Problem Solved!!! Anyone else having problems with the Speedstream 2624?

[Madpup]

I am having HUGE problems with this thing. I upgraded the firmware and it still "drops" the remote computers constantly. They have NO tech support whatsoever. I have a system with a PCI card that can't find the network from two rooms and thirty feet away!

I'm looking to see if anyone else is having a similar problem, and, if they might have found a solution for it.

I have solved the problem! And I did it without the help of Speedstream customer support!
In the hopes of saving other people countless hours of frustration, I offer the following:

Problem:

The PCI adapter lights are glowing, but, XP won't recognize the adapter.
Both the PC Card and PCI adapters are either constantly dropping connections or cannot find the router at all.

The problem is not the wireless router, it is a conflict between the Siemens Speedstrem wireless NIC devices and their connection manager software and Windows. As best I can tell, if you install via the Siemens CD ROM you will get the incorrect driver. I'm not sure if it is XP or Speedstream that is causing the problem , but, I did not have the aforementioned problem with a Linksys PC card wireless adapter

The solution is as follows:

1. Remove the adapter and reboot.

2. Download the correct software for your adapter from the www.speedstream.com download site. Be VERY careful and get the exact driver for your version of that model number. For example, there are two versions of the SS1024 driver and they will not work with the wrong adapter.

3. Install the driver by "double clicking" the zip file. The system will then install their connection manager and unzip the drivers to a folder on your C: directory.

4. Uninstall the Siemens connection manager software and drivers. This will leave the correct driver files in the C: root directory, but, uninstall them from the system.

5. Install the network adapter and reboot.

6. When XP asks you for the location of the driver, browse to the directory in C:\ and select it.

7. From then on, use Windows XP to manage your connection.

 

[Waterskier1]

Yes, I have the same wireless router, and I have had wierd, intermintent problems. I have only used it for maybe 10 hours, off and on, but have lots signal strength with it only 3 feet away, and not moved from when it was working fine with excellent strength. I have only the one computer on wireless right now, so I don't know if it's the router, the PCMCIA card, or something else. I have noticed that the LinkSys (the PCMCIA card mfgr) utility will say no connection, but I'm still downloading. So, just yet, I can't blame any specific component. I'll be interested in seeing what others have to say.

 

[ktwebb]

I've had my 2624 for about 8 months now. Solid as a Rock. Rebooted the thing a few times but generally I have been pleasantly suprised at how reliable it is. I'd look at your client devices as source of the trouble if you haven't already. Perhaps RMA the speedstream if you are sure that is the culprit. No matter what Mfg, if your buying a SOHO routing/wireless device, there is going to be a failure rate percentage from the factory. There cheap as hell, both literally and figuratively.

 

[Abzstrak]

I've had one for a few months now, they sent it to me to replace the POS 2623. I have yet to have an issue with it or a reason to reboot it. Its used about 6 hours a day minimum.

 

[Waterskier1]

Ok, this morning I have no wireless. I have tried rebooting the laptop several times, and also the Speedstream. When the SpeedStream starts up, the Wireless light flashes slowly, then increases, then becomes steady. I'm using a LanSys PCMCIA Card. When I power up the laptop, this card's Power light comes on steady, but the Link light continues to flash. I'm new to wireless, and have not noticed if flashing is normal, or not. Can anyone give me any ideas on how to trobleshoot this? When I started it up the very first time, everything came on, without me having to do any additional manual software changes. I have not changed anything. The laptop is normally about 6' away, but I have put it within a foot of the SpeedStream, and no change in anything. Without having another known working wireless card (I hate to buy one just to troubleshoot), is there a way of determining if it's the SpeedStream or the PCMCIA card? I'm getting quite frustrated with this, and about ready to breakout my 25' Cat 5 Cable again. Thanks for any help/suggestions.

 

[Abzstrak]

the only way to figure out which it is is to test them indepently. Take your lappy to a friends or something and test it on another AP, or test another known good pcmcia card in your laptop with your AP.

Andmadpup, you said that speedstream has no tech support, however I called them numerous times when I had the 2623... they have 24 hour live tech support, and were very helpful


and for anyone having wireless problems, try changing your channel up or down by 5 to sufficiently change the frequency used in case it is RF interference.

 

[Madpup]

Absztrak

They made some changes in their tech support recently. Now there is no option that will get you a live body....it is just a menu with voice messages that direct you to their web page knowledge base.

I am now up to my third e-mail to these folks with no hope of an RMA.

I have come to the conclusion that in lieu of an RMA, I am going to buy another one from Office Depot, swap the non working one for the new one and return it as defective. At least Siemens will get the bad one back and I will get a new one. (I stupidly threw the box away after I got it working with my wife's laptop}

 

[JackMDS]

A shut in the dark.

After you flash firmware the SpeedSrtream Setting changes to new defaults.

If you run the setup you can see that it comes with a menu entry that is checked to
disconnected if idle more then 15min.

I unchecked the entry to make sure that it is not disconnecting.

There are few more entries that can create difficulties in variety of systems.
You have to go over the menu and set every thing correctly according to your system.

I am using a 2624 for a while, I like it. Very good wireless power, and a lot
of up-to-date capacities

 

[Waterskier1]

I've searched for 2 days, and I can not find any firmware updates, nor can I find any menu to check or uncheck for "disconnect time". Could you be more specific as to where you found these? I am kinda new to this, so only searched the manufacturer's website, and the enclosed documentation on the CD. Thanks for your help. BTW, I never did get connection on Saturday. I thought this would be good, since troubleshooting interminent problems can be really difficult. But, it started working Sunday....sitting 2 feet apart, the "signal strength" varied from about 32% to 100%. It seemed when I started used the link the signal strength increased, and if I was working locally (not exchanging data on the network) it would decrease. This was not gradual, and could jump for 100% to 32% or vice versa in a second. So, now I'm back to looking for someone to lend me another PCMCIA card, to see if it acts the same way.
Thanks for all the help!!

 

[JackMDS]

Unfortunately the SpeedStream is in another location. I do not think that I will be there before coming Sat.

If memory does not fail me. Click on the top entry that says Setup Wizard (or a similar expression). At the second or third menu there should be a ?Disconnect if idle? check box.