Wireless problems with Walmart laptop

[kater1]

We bought one of those cheap laptops from Walmart a few weeks back. We have it hooked to our wireless network but it keeps locking up. It has a great signal all the time we use it, but just stops. I have a Linksys router, BEFW11S4. Any clue as to why it would just stop?

laptop specs.

Thanks for the help

Bill

 

[TG2]

What locks up?
the router, the internet access or the whole laptop?

 

[kater1]

Just the laptop. All other computers run fine.

When i say locks up, I mean that it gets nothing from the web or the local network. It can still run apps loaded on the computer.

 

[TG2]

When it locks up, can you ping an internet site?

when its locked up, try ipconfig /release and then ipconfig /renew from a CMD prompt.

 

[kater1]

I haven't tried to ping a site when it is locked up. I do use the Windows "repair" function on the connection screen, This does not help.

I will try and ping a site and /release /renew my connection and see what happens.

 

[JackMDS]

Well cheap or not it might be your configuration rather than the Laptop.

In General you can debug the Network Setting of the computer following these steps.

Step One. Check the Network parameters in the Computer?s Device Manager. Make sure that the drivers are installed correctly; there is No IRQ conflict, and No Ghost installation. http://www.ezlan.net/faq#ghost

Step Two.Verify Basic network setting in the OS: http://www.ezlan.net/Installing#verify
If the above two Steps indicates that every thing looks good but functionally it does not work.

Step Three. Check (and repair if necessary) the Socket Layers, Winsock, and or refresh the TCP/IP Stack. http://www.ezlan.net/clean#refreshnet

If need to Reinstall; Log to this page it have a lot of links to instructions to Windows Network Settings, and Sharing: http://www.ezlan.net/Installing.html.

As for Wireless.

My New Wireless does not work - http://www.ezlan.net/wireless.html

Wireless, Basic Configuration: http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Config.html

Wireless Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html



BTW. The BEFW11S4 is an old 802.11b Wireless that was not so hot even when it was new. Given the current price of 802.11g Wireless Routers, think abot a nice holidays gift.

 

[theslickvik]

lol what do you expect with a walmart laptop :laugh:

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: theslickvik
lol what do you expect with a walmart laptop :laugh:

Hmm... The laptop in question is a Compaq Presario, sold by Walmart.
If memory serves me, well Compaq Presario is not a laughable Brand.:shocked:

Putting aside this specific issue.

My long-term experience on Network related Forums shows that 80% (or more) of complains about hardware is more associated with lack of knowledge about Networking rather than genuine problems with the Hardware.

Moreover, the worse is when it comes to Wireless.:brokenheart:

 

[kater1]

My network is hardwired to the other 4 systems in my home. This is the second laptop I have used with this system, the other worked very well. All systems are manually configed. When the laptop works it works well, it just likes to hang or lock-up.

As Jack said, the router is old and may be time to upgrade. Any suggestions. I like the linksys I have and would like to stay with that brand.

 

[TG2]

Did ipconfig /release and then /renew help at all? ping works or fails?

answers to those would direct you towards either hardware problems (router or laptop) or software problems (laptop)

 

[kater1]

I went into my router setup and changed the channel it was on from 11 to 1 and the lockups have almost quit. I stepped through all the channels and some of them would not even let me connect. It may be interference on the channel I am using.

/release and /renew didn't seem to help

Thanks

Bill