Windows XP and wifi

drobe

I have a Packard Bell Easynote E2560 laptop running Windows XP which has suddenly decided to stop connecting to my Virginmedia superhub router via wifi, unless I disable windows XP firewall and my router's security.


It works OK using a network cable, just not using wifi.


I am using a Belkin USB adapter 7d 1102.


When I try to connect I get it connecting, disconnecting, connecting disconnecting and so on but it will not permanently connect.


I reinstalled all the network and wifi software to no avail.


Any suggestions, given that it worked OK until Wednesday?

closed

system restore or re enter the encryption key, and check there is no interference from video senders, microwaves etc

drobe

system restore or re enter the encryption key, and check there is no interference from video senders, microwaves etc

That had already been done before I even posted on here.

closed

Sorry, my psychic plug-in doesn't seem to be working.

somersethillbilly

Have you tried it using the Wireless Zero Configuration Service (XP's) rather than the Belkin version. I never use the third party software, Windows seems to do a better job.

http://www.belkin.com/us/support-article?articleNum=10776

Gillor

I had similar problems a couple of years ago with a Belkin network adaptor - can't remember the model number as I no longer have it.

It was the Belkin software that caused all the trouble and if I recall I managed to get everything working by just installing the Belkin drivers and not the Belkin software.

Unplug the network adaptor and remove all traces of the Belkin software via Control Panel>Add/Remove programmes

Plug the adapter back into a USB Port.

When prompted by Windows select the Belkin CD as the place from which to install the drivers. Don't select the Belkin software if it appears on your monitor, just exit to get rid of it - it's only the Belkin Drivers you are trying to install and once they are in place you should be good to go.

Sorry if the instructions are a little imprecise but as I said it was some time ago and I'm trying to do it from memory without XP.

Incidentally, although I got it to work I still found the Belkin adaptor unreliable which is one of the reasons I swapped it for a Netgear.

If you find that on occasions you have no network connnection when switching on your computer, even though everything has been working ok previously, try pulling the adaptor out and putting it back in back again - not sure how scientific this is but it seemed to work for me.

drobe

One of life's little mysteries.


Today after starting the laptop it connects to the wifi.


Nothing has changed, other than posting on here asking about it.


The power of MSE forums.

Gillor

Not so much a mystery, more like the cr*ppy Belkin adapter.

robatwork

Another one chalked up to "turning it off and on again"

and again.

drobe

Another one chalked up to "turning it off and on again"

and again.

and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again.

It stopped working again.

So I did the only logical thing, unplugged it and threw it in the bin.

I have ordered a new adapter from Amazon.

debitcardmayhem

somersethillbilly wrote: »

Have you tried it using the Wireless Zero Configuration Service (XP's) rather than the Belkin version. I never use the third party software, Windows seems to do a better job.

http://www.belkin.com/us/support-article?articleNum=10776

Have you tried this, especially if you have updated to XP service pack 3. Also XP used to be a git with channels over 11 , which channel is your router using ? US based chipsets never work with channels higher than 11 the yanks only seemed to use 1-11, some routers in the UK choose channels based on contention so yours may be flipping to 12/13, but hey-ho just trying to eliminate possible causes.