"Martin Underwood" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:45ead603$0$8736$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...
> "ChrisR" <chris@delete.cirobinson.everyotherword.plus.fromm y.com.address>
> wrote in message
> news:45ead281$0$8733$ed2619ec@ptn-nntp-reader02.plus.net...
>>
> Given that more than one PC is affected and that you are getting some very
> bizarre symptoms, I'd suspect two things: 1) interference from another
> router on the same channel; 2) the router has died.
>
> Download NetStumbler (www.netstumbler.com) and install it on one of the
> wireless PCs. With your router turned off, run Netstumbler and see what
> other networks are visible and what channels they are using. Now turn your
> router on and re-run Netstumbler. You should see your own network as well
> now.
>
> If there is any other network on the same channel as yours, try
> configuring your router (by an Ethernet connection from the PC) to use a
> different, unused channel, preferably differing from any neighbouring
> network by at least two channel numbers. I think channels 1, 6 and 11 are
> non-overlapping; any others overlap to some extent with these. With the
> WAG54G, I think you have to explicitly save any config changes and then
> reboot: alway check after rebooting that the change has "taken" and that
> you haven't reverted to the previous state.
>
Mirabile dictu, changing the channel worked this time.

There must be some law that says that if you have a problem and try the most
obvious three things in five minutes, then spend thirteen hours looking for
obscure solutions, then go back to the obvious, it will now work.

Interesting, though, that a connection can exist when Windows Zero config
thinks it doesn't.

thanks for your help, everyone.

C.