My wireless connection keeps dropping out..help!!

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Had same problem. Think I fixed it (touchwood)

by Jason83 Dec 27, 2005 4:23AM PST

I had this problem same router too. Maybe just a coincidence. It was very odd for me though. Every few minutes the laptop dropped the connection to the network, but still had internet access(!)
I am assuming you have some sort of security on your wireless network (WEP WPA etc). If not, then the following advice is of no use. If you have, then read on.
Windows XP is poor at saving WEP keys. Basically if:

(a)you get it wrong when you set the connection up, then go into the connections properties to change the key

or

(b)decide to enable security after the initial setup, then try and add the Key into the properties for the connection,
Windows does not save the new key. I have had similar issues with Outlook express accounts not saving properties when modified in the past too. If you have WEP enabled on your network, the best thing I found was to:

1)Open NETWORK CONNECTIONS from CONTROL PANEL
2)Right click on the connection and select PROPERTIES.
3)There should be a tab for WIRELESS NETWORKS.
4)Find your network by name near the bottom and click REMOVE.
5)Click ADD then you will need to enter your network information manually in the window that pops up. You will need to uncheck the box that says "My key is provided automatically"

SSID is the network name.
NETWORK KEY - This is the important one. get it wrong and click OK and when you go back in to modify it Windows screws up and saves it wrong. You can enter network keys in ASCII (typed letters) or the HEX that the router converts the key into. 5 ASCII/10 Hex is for 64 bit, 13 ASCII / 26 HEX is for 128 bit. Your key must be one of these 2 lengths.

All being well, when you click ok your connection will connect in the blink of an eye, and remain stable.
Mine has been stable for 1.5 hrs since I did this, with no drops at all, and it seems to have cured the problem. Hope it helps you too. I know what a pain in the *** it is trying to find an answer on the net!! Hope this is the one that fixes your problem.

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Having same problem... are you still?

by B-Bopp Dec 29, 2005 7:06AM PST

I'd be interested in any follow-up on this issue. My connection is also dropping every few hours. (I also have a Linksys WRT54G, and also run XP.) Although my ISP allows only one computer to access the account, I set up the wireless router LAN and both computers are able to get on. But every few hours, the connection is dropped. If I try to repair the connection, I cannot get a new IP address issued. If I power cycle the modem and turn everything back on, it is up and running again.

I have just cloned the MAC address of the original PC assigned to the modem. I have yet to see if it works. But wouldn't a problem with my ISP mean that I wouldn't be able to connect at all?

So, if you have any follow up to your own problems, I'd be interested to hear.

Thanks!

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WiFi Connection Dropping

by Jason83 Jan 1, 2006 6:57AM PST

Have you tried unchecking the box 'Enable IEEE 802.1x authentication'. This can be found by:

1) Access Network Connections through the control panel.
2) Right click the connection for your wireless adaptor and select properties.
3)Click the authetication tab in the new window.
4)The box you want is the top checkbox. Uncheck it.

I read that once someone did this it cured the issue. They managed to get this out of Linksys themselves. This box needs to be unchecked, as it only worked with it checked on the older routers with older firmware. The routers that ship now have a firmware version that requires this box to be unchecked to work. The guy didn't say why this was, but try it. I'm sure I probaby changed this setting when I was frantically trying to cure the problem, and it is likely to be the setting that cured it.

GOOD LUCK!!

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Thanks

by wcehman Nov 1, 2007 11:16AM PDT

You fix of removing and installing the adapter did the trick

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idk

by alxheimerman Nov 16, 2010 9:06AM PST

i don't think its just a coincidence i have the same router and its drops to.

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Re: My wireless connection keeps dropping out..help!!

by SunderlandFan Jan 1, 2006 1:09AM PST

Check this thread, my response is in there. Hope it helps.

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-7589-0.html?forumID=62&threadID=126523&messageID=1431644

SF

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Similar problem fixed

by pioneer5555 Mar 27, 2009 10:25AM PDT

Hi, I had a very similar problem. My laptop had a 802.11b card in it and my router was broadcasting 802.11b and g. When I changed the router to 802.11b "ONLY" it worked a treat. Works fine now. I had been pulling my hair out for years.

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SAME PROBLEM

by jamusaf Dec 2, 2009 7:30AM PST

I have a NETGEAR G router and every time I use my wireless home phone my internet drops off.
Does anybody know what's going on with it ???

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Collision

by Ravan1134 Jan 1, 2011 4:13AM PST

Your home phone, microwave, and wireless router work on the same wave so if they are too close together they can interrupt each other. I was having the same problem and every time the phone rang or I used the microwave it would knock me off the internet. You can either:

a.) Move your router farther way from these devices to avoid interference or
b.) Spend a couple more bucks and get a dual band router so when one band is interfered by the microwave or the home phone the router will switch to another band to avoid interference.

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Common Problem

by genya2010 Apr 19, 2011 6:02AM PDT

This will happen to alot of wireless device.

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