksys 802.11B

Hi, Ive been having the same problems using the same router you have, I called my cable provider(cox cable) and they told me i have a problem with the router,mind you that they did some work on the lines and said they were upgrading the network, they told me i need to upgrade and buy a new router. Its happened a few times this week amd once today, I have to do a hard reboot on the router to get it to work again, i dont see the need for a router yet, if i find anything out i will post it in the forums.BTW go to http://forums.majorgeeks.com/ a lot of people in there are having the same problems and there are some answers there. Later David

Xcusme · Dec 5, 2005

Re: Linksys 802.11B

What Brand and Model # router are you using?? Do you have cable or DSL service?? Was that a mis-type on the static IP's you are using?? (192.168.001.20) Did you mean to say 192.168.1.20 and 21? Just curious... You might want to check to see what the default DHCP rage is of your router. Typically it's in the range of 192.168.1.100 thru 192.168.1.199 or something like that.Why they default to 99 users on a home system is beyond me, especially for a wireless system. Personally, I change the DHCP range to a number that matches the number if computers I expect to be using on the system , plus a couple more for overhead. For example, if I have 5 CAT5 computers on the system, I'll make the DHCP range 192.168.1.2=>192.168.1.6. I'll then make room for a couple of wireless clients, which adds 2 more possible IP addresses, and I end up with 192.168.1.2=>192.168.8. It's best to NOT assign static IP's to your computers with-in the default DHCP range of your router. In this example, assuming that your router's IP is 192.168.1.1, you could use any IP for your computers that falls with-in this range, 192.168.1.2=>192.168.1.99 and 192.168.1.200=>192.168.254. If you have the option, use WPA, not WEP. Wep encryption is weak and is easily cracked. If you have older equipment and WEP is the only encryption offered, then by all means use it, it's better than nothing. The other options like MAC address filtering and hiding the SSID do little to deter the bad guys. Using the right wireless utilities, this info is passed between the computers and router and can be seen anyway. Hiding the SSID (turning off broadcast) can be problematic, but it does keep out the casual scriptkiddie looking for an easy, open access point. If you've had your router past the warrantee period, try removing the top of the case. Heat build-up within the case can cause frequent lock-ups.

eurolarva · Dec 5, 2005

Re: Linksys 802.11B

I have a linksys router with linksys wusb11 adapters and have comcast cable for internet. I have the broadcast beacon turned off and DHCP allowing only two computers (Both desktop computers, niether hard wired) access. I have set them at 192.168.1.010 and 192.168.1.011. I have been using WEP because this computer until recently was ME instead of XP. I also figured I would wait because of the problems I am having to switch to WPA. My thinking here is I know the wep key but if WPA keeps changing it how am I going to get back in? I did as hunky dory recommended and switched to channel 10 and so far so good. One of the other issues is that when I have problems with the router I can not communicate with the router unless I hard wire it with a lan cable. This tells me it is not my ISP causing the problem but a router problem. If the problem comes back I will try and remove the cover and see if this is a heat issue.

timfromfc · Dec 5, 2005

Re: Linksys 802.11B

It sounds more like a hardware problem if you can't get connect to the router via wireless. If I were to spend your money, I would just go out and buy a new 802.11G router. They are so cheap ($30-$40 after rebates) that even if it isn't your problem, you will get the faster 54Mbps wireless and WPA protection which is much better. Of course, your wireless endpoints would have to support both, but newer ones tend to. From the part number you gave, my guess is that it only goes to 11Mbps though. I bought one at Best Buy that didn't fix my problem and they gave me a full refund so there was little risk.

