Need help regarding wireless connection

[raelin]

Hi all,

Honestly I am not really computer savvy, so hope you all can forgive all my layman terms. Anyway, I've been experiencing this problem with my home wireless connection. You see, everytime i try to sample or stream an audio or video online, my connection gets cut off. This happens with websites like amazon.com, cduniverse.com, whether I use windows media player or realplayer to stream the audios. I tried to view clips on UPN.com too and the same problem occured.

It's a wireless cable connection, using linksys. I usually let windows manage my wireless device. But I also tried to used Intel PROset to manage it. Same problem either way. My guess is there is a problem when the clips are connecting via my media players. Coz the players will indicate that they are connecting to the site, then the connection dies. Each time this happens, this green light on my linksys router goes off. The words below this light says "Wireless-B".

I have 2 desktops and 1 laptop at home connected to this network. However, this problem only persists in my laptop. I am using zonealarm. Thinking this might be the problem, I have shut it down, but this did not work either. I've set zonealarm to allow these websites. No help there.

I've never had this problem before, but the past 2-3weeks have been like that. I have no idea what to do. I use my laptop on my desk.and I occasionally carry it around my house and use it on my lap, but that is only for a while. Hmm.. I have brought it to school to use on the sch's wireless LAN. But it has worked before; no problems then.Can anyone help me? Would really appreciate any help. Thank you!!!

[Smidley]

My Linksys wireless cut-offs ceased after I implemented some security: 64-bit WEP and a MAC filter.

What model router do you have? Assuming it's similar to mine, here's what you should do:

These options are available in the router's web-based configuration. Open your browser and enter "192.168.1.1" without the quotes into the address bar. The default username is blank. Consult the manual for the default password or PM me.

When changing these options, follow the manual if you don't know what you're doing.

[raelin]

Ok I have some problems doing this. For the MAC filter, do I have to key in the MAC addresses of the pcs/laptops that will be using this wireless network? Coz I tried to key them in, and it pretty much prevented me from connecting completely. I took that out and did the 64-bit WEP. It seemed alright, but when I tried to connect from my laptop or the pc that is on the wireless network, what came back was a low or no connectivity. Do you know what is wrong?

[Smidley]

For the MAC filter, you should be able to choose whether the addresses you enter are not allowed at all or are the only ones allowed.

It's strange that you would get low connectivity when using WEP. Are you positive you set it up correctly?

You may need to install updated network drivers, but I doubt it.

Also, in case you didn't know, the first step in troubleshooting home routers is to cut the power to the router, wait a minute, then plug it back in. You should try this if you're sure you set up WEP correctly, but you're getting low connectivity.

[Smidley]

Wait. You need to clarify something first. Are you getting a low signal strength or "Limited or No Connectivity" (network icon in the system tray has a yellow moving dot)?

If it's the latter, you probably haven't set up WEP correctly. When you first tried to connect, did it automatically recognize the wireless network and ask you for your WEP key?

[raelin]

I will check out the MAC filter again.

Yeah I did the plug out and plug in thing, but this did not help the connectivity. I am getting the former signal. It is a low signal strength (sorry about the mistake). It did automatically detect the wireless network and prompted me for the WEP key. I keyed it in and then i got this low signal indication. (with a yellow circle and exclamation mark on it).

[Smidley]

Hmm...

Without being there, the only other thing I can suggest is to update your network drivers. For your PC, these would be the drivers for the wireless PCI card, and they should be available at the manufacturer's website.

For the laptop, they should be available at the laptop manufacturer's website.

Hopefully, someone more network savvy will come along to help you.

[GroundZero3]

Dont bother with MAc address filtering, i had problems with disconnects when its enabled and honestly its a useless feature thats a pain in the buttocks.

WEP/WPA is pretty much all you need. (if security is a huge issue, wireless wasnt the way to go in the first place )