Extremely strange wireless router problem

[joshc]

So I just came back home from a holiday trip and all of a sudden my wireless router is giving me hell. My router is a linksys BEFW11S4 and I have 3 PCs running win xp SP2 and all are having the same problem.

THe problem is that my computers don't detect any wireless networks. So I took my laptop right up to the router and my laptop connects to the network and then disconnects and then connects and so on. When it connects, however, it says "no signal" and speed is "2.0 mbps". Also, even though it says connected I can't access the router config page or anything else. If I use one of the wired ports on the router I can access the internet. Linksys tech support tried having me change the channel from 6 to 11 but no luck.

Another strange tidbit is that I later changed the SSID from the default "linksys" to something else but when my laptop would detect the router it would still show up as SSID "linksys".

Do you think maybe my router is just physically bad? If you have any ideas I'd really appreciate it.

 

[ScottMac]

Mabe your neighboe got a LInksys router too, and was also too (Lazy | Unconcerned) to change the default SSID.

That would confuse the clients and cause the symptoms you describe.(among other possibilities).


FWIW

Scott

 

[mdcrab]

Any bad lightning storms in your area while on your holiday trip?

I think ScottMac is correct, if SSID is still showing as "linksys" after changing on router.

mdcrab

 

[joshc]

It's not a neighbor's router because my closest neighbor is way too far so the signal wouldn't get near me. I actually chatted with one of Linksys' liveagents online for a while but they just said change the channel, reboot, upgrade firmware, etc. but nothing useful. Networking is not my specialty so I thought maybe some experts may have some clues. As for a lightning storm it is possible but my router was unplugged while I was away.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: joshc
It's not a neighbor's router because my closest neighbor is way too far so the signal wouldn't get near me. I actually chatted with one of Linksys' liveagents online for a while but they just said change the channel, reboot, upgrade firmware, etc. but nothing useful. Networking is not my specialty so I thought maybe some experts may have some clues. As for a lightning storm it is possible but my router was unplugged while I was away.

well actually their advice is the best. sounds like you have interferrance.

change channels (1, 6, 11), don't use default SSID are pretty much the normal route.

hardcode the client to a specific, determied SSID as wall. Not just what the computer "sees"

 

[joshc]

The reason I said their advice was not useful was because I tried it and it didn't change a thing. Interference was the first thing on my mind but seeing as nothing has changed in my house and prior to leaving for vacation I had great range and no problems with the router interference seemed unlikely. Furthermore, when sitting a foot away from the router and windows saying I'm connected but with "no signal" this really stumped me. I was trying this in a room with just my router and my laptop and no other wireless devices.

 

[cruzer]

Connect to the router with an old fashioned cable... if it works with no problems, then it is interference from something or the transmitter in the router has died.
Also consider buying a larger antenna that linksys sells:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833124155

 

[gtd2000]

The first wireless router that I ever used was a M$ MN500 and it worked intermittently.

You could surf all night long then try to check your email at the breakfast table and no connection was available.

The same evening everything was back to normal and this went on for days....

After numerous calls to tech support (mostly in India) I was better versed in setting up the wireless router than M$ (or it appeared that way to me...).

One day I called tech support and fortunately got through to a local US based support line who then just sent a new router out and that was the problem solved.

 

[joshc]

Originally posted by: cruzer
Connect to the router with an old fashioned cable... if it works with no problems, then it is interference from something or the transmitter in the router has died.
Also consider buying a larger antenna that linksys sells:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833124155

Yeah like I said connecting to one of the 10/100 ports on the back works just fine. I suspected maybe the transmitter died, just didn't know if that was unheard of or not.

 

[spidey07]

well if you reset it to factory defaults and setup a wide open client connection and still no go.

Could be bad hardware. It happens...just not that often.

 

[Rottie]

did you disable "Wireless Network Access" (under wireless tab) to allow your laptop?

 

[casper114]

Originally posted by: Rottie
did you disable "Wireless Network Access" (under wireless tab) to allow your laptop?

You shouldn't have to do that to use the ethernet ports on the back, I use my ports and wireless simoltaniously.

 

[Rottie]

Originally posted by: casper114

Originally posted by: Rottie
did you disable "Wireless Network Access" (under wireless tab) to allow your laptop?

You shouldn't have to do that to use the ethernet ports on the back, I use my ports and wireless simoltaniously.

I wouldn't use Wireless Network Access if I am using ethernet port but I have wireless laptop I have to use it as part as MAC filtering.