Wireless connection problem

Question

I'm trying to reconnect a Dell Dimension 4600 which has been working fine but has suddenly developed an inability to get an IP address from the router. We are using a Linksys WUSB 11 on quite a long USB cable as the Dell is separated from the router by a few thick walls.

Last week we changed the router from a Thomson 585v7 to a BT HomeHub2. After a bit of wrestling with the encryption password we connected perfectly well using WPA2 AES. But after a couple of days the adaptor lost its connection and hasn't been able to reconnect. We've tried everything - changing the security level and password to a lower level of encryption, rebooting more times than one can tell, waving the adaptor around to get a better signal, nothing works. The signal is strong, the adaptor can see the router, the router can't see the adaptor anymore and won't give it an address. The adaptor insists on making up a hopeless address that gives 'limited or no connectivity'.

Any ideas as to what else to do? It did work, and now doesn't. The router is working perfectly, by the way, and the Inspiron laptop connects without any problems.

One oddity - when connected, it shows up as 'Wireless Connection 9'. What does that mean, and could it be causing conflicts somewhere?

Kate

PudgyOne · Answer

Kate,

Are you sure the adapter connected? Some adapters will connect better with WPA-PSK(TKIP) Security (Personal) WPA-AES is faster.

Try reading...

Windows Vista cannot obtain an IP address from certain routers or from certain non-Microsoft DHCP servers

Rick

ElviraKate · Answer

Thanks for this - I should have said we both have XP (SP3), not Vista - this article is just for Vista users, isn't it?

What is the difference between TKIP and AES? It was working OK with AES up till the day before yesterday. I can try with TKIP but then I'll have to change the laptop to the same. I'm wondering if the Dell isn't just constipated with all these phantom wireless connections. Is there a way to clear them from the Dell and start afresh?

all best

Kate

PudgyOne · Answer

Kate,

Power off the ISP modem/router and the wireless router(if any). Wait 30 seconds, then turn on the ISP modem/router. Wait 30 seconds, then turn on the wireless router(if any)

Try running WinSock XP Fix

Try to connect. What happens?

Rick

ElviraKate · Answer

Thanks hugely,  will look at this and try it tomorrow. It won't muck up the laptop connection, will it?

PudgyOne · Answer

Kate,   No, but disconnect the ethernet cable from the laptop to the computer bfore running WinsockXP Fix.     Rick

ElviraKate · Answer

Not using ethernet cables anywhere. The laptop is wirelessly connected to the router. We were attempting to get the desktop to do the same via its own adaptor (the Linksys). The postman has just delivered a new Tenda adaptor for the desktop, so am going to try with that now. Will have a go with WinsockXP fix in due course. Thank you for all your help.

Kate

PudgyOne · Answer

Kate,

You need to Logi n in to the wireless router...

How to login to your wireless router and use these Recommended Wireless Router Settings, I use channel 11. Wireless adapters are a little tricky and like certain settings.

Rick

ElviraKate · Answer

Thanks, Rick , for all this. The problem with the old Linksys was that although it *said* it could see the router, it couldn't get a log-on page. We've now configured the Tenda adaptor and it seems to be working really well with a fantastic strength of signal. Using WPA-AES as before, no problems. Too many neighbours on Channel 11, so using Channel 10 without problems. I'm planning to update its driver later on today, but basically it's now working and seems pretty stable.

thanks again

Kate

PudgyOne · Answer

Kate,   Glad you got it working! :emotion-21: Thanks for posting back.   Take care,     Rick

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Wireless connection problem

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