Hi. I have a PC that usually connects to my wireless router just fine,
but for the past few months it goes out for no apparent reason.
Usually restarting it would help, but now it doesn't. My Linksys
software on there, WLAN Monitor, says it can see the signal fine, so I
click on "connect" and it tries, then it stops, says "disconnected". I
went into TCP/IP properties and "find ip address automatically" is
checked. I tried changing it to my IP address but it didn't work.
Linksys' live chat is not working for some reason. When I try to
register for their forums for asking for help, I click on the
"register" link and it takes me back to the login page. I tried
phoning their 24/7 support, but they said I would need to pay $40 to
get their help. :(
More details:
I have three computers on this network. I did not set this network up,
I hired a guy to do it years ago (maybe as much as 6 years, not
sure). One computer is connected to the modem via ethernet cable
(wired, not wireless). It has windows xp. My laptop and this other pc
are connected wirelessly. The other PC, the one with the problem
connecting, has Windows 98. The laptop also has XP. Both the wired pc
with Xp and the laptop with XP are working fine and can connect to the
internet.
I will also say that they all three used to be able to connect to each
other and I could transfer files, but that hasn't worked for a while,
either. I was able to connect to the windows 98 pc with my laptop and
transfer files, at least, until the windows 98 pc stopped being able
to get online.
I am thinking it is problem some software thing and not the adapter or
router since it says it is seeing the signal just fine, but I really
don't know that much about these things.
And, no, I can't upgrade the computer with windows 98 and I do need it
to keep working.
Thanks for any help...I did email Linksys so we'll see if they will
ever answer...
Suzanne wrote:
> Hi. I have a PC that usually connects to my wireless router just fine,
> but for the past few months it goes out for no apparent reason.
> Usually restarting it would help, but now it doesn't. My Linksys
> software on there, WLAN Monitor, says it can see the signal fine, so I
> click on "connect" and it tries, then it stops, says "disconnected". I
> went into TCP/IP properties and "find ip address automatically" is
> checked. I tried changing it to my IP address but it didn't work.
>
> Linksys' live chat is not working for some reason. When I try to
> register for their forums for asking for help, I click on the
> "register" link and it takes me back to the login page. I tried
> phoning their 24/7 support, but they said I would need to pay $40 to
> get their help. :(
>
> More details:
> I have three computers on this network. I did not set this network up,
> I hired a guy to do it years ago (maybe as much as 6 years, not
> sure). One computer is connected to the modem via ethernet cable
> (wired, not wireless). It has windows xp. My laptop and this other pc
> are connected wirelessly. The other PC, the one with the problem
> connecting, has Windows 98. The laptop also has XP. Both the wired pc
> with Xp and the laptop with XP are working fine and can connect to the
> internet.
>
> I will also say that they all three used to be able to connect to each
> other and I could transfer files, but that hasn't worked for a while,
> either. I was able to connect to the windows 98 pc with my laptop and
> transfer files, at least, until the windows 98 pc stopped being able
> to get online.
>
> I am thinking it is problem some software thing and not the adapter or
> router since it says it is seeing the signal just fine, but I really
> don't know that much about these things.
>
> And, no, I can't upgrade the computer with windows 98 and I do need it
> to keep working.
>
> Thanks for any help...I did email Linksys so we'll see if they will
> ever answer...
>
> Suzanne Lanoue
> http://tvmegasite.net
> suzanne@tvmegasite.net
This could be a long shot for you, but I did have a mysterious problem
that appeared to have been caused by an update by my AVG Anti-Virus
software. I totally removed the AVG and installed AVAST Anti-Virus and
it works perfectly. For good measure I also removed my old SYGATE
Firewall and installed Zone Alarm.
I my case I could only connect the wireless in an open non-secured mode.
As soon as I enabled the security WPA I could no longer connect. So,
if you happen to use AVG or SYGATE, temporarily disable them and try again.
On Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:39:50 -0800 (PST), Suzanne <slanoue@gmail.com>
wrote:
>Hi. I have a PC that usually connects to my wireless router just fine,
Any particular model number Linksys wireless router?
Extra credit for the hardware version (on the serial number tag).
