Wireless problem with 1450 USB 2.0 adapter.

Question

I just purchase a Dell Dimension XPS and also got the Wireless USB 2.0 1450 adapter. I have no problem connecting to my router (which is Linksys WRT54GS), but my problem is that the connection stop for about 5 seconds every 2-5 minutes. I play online game with this computer and this disconnection get realy annoying, its also happen when downloading files.   My connection strenght is Excellent. I have tried updating the adapter drivers, my router to the latest firmware, nothing fixes the problem I also have no problem at all connecting to my router using a regular RJ-45 cable.   I realy don't what else to do.   Thanks Ben

volcano11 · Answer

Are there any sources of interference nearby, like 2.4 Ghz cordless phones or Microwave ovens? If so, try changing the channel used by the router to one of the extremes (1 or 11). Is Windows managing the wireless connection or are you using the utility that came with the wireless network adapter? Try changing which one manages the connectin and see if that eliminates the problem. Are there any other wireless networks in your area that may be interfering? If so, again, chaning the router channel may help, or removing the other wireless network from the list of preferred wireless networks may help.

Steve

elc190 · Answer

I have the same problem. I have tried every channel on the router, disconnected phones etc... and tried many other setting changes and no solutions. I also start off at a speed of 11mbps and soon go down to 2mbps...Other computers in the house also connecting to the router and some even farther away and not in line of sight do not have this problem !!!!!!!!!!   If anyone has any thoughts it would be greatly appreciated !!!!!!!!!!!   Thanks   Ed

Benses · Answer

Ok I did some more testing and firgure, at least I think I did, that I get the disconnection when windows refresh the list of available wireless. I get the exact same disconnection when I do a manual refresh of the wireless network list. Is there a way to disable that option in windows?

Thanks

Ben

Benses · Answer

Thanks for the advice, but Im still having this problem.

I only have one network in the Prefered network, but there also another network showing that is not mine that is coming in when I'm not connected to any network, that network seem to be come in & out.

I have tried changing channel, using WPA, WPE or no security, and none of thoses option affects the problem. Tried putting the network on demand still didnt work.

I also notice that my Signal goes from Good, Very Good to excellent quite alot, and the speed alternate beetween 24mbps & 56mbps.

I'm out of idea, except to go back to wired :/

Thanks

Ben

volcano11 · Answer

Open the wireless connection windows by clicking on the wireless network icon in the system and selecting "View Available wireless networks". Then click on "Change the order of preferred wireless networks". For each network listed is that is not your network, select it and then click on the Remove button. See if that prevents it from seeing the other networks. You might also want to make sure your wireless network is secure (especially if the other networks are not secure) by adding security features in your router and configuring any computer that connects to the router to be consistent with the security settings.

Steve

houmi · Answer

Hi There,

I also posted a message earlier about the same issue.

The problem is with USB wireless devices, if you do a ping to your router

ping -t 192.168.1.1

you'll see whole bunch of replies then timeout, those timeouts will get
you dropped out of your game. There is probably nothing you could do
about it, I have tried Linksys USB wireless and the same thing happens.
I have a friend who had similar problems, he told me the only USB wireless
card that works is an old one made by Microsoft, but I can't seem finding it.

I recommend you buy a PCI Wireless Card, I have a Linksys PCI WMP11 and
it works pretty well.

Good Luck,
Houman

Benses · Answer

That what I did I purhcase a PCI Wireless Adapter and now I don't have any problem. I never trusted the USB Wirless NIC but Dell didn't  have any PCI version available. Maybe its something they shoult htink of adding on the packages.

houmi · Answer

Very cool.

I don't know, there were some articles about Windows XP refreshing or
trying to find other wireless hosts if the signal goes marginal and
such, and that might cause the ping delay, but I kinda doubt it.

I used to have ping timeouts with my USB Linksys Wireless and by
upgrading the firmware on the linksys, I got the ping timeouts to
become a high ping (like 2000ms) and no timeouts, but still that's a
no-no for online games.

It is too bad USB wireless is not nearly where PCI is, even with the
bandwith of USB 2.0, as a whole I don't care too much about USB 2.0
in general.

Houman

houmi · Answer

You might want to check this article, helped me quite a bit...   http://arstechnica.com/guides/askars/wifi-drop.ars?28987&7698

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Wireless problem with 1450 USB 2.0 adapter.

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