1390 adaptor/ netgear WPNT834

Question

I have 5 computers on my network and that doesn't include my Tivo. I never have more than 3 or 4 of the machines on simultaneously. I cannot get my 1390 card to maintain a connection with the wireless network.

I've tried:

-updating the 1390 drivers
-updating the router firmware
-blowing away all profiles on the client and reconfiguring a single profile
-rebooting the network, the computer, the network AND the computer
-sacrificing several live chickens to the voodoo wireless gods

Nothing has improved things. I use WEP security on the router, and cannot run without the security. I've noticed that my 1390 works fine (or significantly better) when I use the laptop on public (unsecured) hotspots around town. Its just at home where I'm forced to use a wire to get online. This is inconvenient to me; hinders my work habits.

Anyone have any suggestions on what else I might try?

volcano11 · Answer

When you say you can't maintain a connection, does this mean that you initially get one, but it goes away? Have you tried temporarily disabling the WEP encryption and see if that improves the situation? Have you tried changing the channel that your router uses (to 1 or 11) to see if that improves things. I think you will be better off eating the chickens.

Steve

Message Edited by volcano11 on 03-01-2007 04:33 PM

jkaplanSIQ · Answer

yes, I say 'maintain' connection, because I can frequently after much manipulation get the green bars, connect and get an IP address. however, generally after between 1 and 5 minutes I get the message saying that the wireless connection has 'limited connectivity' and a little exclamation icon on the wireless icon. Other times I will simply lose the green bars entirely and then have to wait around for the green bars to come back.

Usually using the 'repair' connection option will result in a failure or the green bars will come back--with each possibility equally possible.

I haven't tried taking the WEP off...thats something I can try. I also haven't tried changing the channel. It seems to be defaulting to 1 currently. I will try setting it to 11 or something else.

Thanks for the ideas!

kirkd · Answer

The 1390 (and the Intel) wireless cards have given many Dellites problems. Some things that have helped:

Make sure the SSID on the router is on. I can't get mine to stay on, so I had to manually add the router name to the 1390. The router was initially seen by the card, but the card claimed it was not broadcasting. Adding the name made it work

Disable the LAN on the portable.

Set the card to Channel 11.

In the card configuration tab in Device Manager, change Fragmentation Threshold from 2346 to 2306. Change RTS Threshold from 2347 to 2304.

Remove any 2,4 MHz portable phones.

All these helped me on speed. I will also occasionally get the loss of connection that you described.

My main problem is connection speed; it's very erratic. Found that using my old Netgear router (which stopped working in LAN mode, but OK for wireless) was significantly better than my current Belkin.

Google on the problem. You will find lots of other possibilities.

New info:

Just went back and retested setting the router to other channels. I must have done something wrong previously, as now setting to Channel 1, I am getting nearly full speed performance, measured by Elwell's Speed Test, 1.3-1.4 Mbit/sec. With System Mechanic, getting 1.55 Mbit/sec.

Don't give up. These Dell supplied cards are difficult, but not impossible.

Dimension 9100, Win XP, 3.0 GHz P4, 2 GB DDR2 533 MHz RAM, 160 GB SATA II Samsung, 300 GB SATA II Seagate, 250 GB SimpleTech USB (WD Drive), Nvidia Go 6800 (425/825 MHz), Dell 1901 FP UltraSharp

Inspiron E1705, Win Vista Premium, T7200 Core 2 Duo (4MB, 2.0 GHz 667MHz), 1 GB DDR2 677 MHz RAM, 2 GB SanDisk SD RamBoost, 120 GB Samsung HD, Nvidia Go 7900 GS, 17” UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-Screen WUXGA

Message Edited by KirkD on 03-02-2007 01:06 AM

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

1390 adaptor/ netgear WPNT834

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