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2008-08-07 8:46 AM

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Elite
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Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Subject: Wireless Internet Problems

Need Help!

My wireless internet at my apt has appear to stop working.  Yesterday morning it was working fine.  I came to work and it was picking up the wireless internet on campus.  I went home and the internet was not working.  I reset the router by unpluging, didn't work.  I turn off and on the cable modem, didn't work.  I restarted my computer, didn't work.  I tried reinstalling the router in my computer, didn't work.  This morning I was able to connect to my router, it still gets listed in the choices box, but it says not connected and will only work for 2-3 mins before it disconnects me and I have to click on it again.  The little computer at the lower right end of the screen has the red X showing that I am not connected. 

Any suggestions???



2008-08-07 8:52 AM
in reply to: #1587329

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems

Try changing the channel on the router.

From your laptop, view the available wireless networks. Are there any new ones that may be conflicting?

Did you put any service packs or take any OS updates during the day?

2008-08-07 8:59 AM
in reply to: #1587329

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Elite
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Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems

My computer installed some some stuff for adobe, but thats all I can think of.  There are a lot of new wireless internets showing up in the box as new people are moving into surrounding apts.  Mine has stayed the same (linksys).  The only thing that is different is the network protection is gone after I reinstalled the router last night.

How do I change the channel on the router?



Edited by parrj 2008-08-07 8:59 AM
2008-08-07 9:07 AM
in reply to: #1587352

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Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems
parrj - 2008-08-07 9:59 AM

How do I change the channel on the router?




I'm not sure what you mean by "reinstalled the router on my computer"... they are intentionally separate devices.

You'll have to look in your documentation for how to change the channel. That is the physical frequency it uses. Most consumer routers have a small range of frequencies they can choose from so that they can deal with interference from other wireless devices in the area as well as strong magnetic fields like microwaves. Especially in apt buildings, things come and go that cause physical frequency conflicts all the time.
2008-08-07 9:18 AM
in reply to: #1587371

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Elite
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Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems
chadtower - 2008-08-07 10:07 AM
parrj - 2008-08-07 9:59 AM How do I change the channel on the router?

 

I'm not sure what you mean by "reinstalled the router on my computer"... they are intentionally separate devices. You'll have to look in your documentation for how to change the channel. That is the physical frequency it uses. Most consumer routers have a small range of frequencies they can choose from so that they can deal with interference from other wireless devices in the area as well as strong magnetic fields like microwaves. Especially in apt buildings, things come and go that cause physical frequency conflicts all the time.

The router comes with a CD to install on the computer.  It provides step by step instructions for getting your computer to recognize the router.  So that is what I mean by reinstalling.  I just reran the CD that came with the router.

2008-08-07 9:21 AM
in reply to: #1587403

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Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems
parrj - 2008-08-07 10:18 AM

The router comes with a CD to install on the computer. It provides step by step instructions for getting your computer to recognize the router. So that is what I mean by reinstalling. I just reran the CD that came with the router.




Ah, that's just a config CD. It sounds more like you're having a physical RF conflict. The channel could take care of that for you.


2008-08-07 9:22 AM
in reply to: #1587329

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems
Connect wired. See if that works. If not, then connect wired to the modem taking the router away. See if that works.

My MIL had a modem die on her and that took a while to troubleshoot.
2008-08-07 9:25 AM
in reply to: #1587420

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Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems
pitt83 - 2008-08-07 10:22 AM

Connect wired. See if that works. If not, then connect wired to the modem taking the router away. See if that works.

My MIL had a modem die on her and that took a while to troubleshoot.



The modem dying would prevent getting out to the internet but not into the LAN... though the OP didn't specify the difference. If you have only the one client (the laptop) they can look like the same thing.
2008-08-07 9:38 AM
in reply to: #1587329

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems
I thinking its not the LAN, because the computer can still see that as an option.  I guess I can try connecting directly to the modem to see if maybe its the signal getting lost somewhere.
2008-08-07 10:32 AM
in reply to: #1587329

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Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems

You can still see your LAN? That's an entirely different issue, then.

Are you running a physically separate router from your cable modem or are you running a combo modem/router/wireless box? The confusion with these things comes from the term "wireless internet". The internet here isn't wireless - your LAN is wireless. The connection between your LAN and the internet is most likely wired.

2008-08-07 10:40 AM
in reply to: #1587646

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Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems
One, I would change the channel. You should be able to log into your wirless router by a common address, usually http://192.168.1.1. You should probably look up your manual of the wireless router for more details. I would try that while wired with an ethernet cable, and copy that address into the address bar of a browser window.

Two, if that doesn't work, you may have to upgrade the software on your wireless router. My wireless was awful with DSL, constantly dropping me. I upgraded my Netgear software to the latest version and it was fine. CAREFULLY follow directions when doing this.


2008-08-07 10:45 AM
in reply to: #1587329

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Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems

I'd stay away from the firmware except as a last resort. That's something that should be done by someone who knows more about the subject if possible (no disrespect intended). Playing with the firmware can turn his router into a doorstop very easily.
2008-08-07 12:36 PM
in reply to: #1587646

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Elite
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Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems

chadtower - 2008-08-07 11:32 AM You can still see your LAN? That's an entirely different issue, then. Are you running a physically separate router from your cable modem or are you running a combo modem/router/wireless box? The confusion with these things comes from the term "wireless internet". The internet here isn't wireless - your LAN is wireless. The connection between your LAN and the internet is most likely wired.

Sorry, I have a seperate modem and router.  It is not a combo.  Yes, I can still see the LAN when I open the "View Available Wireless Networks."  It comes up as a standard linksys.  Says I have high connectivety, but when I try to connect will attempt then say Not Connected.

2008-08-07 12:52 PM
in reply to: #1588017

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Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems
If you look at available wireless networks, do they have a channel associated with them? Are a few on the same channel as yours?
2008-08-07 12:54 PM
in reply to: #1588076

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Elite
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Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems

eberulf - 2008-08-07 1:52 PM If you look at available wireless networks, do they have a channel associated with them? Are a few on the same channel as yours?

They don't show channel.

2008-08-07 1:49 PM
in reply to: #1587329

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems
Who's your ISP? With ATT, I can get support all the way to the modem over cabled ethernet. Basically, they'll troubleshoot the internet portion of it. While you're on the phone with them, be CERTAIN that your password is what you think it should be. They can expire, hiccup, etc. If you have windows storing your passwords and never input them, it makes it even harder as you never had this problem.

Start with easy stuff. The other suggestion about direct IP to the wireless router is a good idea for diagnostics after you know you have internet and the modem talks to the network.


2008-08-07 2:25 PM
in reply to: #1588202

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Elite
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Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems

pitt83 - 2008-08-07 2:49 PM Who's your ISP? With ATT, I can get support all the way to the modem over cabled ethernet. Basically, they'll troubleshoot the internet portion of it. While you're on the phone with them, be CERTAIN that your password is what you think it should be. They can expire, hiccup, etc. If you have windows storing your passwords and never input them, it makes it even harder as you never had this problem. Start with easy stuff. The other suggestion about direct IP to the wireless router is a good idea for diagnostics after you know you have internet and the modem talks to the network.

I'm with Cox, our local cable company.  They have a bad rep for helping people with problems, but I may have to see.  I changed my password over the summer after my roommates moved out, so the password was new and something easy for me to remember.

2008-08-07 5:48 PM
in reply to: #1587329

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Elite
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Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Subject: RE: Wireless Internet Problems
Ok, I think I'm set up.  Running from the laptop at home right now.  Went in and re-configured the router and is working now.  Thanks for all the help.
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