Xcusme · Dec 5, 2005

Re: Linksys 802.11B

Interesting....you mentioned..."I have the broadcast beacon turned off and DHCP allowing only two computers (Both desktop computers, niether hard wired) access. I have set them at 192.168.1.010 and 192.168.1.011. Perhaps I'm cornfused

It sounds like you have the DHCP range in the router set to start at IP address 192.168.1.10 and end at 192.168.1.11, (from your text above) In your first post you mentioned that you have each computer setup with a static IP address (you checked the box that says "Use the following IP address" (in network settings-TCP/IP)and entered in 192.168.1.10 for one computer and 192.168.1.11 for the other. In my previous post, I mentioned that if the ROUTER DHCP range is (for instance) 192.168.1.100 thru 192.168.1.199, you do not want to manually assign static IP's within this range. A bad IP, manually assigned might be 192.168.1.150 as it falls within the DHCP range of the router. Wanna try something?? (what do you have to loose except your sanity....mine's been gone for some time now...) Log into your router and goto the DHCP section. Make the DHCP range start at 192.168.1.100 and end at 192.168.1.103 (enough for 4 IP's on the hardwire LAN ports) in case you want to connect another computer to one of the RJ45 CAT5 lan ports . ------------------------------------------------- On your first computer, go into Network settings-TCP/IP Click the box "Use the following IP Address" Enter this info" I.P: 192.168.1.10 Subnet: 255.255.255.0 Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1 Primary DNS: 192.168.1.1 ------------------------------------------------- On the second computer, go into Network settings-TCP/IP Click the box "Use the following IP Address" Enter this info" I.P: 192.168.1.11 Subnet: 255.255.255.0 Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1 Primary DNS: 192.168.1.1 Reboot each computer. On the first computer, click Start, Run In the box type "cmd" (no quotes), click OK A Dos window will open Type "ipconfig/all" (no quotes) hit the Enter key Verify that you have: IP address = 192.168.1.10 Subnet = 255.255.255.0 Gateway = 192.168.1.1 DNS= 192.168.1.1 Type "ping 192.168.1.1" (no quotes), hit Enter key You should see replies FROM the router, which is 192.168.1.1 Type "exit" , then Enter to exit Do the same steps above on your second computer. It's IP should be 192.168.1.11, all other info should be the same (subnet,gateway, DNS etc) Since you didn't mention the Model number of your Linksys router, I'll assume it's running stock firmware. The reason I mention this is some Linksys (and other brands)of routers, can run modified firmware that has an option to NOT allow access to the router programming features thru a wireless link. This can be a good feature, as your router would not be hackable from outside your home using a wireless NIC (network interface card). You would only be able to login into the router to make changes thru a wired Cat5 cable and that's better security. If it is stock firmware, you should be able to goto your browser, enter 192.168.1.1 on the top URL/Address line, hit enter, and see the routers login screen, from either of your computers.... BTW, since you mentioned it...if you do go WPA, don't use common dictionary words in the passphrase... Go here Strong Passphrase and do a copy paste of one of the generated codes. Of course, keep a copy of the code(s) on a floppy for safe keeping. Don't worry 'bout the code dynamically changing, that happens only AFTER the initial key enchange. For folks that still use WEP (128 or 64 bit), you can use just a 'part' of the listed codes from the GRC site. Just cut as many characters as you need from one of the codes, it's still good. WEP, as mentioned can be cracked, but it sure beats nothing.

18rabbit · Dec 5, 2005

Re: Linksys 802.11B

If you are using 802.11b/g you might want to start by disabling any/all Bluetooth devices in your home. Those two wi-fi networks can have conflict problems with Bluetooth devices, in addition to the phones already mentioned. Im opting for 802.11a (5gHz). Its supposedly a little more robust than b/g (2.4 gHz), less interference potential from phones and Bluetooth devices. On the down side, it wont transmit the length for 2 football fields. When at home I have my computer search for wi-fi nets, theres usually four to six 802.11b/g networks active, 1 or 2 unsecured. None of my neighbors is using 802.11a. A good overview of wi-fi, not too technical, can be found on C-Nets website. http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3243_7-5021297-1.html

TwoBallScrewBall · Dec 5, 2005

Re: Linksys 802.11B

Careful with the way you specify IPs. On some systems 192.168.001.020 is NOT the same as 192.168.1.20. Don't ask me how I know, it definitely was NOT an experiment on a production system. As far as the wireless dropoffs, above advice is good.

eurolarva · Dec 11, 2005

Re: Linksys 802.11B

The frequency change to 10 seems to have done the trick. Have gone over a week now without so much as a hickup. Will switch to WPA instead of WEP sometime later this week. Thanks guys for the replies.

Linksys 802.11B

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