DWL-120 -> DI-713p - losing connection?

Psyclone · #1 10-23-2002, 04:13 PM

All,

I recently purchased a DWL-120 to add networking to the PC in my daughters room. I am using it in conjunction with a DI-713P HW:E1 FW 2.57 b5. The machine is Win98 SE, IE 6, all the latest service packs and updates. It is located in the very next room to the AP, one wall in between with less than 20 feet distance.

I installed per the instructions and things seemed to be ok at first. However I am having issues with it frequently dropping the connection to the AP. Most of the time IE just prompts to connect and it will work, however sometimes, it's so confused it won't prompt or anything. During this time, I have power and link but can't connect to the network or the internet.

Something that's not clear to me is, does the configuration utility need to be running to maintain the connection? I do get a connection without it running but I am wondering if the drops are related. And if the connection does drop, I can open the config utility and it will start scanning, find the AP and connect. The readme/help for the DWL-120 seems to indicate that the configuration utility will start with windows, however that's not the case. The only way I gain access to the configuration utility is by manually opening it from the start menu. Do I need to manually add it to my startup folder?

I also noticed last night that the configuration utility did not save my configuration. It did save the ESSID that I entered but I had set preamble to short as the documentation stated that this is the optimal configuration for speed and that long preamble is only needed if you are mixing legacy equipment. What configuration settings, if any can affect this?

Thanks for any help,

-John

Greenstead · #2 10-23-2002, 07:48 PM

I use Netgear wireless with XP so things are a little different to 98. I don't need a config utility because XP has it inbuilt. I do think you should have your utility running and minimised to the system tray. I expect it was an option to start with windows when you installed it but you can add it to startup. I have preamble set to long and I get no problems and see no loss in speed.

However I don't see that explains why connection is being lost.

With the AP being so close it is hard to blame external interference.
Things that can affect the wireless connection and make it fail.
- Digital cordless phones definately
- Microwave oven definately.
- Probably a mobile phone may affect it.
- Wireless video sender definately.
Does she have any of the above in her room.
- A neighbour with a wireless system.

Usually you get round these external problems by changing the channel of the wireless connection. By default it is on 1. Move it up the other end (11 in the US, 13 in the UK). Change it in the AP and the PC should track it and lock on.

Check your aerial is tight on the AP. (Maybe even carefully lift the lid on the box and inspect the connection is good)

Try a hard reset on the router. (A very small button somewhere). You will have to configure it again.

After that declare it defective and take it all back for a refund and get a different model, Linksys or Orinoco or SMC or Netgear are all good.

Good Luck.

Psyclone · #3 10-25-2002, 04:16 PM

Thanks for your suggestions. My daughter doesn't have any of these devices in her room and none of these are in use at the time of the connection drops.

I have added the configuration utility to my startup folder and the drops have stopped, so it appears to have fixed the problem. Whether or not it's needed or not is still up in the air. I'd like to not have to run the configuration utility all the time as it takes up system resources but it looks like my hands are tied at this point.

I sent e-mail to D-link support and they sent me the classic form letter reply, which of course had nothing to do with my question. It was the standard bs of configuring the router for my ISP, blah blah blah. If that was the problem I'd get no connectivity at all on any machine on the network. Oh well I figured I'd roll the dice and contact them. I expected nothing less than what I got.

Unfortunately I bought both items on Ebay and at this point it's less hassle to try and get them to work, which they seem to be, than it is to try to return them.

-John