Bizarre network issue can no longer connect to router(s)

antispam246

I'm using a Netgear DGN2000 as an attachment to my network for -n

I have 2 devices currently using it, one my notebook using an intel wifi 5300 adapter and my dell laptop using a intel wifi link 4965AGN adapter.

When i set them both up about 3 months ago, they both worked flawlessly, reaching 130mbps constantly which was more than acceptable.

However, recently, my dell laptop has been playing up. I have 2 wireless routers on my network the dgn2000 for -n and a dg834 v3 for b/g

The problems I'm now experiencing with my dell laptop using the intel wifi link 4965agn adapter are;

1) Doesn't see either router
2) See's one router but not the other, works both ways but never see's them both together anymore
3) Can't connect to either router even when it see's it
4) Connects to the b/g router occassionally which is a 54mbps rotuer but never obtains a connection speed of more than 2mbps
5) Connects to b/g router but doesn't gain an internet connection, sometimes it does but with the 2mbps connection it's useless.
6) Drops the connection to b/g router altogether

The 4965agn is using the latest driver . I tried rolling back to the previous driver, still same problems.

I'm running windows 7 and have always been.

The annoying thing is, I never had any of these problems above previously, I don't know what's changed, nothing I think. The only possible change was a driver update, which as I said above I rolled back. I even tried another driver version, still nothing. I opened the laptop up to ensure the wifi card was seated properly and the aerials (3 of them) were still attached, all was good. So i'm baffled. The notebook with the 5300 adapter still works fine, it see's both routers and connects efficiently to the dgn2000.

I've tried moving the dell laptop around but still same issue. It's currently right next to both wireless routers and was when I experienced all these problems above.

I just did a final reboot, upon rebooting it see's both routers, and connects to the b/g one automatically but only at 2mbps.

When i attempt to connect to the -n router I get

"Windows was unable to connect to the NETGEAR-n (my dgn2000). This is what i always get, i've ran through all the trouble shooters and nothing.

Also, after i've tried to connect to dgn2000 once and failed, after that it no longer even see's it.

Any ideas? Willing to try anything.

NOTE: I've posted this problem elsewhere awhile ago, and after 3 weeks all threads have gone dead with no possible solutions, so I'm trying here.

These are some of the responses so far

poster wrote:

Have you checked to see whether any other AP's have appeared in your locale recently & thus interfere with your's? Search here for lots of threads describing how to use a tool called InSSIDer to survey your site.

Are your AP's on different wifi radio channels? Choose one from the set of 1,6,11 for each. Also, avoid any 40MHz of "dual channel" modes: With two AP's + (potentially) the neighbours, the chances of you getting a 40MHz links are slim.

My ResponseNeither router is capable of dual band. All on 20Mhz. The intel adapters auto negociate this anyway.

One is on channel 1 and the other on 11. I have tried changing the channels, still the same issue. I don't think there's anything new in the neighbour region. My Dell obviously can't see anything anyway but my samsung notebook seems to be pickign up a few others that have always been there, plus, again, it doesn't interfere with that notebook using the 5300 adapter.

I'll look up the tool but I don't think it's where the issue lies. Thanks though


Ok I've run the tool.

On my Dell laptop which has the issues, using Intel Wifi Link 4965AGN

It picks up both my routers

b/g router on channel 11 -50 RSSI

-n router on channel 1 -100 RSSI

When i did a re-scan, it no longer picked up the -n router, just b/g at same stats. Oh correction, it has, after like 20 seconds, -n router at -50 RSSI

Signals are both exceelent so I'm still clueless.

It's still connected to b/g at 2mbps and can't see -n on the windows control panel.


After running the tool on my working notebook using the intel wifi 5300

It picks up both my AP's and 3 others. Both my b/g and -n AP's are picked up at -50 RSSI just as on the Dell laptop.

The only difference I can see is, under the tab "Last Seen" where my notebook is updating every second for both AP's the Dell is not, the b/g router refreshes every second but the -n router has gaps varying up to 30 seconds.

So, it's seeing it, then not. Both laptops are next to each other and next to both routers. (Same room)

My last post which has had no replies anywhere was

Ok, I've now re-installed windows and I'm still having the same issue. Re-installing added the latest driver 12.4.3.9

Any ideas greatly appreciated, really baffled. I have a replacement card on the way, but I think this isn't going to resolve the issue.

elvch01

what channels are teh routers on? Try changing them to ensure both are on different channels

John_Gray

I'm a bit puzzled why (and even how!) you have two routers on your network, because surely one must have been customised to be simply a Wireless Access Point? Presumably you have whichever device you are using as the WAP located some way away from the main router, to ensure better wireless coverage?

