Wireless adaptor keeps dropping connection

Wammer

Hi

I recently moved my Netgear router to the lounge so that I could connect it to the Panasonic BW780 Blu-ray HD recorder.

I installed a Sweex Wireless 54G Adaptor to the desktop to make it wireless, but it often dropped the connection. I contacted Sweex who suggested changing the channel to 13.

I still got a few drop outs, but it would stay connected for a few hours at a time. However tonight it would only connect for about 2 minutes at a times and kept dropping the connection until I gave up and moved the router back.

Sweex also suggested disabling wireless security which I am not prepared to do.

Is it worth buying another adaptor or am I likely to have the same problem? I don't want to waste any more money if it wouldn't make any difference.

I would appreciate any suggestions or advice.

dispossessed

I would suggest changing the channel.

You may also be interested in a software program called InSSIDer

Hope this helps - drop outs are really annoying.

Trevor

debitcardmayhem

Moved the router .... on an extension socket ? or cable ? Trust you have filters on all phone sockets in use.

Wammer

Thanks for the replies. I have changed the channel several times from 11 to 13 and 9. Annoyingly I have to wait ages before I can get a connection to be able to change the channel then wait again to see if it will connect to the new channel.

I've had a quick look at inSSIDer. Do I need to do anything after I install it or does it just run in the background?

The router was moved to the master socket. It was originally on an extension which is hard-wired to the master socket, not connected by a plug. I have run various tests with the router in both locations and get the same speed test results.

With the router in the master socket it was about 20 feet away from the desktop and wireless adaptor.

debitcardmayhem

Wammer wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I have changed the channel several times from 11 to 13 and 9. Annoyingly I have to wait ages before I can get a connection to be able to change the channel then wait again to see if it will connect to the new channel.

I've had a quick look at inSSIDer. Do I need to do anything after I install it or does it just run in the background?

The router was moved to the master socket. It was originally on an extension which is hard-wired to the master socket, not connected by a plug. I have run various tests with the router in both locations and get the same speed test results.

With the router in the master socket it was about 20 feet away from the desktop and wireless adaptor.

Inssider run as you need it. It scans the wireless channels it can see and reports on that. No need to keep it running just as an when will do.

debitcardmayhem

Just as an aside, if you change the channel using the Sweex it will drop your connection because you are re-booting the router. Which version of windows are you using also ?

dispossessed

The general idea with inSSIDer in this application is to see whether their are other networks on the same channel that could account for your WiFi set up dropping out.

In terraced houses, flats or other built up areas it is not impossible that others are using the very channels you've switched to. InSSIDer enables you to view who's on what channel and make any further changes forearmed with this info (among other things).

Obviously, it could well be that your problems have nothing to do with which channel you're on and, as you've switched twice this would begin to incline one towards other causes. However it is a good place from which to start the troubleshooting process as, quite often switching channels is all you need to do to resolve the problem.

Trevor

Wammer

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

Just as an aside, if you change the channel using the Sweex it will drop your connection because you are re-booting the router. Which version of windows are you using also ?

Yes I realised that, but it was quite frustrating having to wait until it connected again so I could change the channel knowing that changing it was going to drop the connection and I was going to have to wait till/if it connected again.

I am on Vista and keep all the Windows Updates up to date.

Which channels should I be changing it to? I've tried 3 and although 13 was fairly stable for a few days it just wouldn't hold the connection tonight.

Wammer

dispossessed wrote: »

The general idea with inSSIDer in this application is to see whether their are other networks on the same channel that could account for your WiFi set up dropping out.

In terraced houses, flats or other built up areas it is not impossible that others are using the very channels you've switched to. InSSIDer enables you to view who's on what channel and make any further changes forearmed with this info (among other things).

Obviously, it could well be that your problems have nothing to do with which channel you're on and, as you've switched twice this would begin to incline one towards other causes. However it is a good place from which to start the troubleshooting process as, quite often switching channels is all you need to do to resolve the problem.

Trevor

It's a bungalow and not a very built up area. I would occasionally "see" another security enabled network, but sometimes there was no other connection visible.

I also have a laptop and netbook on wireless and have no problems with those keeping the connection.

debitcardmayhem

Do you use windows to control the wireless USB connection or Sweex utility , I admit I am not famililar with Sweex but i know that my railink wireless worked better (if that was the word) using Vista management rather than the proprietary utility.
Also if you change the channel use one of the other machines (straws clutching at

Wammer

I used Windows. I'm not aware of having a Sweex utility.