Wireless Connection Issue

Question

My wireless connection involves a Motorola Cable Modem wired to a Linksys BEFSR41 wired router connected to a Linksys Wireless Access Point WAP54G providing a wireless signal to a laptop using a Linksys 802.11G PCMIA network adapter.  This has been running without problems until a few days ago.  I had this laptop with me on a trip and had connected to wireless networks in several hotels and at a relative's home.  The problem started when I returned home.   The laptop with the network adapter will connect effortlessly to a nearby neighbor's unsecured wireless network with a very, very weak signal and maintain the connection indefinitely.  The laptop will not connect to my wireless network.  It senses the network with maximum signal strength and tries to establish the connection but will eventually time out without indicating a successful connection.  This is indicated by an X'd out computer icon in the system tray.  Sometimes it will get to the 'acquiring IP address' mode but most often just quits trying to connect at all.  Oddly, the laptop will connect to the internet in this 'not connected' condition for brief periods of time before dropping out.   I have reset the WAP to factory defaults and then set it up again, with no change in connectivity.  I am currently running the wireless network without WEP or WPA security settings, which I have successfully used in the past on this setup.

volcano11 · Answer

Since it will connect with other routers and other wireless networks, it sounds like your WAP is the problem.  Have you considered replacing the wired router and the WAP with a new wireless router?   Steve

jlmurphy · Answer

Thanks for the response.    A new router is on my list to fix the problem, but I was hoping to sort it out without going there quite yet.  With the N wireless protocol almost decided on, I would hate to get another G when I would probably want to upgrade to N.

volcano11 · Answer

Why would you be considering the non-standard N router?  Do you anticipate a need for greater range?  If it is for the increased speed, why bother.  It is unlikely that you internet connection even approaches the 54 Mbps speed of G, and therefore a higher speed N router offers no advantage.  It is only useful if you frequently transfer numerous large files between computers on the local network.   Steve

jlmurphy · Answer

Update on this issue:  Linksys recommends not upgrading the firmware for their devices unless you are having a problem.  I decided this issue is a problem and downloaded and installed the updated firmware for the WAP54G.  Once going through the setup pages, I tried to reconnect and it worked . . . but - when the laptop was moved to another room at the limit of the reception, connection was lost and could not be reestablished even when moving back into close proximity to the WAP.  Beginning to look more and more like some un-fixable issue with the WAP.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Was this post helpful?