"I have 2 wireless routers on my network the dgn2000 for -n and a dg834 v3 for b/g" Surely your 'n'; router will also do 'g' and 'b'? I don't know any which don't, out of the box - but you can turn one or more bands off on some routers (but why would you, unless you don't have any 'b' devices?).

Recently I had to do something like what you appear to have done, because an old Braille device did not support any security higher than WEP, and the main Draytek Vigor 2820 was set for WPA2. I put a WAP on the same LAN, with a different SSID and on a different channel to the Vigor. Theoretically you could use the same SSID - provided both devices used the same security levels.

More questions than answers, really...

elvch01

I think the "why" question is irrelevant (I actually have 2 wirless routers becaise I have 2 active internet connections -cable & ADSL) - but John's point regarding the b/g/n issue is well. Why not allow all devices to connect to both routers?


Defintely work checking the security level & keys again

antispam246

elvch01 wrote: »

what channels are teh routers on? Try changing them to ensure both are on different channels

As stated originally, 1 and 11, different channels and have tried changing through them all, same result.

antispam246

John_Gray wrote: »

I'm a bit puzzled why (and even how!) you have two routers on your network, because surely one must have been customised to be simply a Wireless Access Point? Presumably you have whichever device you are using as the WAP located some way away from the main router, to ensure better wireless coverage?

"I have 2 wireless routers on my network the dgn2000 for -n and a dg834 v3 for b/g" Surely your 'n'; router will also do 'g' and 'b'? I don't know any which don't, out of the box - but you can turn one or more bands off on some routers (but why would you, unless you don't have any 'b' devices?).

Recently I had to do something like what you appear to have done, because an old Braille device did not support any security higher than WEP, and the main Draytek Vigor 2820 was set for WPA2. I put a WAP on the same LAN, with a different SSID and on a different channel to the Vigor. Theoretically you could use the same SSID - provided both devices used the same security levels.

More questions than answers, really...

Both wireless are AP's with dhcp disable, basically they both extend my wired network. One gives access to b/g devices and the other -n only devices. The main is located next to the wireless as the main is wired. I need all the extra ports, which is why it's that way, no point throwing away a good router, that will happen when the wndr3700 is officially available.

Yes, the -n router does b/g BUT, by connecting lower band devices to it simultaneously with -n devices the -n connection speed/transfers take a huge hit, that's a common issue with -n as far as I'm aware. It's certainly applicable to the DGN2000. An example is when someone on an NDS (4 in the house) connects. Which also can't take the higher levels of security.

Yeh, I know you didn't say but as you mentioned it's not a security incompatibility issue. There are only two -n devices, the notebook and the dell laptop. They're the only 2 conencting and both use WPA2 and did do when they were working.

antispam246

elvch01 wrote: »

I think the "why" question is irrelevant (I actually have 2 wirless routers becaise I have 2 active internet connections -cable & ADSL) - but John's point regarding the b/g/n issue is well. Why not allow all devices to connect to both routers?


Defintely work checking the security level & keys again

I answered John above, so same applies. If it was feasible I'd do it but for now it's not. There are several wireless devices in the house, the -n router is reserved only for -n draft devices where transfer speed is somewhat critical, allowing it to be open to all devices would mean dropping security to WEP, which is a no no because the lowest wireless devices only support this and also, as I mentioned above, it would take a huge connection speed hit.

The fact it was working for 3 months and then not, is the killer. I guess your right, i'll have to re-check all the security levels and keys but I've done this a few times so...

warehouse

Have you thought about updating the router's firmware?

Otherwise try this place, the technical support is awesome. www.formatandreload.com

antispam246

warehouse wrote: »

Have you thought about updating the router's firmware?

Otherwise try this place, the technical support is awesome. www.formatandreload.com

All firmware is always up-to-date. There is no new U.K based firmware for the DGN2000. Again, it worked before and the notebook still works so it can't be a router issue. If it's a driver issue with the 4965AGN in the dell, it's confusing the hell out of me as I've covered everything from removing, reinstalling, different drivers.

Thank you I will certainly check that site out, always on the look out for good tech support sites.

antispam246

Ok, finally got round to my final test. Purchased a replacement card same model but slightly different. Both the original and new cards were Intel Wifi AGN4965. However the one that went faulty after 3 months was Model 4965AGN MM1. I purchased a replacement from an eBay seller I bought my wifi 5300 for my samsung notebook which came as a 4965AGN MM2.

Anyway, popped it in my Dell laptop and bam! It works, picking up all routers using 3 aerials and connecting hassle free to both my routers and especially my -n router with a solid 130mbps. I can only assume the MM1 batch had a fault or some sort of issue. I did get 3 months out of it atleast.

With that said case closed. Thanks for the replies and suggestions.