>but for the past few months it goes out for no apparent reason.
The reason will be obvious AFTER you fix it. If nothing else has
changes, it's possible that a neighbor has arrived with a wireless
network on your channel. The interference will cause problems,
although they're usually not connection problems. The worst are
wireless video extenders, which operate continuously. Also municipal
wireless networks and other sources of interference. See list of
possible culprits at:
<http://wireless.navas.us/wiki/Wi-Fi#Interference>
Changing the channel (1, 6, or 11) on the router might help.
>Usually restarting it would help, but now it doesn't. My Linksys
>software on there, WLAN Monitor, says it can see the signal fine, so I
>click on "connect" and it tries, then it stops, says "disconnected". I
>went into TCP/IP properties and "find ip address automatically" is
>checked. I tried changing it to my IP address but it didn't work.
That can also be a mangled WEP or WPA password. Depending on your
operating system, you may need to re-enter the password or pass
phrase. I don't want to list procedures for every version of Windoze
from Win98 to Vista. (Vista is especially a PITA if you change the
password).
>Linksys' live chat is not working for some reason. When I try to
>register for their forums for asking for help, I click on the
>"register" link and it takes me back to the login page. I tried
>phoning their 24/7 support, but they said I would need to pay $40 to
>get their help. :(
<http://linksys.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/linksys.cfg/php/enduser/live_request.php>
I don't think you will be able to get much help beyond the usual:
1. Update the firmware.
2. Reset the router to defaults and reconfigure.
3. Reinstall your operating system (not a great idea).
>More details:
>I have three computers on this network. I did not set this network up,
>I hired a guy to do it years ago (maybe as much as 6 years, not
>sure).
If the Linksys wireless router is 6 years old, it's probably a
BEFW11S4 or early WRT54G. Both of these have their problems. Both
have gone through numerous firmware updates in the last 6 years, some
of which were to fix Windoze wireless compatibility issues.
>One computer is connected to the modem via ethernet cable
>(wired, not wireless). It has windows xp.
Duz it work when connected via a wired CAT5 connection?
>My laptop and this other pc
>are connected wirelessly. The other PC, the one with the problem
>connecting, has Windows 98. The laptop also has XP. Both the wired pc
>with Xp and the laptop with XP are working fine and can connect to the
>internet.
Problem. Windoze 98 will probably only support WEP. WEP has serious
security problems. It also has problems converting from an ASCII WEP
key to a hexadecimal WEP key. The Hex key always works. The ASCII
(text) key sometimes fails. If you're stuck with WEP, use a Hex key.
>I will also say that they all three used to be able to connect to each
>other and I could transfer files, but that hasn't worked for a while,
>either.
If you can't make a wireless connection, you will not be able to
transfer files.
>I was able to connect to the windows 98 pc with my laptop and
>transfer files, at least, until the windows 98 pc stopped being able
>to get online.
>
>I am thinking it is problem some software thing and not the adapter or
>router since it says it is seeing the signal just fine, but I really
>don't know that much about these things.
>
>And, no, I can't upgrade the computer with windows 98 and I do need it
>to keep working.
>
>Thanks for any help...I did email Linksys so we'll see if they will
>ever answer...
With all due respect, methinks you're out of your depth here. If you
want to do it yourself, it might be easier to spend $60 on a new
wireless router and start over. You'll still have to update the
firmware, but at least you won't be fighting old bugs. The Windoze 98
machine is going to be a problem no matter what you do (due to WEP).
With the number of computahs involved, it might also be best to hire
someone to set it up for you. However, this time, pay attention,
record the settings, make a backup of the router configuration, and
understand what's happening. I would say you were fairly lucky to
have things work fairly reliably for 6 years without updates, fixes,
tweaks, reloads, and all the horrors of modern computing.
On Sun, 16 Nov 2008 09:28:00 -0800, Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com>
wrote:
[snip]
>With all due respect, methinks you're out of your depth here. If you
>want to do it yourself, it might be easier to spend $60 on a new
>wireless router and start over. You'll still have to update the
>firmware, but at least you won't be fighting old bugs. The Windoze 98
>machine is going to be a problem no matter what you do (due to WEP).
