Wireless Network Troubles

[Veros]

I've recently gotten a wireless router and a wireless card to create a network. Initially it was working but then the wireless connection stopped working. The card IS connecting to the router but it doesn't STAY connected. In the status display it indicates that while the signal strengh is perfect, the link quality is jumping from 0-100%. I'm using a D-Link 614+ wireless router and a D-Link 520+ card. There are 2 computers on the network, a 800MHz Celeron with a D-Link 528 PCI Ethernet card running Win 98 and a 2Ghz P4 running Windows XP. In the router settings I have all the WAN/LAN information entered correctly, such as my ISP providers DNS server, gateway, etc. and the Celeron works fine. On the XP system the automatic IP configuration keeps getting a 169.XXX.XXX.XXX ip address, 169.254.221.240 specfically, when I change the Netbios setting from default, otherwise it says "invalid ip address". If there is any more info that you might need to help solve my problem just ask.

[Greenstead]

That sounds strange.

You should have the LAN DHCP server on in the router. And the wireless card properties set to 'get an IP address automatically'.
Reboot the router and the XP PC.

Do you have XP with SP1?

For more info you might (on the XP PC) go to command prompt and type
Ipconfig /all > file.txt

Open the file (it might be on the desktop or in your documents folder) and paste the contents here.

[Veros]

Well I've gotten the information you requested, however the wireless card decided to not work today and isn't attempting a connection. As for XP, it is Service Pack 1. I already have the DHCP server enabled and set the card to obtain an IP address automatically. I've tried rebooting the router and the XP system but it didn't work.

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : XP

Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :

Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcast

IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected

Description . . . . . . . . . . . : D-Link AirPlus DWL-520+ Wireless PCI Adapter

Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-40-05-C6-75-2E

[Greenstead]

It has the same status as a wired NIC which is not plugged in. If you have the icon in the bottom right it probably says 'a network cable is unplugged'.

I'm not sure what is the problem. You could try some checks (you may have already done these):
- Check the SSID is the same in the router and the card wireless properties.
- Check WEP is disabled in router and card.
- In the card General properties check TCP/IP is checked.
- In the Card wireless properties check it is set to 'Use Windows to configure my wireless network.
- In the Card wireless properties click Advanced and check it is set to Access Point only.
- In the card Advanced properties check ICF is off.
- Change the wireless channel in the router to the other end of the scale i.e. if currently 1 change it to 11. (The card should track it without you changing it).
- Check there are no bridges in Network connections (delete any).
- Make sure the router is not near a large metal object like a filing cabinet.
- Check MAC authentication is off in the router.
- You might try a hard reset on the router (a small button somewhere). Then re-enter the router configuration.

Reboot the PC after changes.

Lots of guesswork, but something might hit the mark.
If all of that looks OK check D-Link's website for the latest router firmware. Ditto for the card. There is another thread in this forum somewhere with a person with the same router had to get the latest firmware.

Any improvement ?


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[Veros]

I've already done all the things on your list except the following:
set to use Windows to configure my wireless network, check it is set to Access Point only, check MAC authentication is off in the router and change the wireless channel in the router to the other end of the scale. I'm going to do these ones now. I'll have a reply soon on whether they were succesful. As for upgrading the firmware I'll try that last.

[Veros]

The MAC authentication was already off and the two settings in the wireless card properties weren't there. However when I changed the channel the card started to connect normally again and the internet is working.

Domo arigato.

[Greenstead]

Domo arigato ?