Wireless network keep cutting out

[imported_Phil]

Hi all,

I work for a certain very large PC superstore in the Kent area, UK (I'm sure UK folks know who I'm talking about..."where in the world...") and we're trying to get a wireless network going in the store, won't bore you with why.

Machine A is a new PC which is connected to the internal store network (Cat5->wall) and goes from there to the 2Mbit ADSL line and the corporate intranet. High-spec, running WinXP Home, with one of these wireless adaptors.

Machine B is a WindowsME machine (for testing purposes, I hate ME, argh!), also high-spec, with also one of these adaptors.

I've got the LAN & Wireless connections bridged in WinXP so that the ME machine can not only get on the 'net, but the intranet too. It works fine for about five minutes, then the connection cuts out (no more data received by B), a reboot sorts it out.
I've eliminated Machine B by trying a WinXP Home laptop, that also cuts out after about five minutes connected. The connection still shows that it's active, but no more data is being received by machine B.

I called netgear tech support (a tech calling tech support, how humiliating...!), the French (sigh, this took a looong time) guy said to try hopping to another Channel and dropping the transmission rate to 5.5Mbps from 11Mbps. However, you can't do this under WinXP because only the drivers are needed and therefore are only installed. On ME or under, the utility is installed which means you can change channels and speed etc.

So- how can I get Machine A's connection settings changed as I can't use the netgear program? Also, why the hell is the connection screwing up after about five minutes data transfer? It can't be the distance, as the two machines are about thirty feet away, with only a glass partition between the two, which really shouldn't be messing things up, as the laptop I tested was *next to* Machine A when testing. Changing the data rate shouldn't be the fix, as it's set on Auto anyway (have tried it with 11Mbps).

If anyone could help, I'd be so grateful,

Thanks,

Dopefiend

 

[Soybomb]

A couple things come to mind. First you're attaching wireless gear to your store intranet. This could be a massive security hole so be sure you know the potential implications for it. That aside bestbuy did this here a while back for mobile cash register stands that connect via wireless and eventually got reamed by the media for it.

It comes down to personal preference but I don't like running cards in ad-hoc mode. Its just never worked slick all of the time for me. Plug a real access point into the lan, try a couple different channels, and see what happens. There could be alot of RF bouncing around in whats probably a big metal building that going to create interference and make it harder to get a clean signal. I think you could find something on the other channels though.

 

[imported_Phil]

Sonybomb: all good points, although our sister Canterbury store has Intel adaptors, which work fine, 24/7 (sigh).

Also, we've got the 128-bit encryption turned on, invented a 23-character hex key to use with it

I hear what you're saying about the big metal building though; however, like I said, the range is a clear 20-or-so feet, and the amount of signal reflection must be pretty low. The Status window shows that the signal is at around 80-95% most of the time.

I wonder if a mobile phone's causing it to mess up....?

Dopefiend

 

[oniq]

Why can't you just download the netgear software?

Are there any 2.4ghz phones in the area?

 

[imported_Phil]

No, there's no 2.3Ghz phones in the area, the only phones except mobiles and landlines are those phones that work just inside the store, like a mobile phone but for store use only. Thing is, they use them at Canterbury too and their wireless network works fine... :-/

Oh and as for the software, believe me, I've tried, but it doesn't get installed on WinXP because XP has built-in wireless config stuff which doesn't unfortunately provide the channel/speed/fragmentation threshold settings that the Netgear software does. I've tried to get it installed many times, but it always skips over it because the installer has been told that XP doesn't need it.

Anyone actually using these (or similar) adaptors that can offer some help? Getting desperate now...!

Dopefiend