>With the number of computahs involved, it might also be best to hire
>someone to set it up for you. However, this time, pay attention,
>record the settings, make a backup of the router configuration, and
>understand what's happening. I would say you were fairly lucky to
>have things work fairly reliably for 6 years without updates, fixes,
>tweaks, reloads, and all the horrors of modern computing.
I had a friend with a similar situation, where she had a Win98 system
in the mix but wanted to run a flavor of WPA rather than WEP. I gave
her a WRT54GL with dd-wrt set to Client Bridge mode. Problem solved.
The WRT54GL was connected via Ethernet cable to the Win98 PC, and
connected wirelessly to her existing router running WPA2. Of course,
all of the advice about recording settings, saving configs, and
generally understanding what's going on always applies.
Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> On Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:39:50 -0800 (PST), Suzanne <slanoue@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi. I have a PC that usually connects to my wireless router just fine,
>
> Any particular model number Linksys wireless router?
> Extra credit for the hardware version (on the serial number tag).
>
>> but for the past few months it goes out for no apparent reason.
>
> The reason will be obvious AFTER you fix it. If nothing else has
> changes, it's possible that a neighbor has arrived with a wireless
> network on your channel. The interference will cause problems,
> although they're usually not connection problems. The worst are
> wireless video extenders, which operate continuously. Also municipal
> wireless networks and other sources of interference. See list of
> possible culprits at:
> <http://wireless.navas.us/wiki/Wi-Fi#Interference>
> Changing the channel (1, 6, or 11) on the router might help.
>
>> Usually restarting it would help, but now it doesn't. My Linksys
>> software on there, WLAN Monitor, says it can see the signal fine, so I
>> click on "connect" and it tries, then it stops, says "disconnected". I
>> went into TCP/IP properties and "find ip address automatically" is
>> checked. I tried changing it to my IP address but it didn't work.
>
> That can also be a mangled WEP or WPA password. Depending on your
> operating system, you may need to re-enter the password or pass
> phrase. I don't want to list procedures for every version of Windoze
> from Win98 to Vista. (Vista is especially a PITA if you change the
> password).
>
>> Linksys' live chat is not working for some reason. When I try to
>> register for their forums for asking for help, I click on the
>> "register" link and it takes me back to the login page. I tried
>> phoning their 24/7 support, but they said I would need to pay $40 to
>> get their help. :(
>
> <http://linksys.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/linksys.cfg/php/enduser/live_request.php>
> I don't think you will be able to get much help beyond the usual:
> 1. Update the firmware.
> 2. Reset the router to defaults and reconfigure.
> 3. Reinstall your operating system (not a great idea).
>
>> More details:
>> I have three computers on this network. I did not set this network up,
>> I hired a guy to do it years ago (maybe as much as 6 years, not
>> sure).
>
> If the Linksys wireless router is 6 years old, it's probably a
> BEFW11S4 or early WRT54G. Both of these have their problems. Both
> have gone through numerous firmware updates in the last 6 years, some
> of which were to fix Windoze wireless compatibility issues.
>
>> One computer is connected to the modem via ethernet cable
>> (wired, not wireless). It has windows xp.
>
> Duz it work when connected via a wired CAT5 connection?
>
>> My laptop and this other pc
>> are connected wirelessly. The other PC, the one with the problem
>> connecting, has Windows 98. The laptop also has XP. Both the wired pc
>> with Xp and the laptop with XP are working fine and can connect to the
>> internet.
>
> Problem. Windoze 98 will probably only support WEP. WEP has serious
> security problems. It also has problems converting from an ASCII WEP
> key to a hexadecimal WEP key. The Hex key always works. The ASCII
> (text) key sometimes fails. If you're stuck with WEP, use a Hex key.
>
>> I will also say that they all three used to be able to connect to each
>> other and I could transfer files, but that hasn't worked for a while,
>> either.
>
> If you can't make a wireless connection, you will not be able to
> transfer files.
>
>> I was able to connect to the windows 98 pc with my laptop and
>> transfer files, at least, until the windows 98 pc stopped being able
>> to get online.
>>
>> I am thinking it is problem some software thing and not the adapter or
>> router since it says it is seeing the signal just fine, but I really
>> don't know that much about these things.
