linksys wireless-g range extender causing file sharing issues

just picked up a linksys range extender at best buy to eliminate some
signal issues, and it is working beautifully in that respect - the
issue is that since i have connected the range extender to the network,
i'm now completely unable to share any files through windows...the
computers just can't seem to see each other. what makes it even more
odd is that some computers can ping some computers, others can't ping
anyone...even more confusing to me is that one computer in particular
can ping my computer, but i can't ping that computer back. all
computers on the network can ping both the router and the range
extender, and file sharing was working flawlessly before this...please
help!

"Matt" <crackers819903@gmail.com> hath wroth:

>just picked up a linksys range extender at best buy to eliminate some
>signal issues, and it is working beautifully in that respect - the
>issue is that since i have connected the range extender to the network,
>i'm now completely unable to share any files through windows...the
>computers just can't seem to see each other. what makes it even more
>odd is that some computers can ping some computers, others can't ping
>anyone...even more confusing to me is that one computer in particular
>can ping my computer, but i can't ping that computer back. all
>computers on the network can ping both the router and the range
>extender, and file sharing was working flawlessly before this...please
>help!

I guess Best Buy is selling Linksys range extenders without model
numbers. Could I trouble you to kindly disclose the model number and
the firmware version (assuming you bothered to check for updates)?

What access point or wireless router are you using with the
unspecified range extender? Compatibility issues are epidemic and
your symptoms are typical.

The obvious test to perform first is to turn off (that's like pull the
AC power plug) on the range extender and verify that your wireless
network still works without the range extender. If it doesn't, then
something else is screwed up with your network. Lacking a
description, I can't offer any clues.

I'm not sure what to suggest to make this work. It's usually
something you have no control over such as timing issues or creative
802.11 header data. Sometimes firmware updates fix the problem. In
general, the only safe way to make it work is to insure that your
unspecified model Linksys range extender has the same chipset as your
unspecified wireless router, or at least uses the same chipset.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

sorry...there's only one range extender listed on the linksys website,
so i figured that specifying "linksys" would be good enough. model #
is WRE54G

router is WRT54GS (wireless-g with speedboost), which i'm nearly
certain is listed on the box as a "compatible access point" or
something to that effect. hadn't thought of the firmware update idea,
i'll try that in the morning and post my results.

Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> "Matt" <crackers819903@gmail.com> hath wroth:
>
> >just picked up a linksys range extender at best buy to eliminate some
> >signal issues, and it is working beautifully in that respect - the
> >issue is that since i have connected the range extender to the network,
> >i'm now completely unable to share any files through windows...the
> >computers just can't seem to see each other. what makes it even more
> >odd is that some computers can ping some computers, others can't ping
> >anyone...even more confusing to me is that one computer in particular
> >can ping my computer, but i can't ping that computer back. all
> >computers on the network can ping both the router and the range
> >extender, and file sharing was working flawlessly before this...please
> >help!
>
> I guess Best Buy is selling Linksys range extenders without model
> numbers. Could I trouble you to kindly disclose the model number and
> the firmware version (assuming you bothered to check for updates)?
>
> What access point or wireless router are you using with the
> unspecified range extender? Compatibility issues are epidemic and
> your symptoms are typical.
>
> The obvious test to perform first is to turn off (that's like pull the
> AC power plug) on the range extender and verify that your wireless
> network still works without the range extender. If it doesn't, then
> something else is screwed up with your network. Lacking a
> description, I can't offer any clues.
>
> I'm not sure what to suggest to make this work. It's usually
> something you have no control over such as timing issues or creative
> 802.11 header data. Sometimes firmware updates fix the problem. In
> general, the only safe way to make it work is to insure that your
> unspecified model Linksys range extender has the same chipset as your
> unspecified wireless router, or at least uses the same chipset.
>
> --
> Jeff Liebermann jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
> 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
> Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

"Matt" <crackers819903@gmail.com> hath wroth:

>sorry...there's only one range extender listed on the linksys website,
>so i figured that specifying "linksys" would be good enough. model #
>is WRE54G

Right. Let's make it as difficult as possible for anyone answering
your question. It's considered good form to disclose:
1. What you're trying to accomplish.
2. What you have to work with.
Otherwise, answering your question is an ordeal process. Incidentally,
have you ever tried to buy auto parts without disclosing the vehicle
make and model number? Wireless is the same way. Different cars and
different wireless devices have different problems. That reminds me...
is it a WRE54G v1 or v2? Are you using the stock firmware with the
WRT54GS or an alternative?

>router is WRT54GS (wireless-g with speedboost), which i'm nearly
>certain is listed on the box as a "compatible access point" or
>something to that effect. hadn't thought of the firmware update idea,
>i'll try that in the morning and post my results.

Assumption, the mother of all screwups. The specs say that it works
with WRT54G, WRT54GS, WAP54G, or any router with WDS support.

This might be a fun read:
<http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-how-to/how_to_wre54g_setup/>
<http://techblog.touchbasic.com/html/adventures-in-wireless-networking-linksys-wrt54g-wre54g-setup/>
<http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/linksys_wre54g_wireless_wre54g/>
Basically, it says that it sorta works with the WRT54G but works
better if you use the WDS mode which requires alternative firmware for
the WRT54G. I would do this anyway (i.e. DD-WRT) as the alternative
firmware offers considerably more features.

From the test summary at:
<http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/linksys_wre54g_wireless_wre54g/page6.html/>
"I was very disappointed and surprised at the poor performance
that the WRE54G had in my testing."

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558