Re: Linksys wireless looses connection
Originally posted by eurolarva:<br /> If I choose to use a specific IP address I have to insert IP address, Subnet mask and default gateway. Also by doing this istead of selecting obtain an IP automatically I also can not use obtain a DNS server address automatically. I will also have to enter prefered DNS server address and alternate DNS server address. The old dns numbers I got from Comcast a couple of years ago was 204.127.204.008 and DNS 2 was 216.148.227.204. When I use these DNS numbers with the static address of 192.168.001.002, subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 and default gateway of 192.168.1.1 I can not get on the internet or get into the router. I switched back to auto IP and am able to get back on the internet. My router is Linksys BEFW11S4 version 4 80211b and the adapter is Wusb11 ver 4 adapter.<br /><br />The other thing I dont understand is if I turn my SSID beacon off why I can get on wireless. Seems to me I used to have this off and I was albe to talk to the router. I think the router is FUBAR. Firmware and drivers are all updated and the wireless adaptor is new because the one I had before just quit working completely .
When you goto a static IP address, like you did at 192.168.001.002, this is the wrong format for the IP address. It should be 192.168.1.2 (i think you just typed a typo , here in your post) that should be fine. <br /><br />The entire entrys should look like this:<br /><br />IP 192.168.1.2<br />subnet mask 255.255.255.0<br />Gateway 192.168.1.1<br /><br />DNS Primary 192.168.1.1<br />DNS Secondary 192.168.1.1<br /><br />Wait just a minute, How can the DNS entries be the same as your router IP? It's because the router already gets the CURRENT LIVE Comcast DNS IP's. You can log into the router and goto the first screen showing the status of your connection, you'll see the current DNS IP's that Comcast is using. If Comcast changes their DNS server IP's , the router gets those new IP's. So by entering the Primary and Secondary DNS entries to 192.168.1.1, you're telling Windows to ask the router what the current DNS IP's to use and everything is found. It's a small wonder that you got an IP address from you router but were unable to surf because you were using old DNS IP's from long ago.<br /><br />Now, about your router. That is an older router. Linksys does have firmware for it. You mention that it's a version 4 router, but didn't mention the firmware revision . This can be found in the router settings. Compare the version of firmware to the info on this
Link <br /><br />I have to agree with Tedder, if you're getting dropped connections on a hardline Cat5 cable, then it's a router issue. BTW, if you've ever flashed your router's firmware, you must do a hard router reset AFTER the flash for it to fully be implimented.This means holding down the reset button on the router to set it back to factory settings. This means that you'll have to enter any info back into the router (wireless settings etc) manually. Despite what you may have heard, don't try to restore a previous firmwares backup file to the new firmware flash. The eerom gets hosed.<br /><br />As for the interference from cordless phones and microwave ovens,yes it can happen. Since most routers come factory delivered on channel 6, you'd want to change the default channel from 6 to say channel 1 or channel 11. For no other reason than to get off the channel all of your neighbors are using, because most folks just leave it at channel 6 but to also get away from possible cordless phone interference.<br /><br />I agree, you should be able to connect to your router with the SSID beacon disabled, as long as both the wireless adaptor and router have the same Wireless Network Name. The only problem that some have run into is in the case of multiple Wireless Access Points and are roaming betweem them. It might take a bit longer to associate if the SSID is disabled.<br />By having it disabled, other WinXP users won't be able to 'see' your router and ask them if they want to connect to you. <br />Personally it is of little real security.Anyone who knows their stuff can use a program to sniff out your SSID , even if you have it hidden. It take 5 seconds go get ypour SSID.<br /><br />Since you have WPA/TKIP enabled, why care if they can see you, they can't associate with your router if they tried. Having the beacon turned off can only slow down your assiciation with your own router.<br /><br />OK, you said "I dont see any wireless features on this system." Just because you don't see them, doesn't mean they aren't there. I you go into Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Services, look down the list for Wireless Zero Configuration.If it'senabled then Windows handles your wireless connection. You can disable the service, just right click on this entry and hit Stop (to stop it from running) and ckick on Disable then Apply. It won't take over your wireless connection upon next bootup. Now you can use the wireless Client Manager that came with your Wireless adaptor to control the settings. All of this assumes that you have SP2 (Service Pack 2) for WinXP.<br /><br />I personally don't care for Windows controlling something that I can do myself and have more control over, but this a personal preference.<br /><br />If you do go for a newer router, I'd opt for the 802.11G flavor. Awhile back,the WRT54G series made a big splash.It had (has) a Linux OS. Lots of folks modified the firmware and made a 60 dollar router into a 200.00 VPN router with just a firmware flash. I have 2 WRT's myself running modified firmware and are absolutely rock solid. Linksys didn't like people modifying their routers and changed the chipset to one that runs a locked OS...hence , no modifications. You can read more about this stuff by Googleing WRT54 HACK.<br /><br />BTW,there were some issues with some model routers with over heating. Make sure the router has plenty of airflow around it, nothing sittingontop of the router. There's a link to a website that shows you how to open the case of your router (it's like a Chinese(sp) Box. Easy if you know how. The site has pictures of the steps (it's easy...I've done it many times). Anyway, by opening the case, you allow more air to circulate and keep the IC's cooler...less heat, no lockups.... Some folks aim a small fan directly at the router and the lockups stop.
