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Laptop will not make consistent wireless connection to router

WhipperSnapper

WhipperSnapper

Lifer
At my parents' house, I've been having difficulty getting my laptop to connect to an older Netgear router. I try different things and sometimes it connects. I can then turn off the laptop and reboot it and it won't make a new connection.

The laptop has Vista Home Premium and it always sees the router which is broadcasting at "excellent strength" according to the laptop.

---------------------

Current router settings:

Enable Wireless Access Pont (check)
Allow Broadcast of name (SSID) (check)

Security Encryption (WEP) ? Shared Key, encryption strength 128 bit. (There?s a 26 digit key).

WAN SETUP Page:

Connect Automatically as Required (check)
Disable SPI Firewall (not checked)
Default DMZ Server (not checked)
Respond to Ping on Internet Port (not checked)
MTU in size (bytes) ---- 1500

Use Router as DHCP Server (not checked)

[EDIT] Turning on DHCP allowed me to connect but speeds seem very slow.

[EDIT] Router is a cheap, old bottom of the line Netgear that only has b-grade wireless.



 

Is it possible that the router itself might be dying (other people have complained about the wireless speeds) or that the wireless card in my laptop is bad?
 
Are there any firmware updates for the router? Have you tried using the reset button and setting the system from scratch using default setting e.g. dont use any security until you know the hardware is working a minimal setup then add your security and any other setting to the router you wanted. If it doesnt work your probably not setting it up properly.
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
Change channels on the router to 1, 6, 11. You are most likely suffering from interference.
Click to expand...

Most likely. Some broadcom based routers have issues with firmwares connecting and staying connected to certain Intel based wireless cards, which could be another possibility.
 
Hmm.... If DHCP is Off how the laptop get an IP.

In addition some old Routers are Not fully compatible with Vista and thus yhe Wireless would be Quirky.
 
Yeah. If you don't have another device on the LAN acting as a DHCP server, then you need to ENABLE that option in the router.

Likewise, if you are concerned about slow speeds.. well, if it's only 802.11b, there's your reason. 11Mbits is the theoretical max, in actual application, you will get less.

I recommend replacing the router. Any 802.11g router that supports DD-WRT is a good choice, and I've had good luck recently installing a Trendnet 652 Wireless N (draft 2.0) router. NewEgg had those for $25 but the price has gone up since then. Wireless signal and speed is great on that router though, in a 2-story home of mixed construction.
 
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