Netgear w/less adaptor problem

stevemcol

Hi

Helped a friend set up his wireless network yesterday (netgear router and PC adaptor card).
All works fine for a time but then his PC locks up. Complete screen freeze including mouse and won't even CTRL-ALT-DEL.
I wasn't there when he installed the adaptor card so I've recommended he removes and uninstalls completely, then re-install (in case he hadn't got the card all the way home).

If this fails, has anyone got any suggestions?

Cheers

Zahc

That's good advice. Driver might be a problem. Did you/he use the supplied software. Is he using XP?

Zahc

stevemcol

He is using the netgear driver supplied but allowing XP to manage his wireless network.

Zahc

The other thing that sometimes happens is that there may be other wifi networks within range, this can cause conflicts.
Right click on the network icon and click 'view available wireless networks'. If there's more than one, look left and you'll see an option to change order of preferred networks. Click on that and do just that, his own network being preffered of course. You can also uncheck the box that says allow windows to manage etc, but I reckon you know that:)

Zahc

stevemcol

There are no other networks listed. I got him to rename his SSID to something more unique, just in case.
I've had my laptop round there and it works fine on his network.
I told him to let windows managing things. Do you think he might be better of using the netgear utility?

His wireless range is marginal (about 3-4 bars) but I'd hope loss of signal wouldn't lock his PC completely?

woo

have you checked the netgear site for a newer driver? which adapter are they using?

stevemcol

It's the WG311 54Mbps.
I'll have a look for the latest driver.

Cheers

Zahc

I've had my laptop round there and it works fine on his network.
I told him to let windows managing things. Do you think he might be better of using the netgear utility?

Not if your machine works fine on his network.

His wireless range is marginal (about 3-4 bars) but I'd hope loss of signal wouldn't lock his PC completely?

You'd hope not, but we are talking MS/Netgear. It's not beyond the realms of possibilities that a marginal signal might lock everything up, but it is doubtful. You could move the router to see if it has an effect.

As Woo says, it'll be worth checking for an updated driver.