>>
>> And, no, I can't upgrade the computer with windows 98 and I do need it
>> to keep working.
>>
>> Thanks for any help...I did email Linksys so we'll see if they will
>> ever answer...
>
> With all due respect, methinks you're out of your depth here. If you
> want to do it yourself, it might be easier to spend $60 on a new
> wireless router and start over. You'll still have to update the
> firmware, but at least you won't be fighting old bugs. The Windoze 98
> machine is going to be a problem no matter what you do (due to WEP).
> With the number of computahs involved, it might also be best to hire
> someone to set it up for you. However, this time, pay attention,
> record the settings, make a backup of the router configuration, and
> understand what's happening. I would say you were fairly lucky to
> have things work fairly reliably for 6 years without updates, fixes,
> tweaks, reloads, and all the horrors of modern computing.
>
At the moment (2:50 pm, Sun 11/16),
<http://wireless.navas.us/wiki/Wi-Fi#Interference>
is not reachable. Even wireless.navas.us results in a 404 Not Found error
> At the moment (2:50 pm, Sun 11/16),
> <http://wireless.navas.us/wiki/Wi-Fi#Interference>
> is not reachable. Even wireless.navas.us results in a 404
Not Found error
On Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:55:13 -0500, Ulysses <ulysses66@hotmail.com>
wrote:
>At the moment (2:50 pm, Sun 11/16),
><http://wireless.navas.us/wiki/Wi-Fi#Interference>
>is not reachable. Even wireless.navas.us results in a 404 Not Found error
Well, it was working when I posted the message. I'll notify J.N.
about the problem. Meanwhile, the old web site is still up:
<http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Interference>
On Sun, 16 Nov 2008 12:46:41 -0600, Char Jackson <none@none.invalid>
wrote:
>I had a friend with a similar situation, where she had a Win98 system
>in the mix but wanted to run a flavor of WPA rather than WEP. I gave
>her a WRT54GL with dd-wrt set to Client Bridge mode. Problem solved.
>The WRT54GL was connected via Ethernet cable to the Win98 PC, and
>connected wirelessly to her existing router running WPA2. Of course,
>all of the advice about recording settings, saving configs, and
>generally understanding what's going on always applies.
DD-WRT will do multiple SSID's, each with its own encryption method. I
have two SSID's setup at home. One with WPA2-AES encryption. The
other with WPA-TKIP for those machines that have problems with
WPA2-AES. I could easily add a 3rd for WEP. Unfortunately, DD-WRT
can't adjust the routing for each SSID. That would make it easy to
setup a "public" SSID, that allows only access to the internet. Also
unfortunately, DD-WRT doesn't provide any easy way to enable/disable
the WEP or "public" SSID from a script, based on time of day. It may
be possible to do these things, but I haven't figured out how. (I
also haven't figured out what the bridged/un-bridged mode choices do
on the wireless basic settings page).
Using a WRT54G as a client bridge, transparent bridge, or WAP
bridge/client/repeater, is a good way to avoid the Windoze 98 lack of
WPA encryption problem. I've recently run into a pile of assorted
WRT54G style routers. The v5, v6, and v8 routers only run the micro
version of the firmware and are (IMHO) only good for client radios and
WAP bridge/client/repeaters. The others become routers and AP's.
<http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/What_is_DD-WRT%3F#File_Versions>
Using a client ethernet bridge is quite usable for a home user, but
won't be too useful for a road warrior style laptop.
On Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:55:13 -0500, Ulysses <ulysses66@hotmail.com>
wrote in <0umdnZVORpE9573UnZ2dnUVZ_qjinZ2d@earthlink.com> :
>At the moment (2:50 pm, Sun 11/16),
><http://wireless.navas.us/wiki/Wi-Fi#Interference>
>is not reachable. Even wireless.navas.us results in a 404 Not Found error
Indeed. [sigh] My hosting provider broke the server configuration,
and isn't doing a good job of getting it fixed. :(
--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://wireless.navas.us>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.navas.us/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.navas.us/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.navas.us/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>
pc won't connect any more with router 
Linear Mode
