Laptop won't connect to the network

[lti]

One of the computers on my home network has trouble connecting to the wireless network after getting a new router. The router is an Actiontec C1000A, which replaced an Actiontec GT701 modem (now dead) and a Cisco Linksys E1200 router. The computer is a Toshiba Tecra M9 with an Intel 4965AGN wireless adapter running Windows XP Professional.

At first, the laptop would BSOD shortly after connecting to the wireless network, but it worked normally when connected to one of the Ethernet ports on the modem/router. Updating the driver for the wireless card fixed that, but it won't connect to the Internet most of the time. Windows will claim that the computer is connected to the network, but there is no Internet connection. After restarting the computer, Windows says that there is limited or no connectivity. A couple minutes later, Windows will show that the computer is connected to the network and everything works properly.

[ben7]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

One of the computers on my home network has trouble connecting to the wireless network after getting a new router. The router is an Actiontec C1000A, which replaced an Actiontec GT701 modem (now dead) and a Cisco Linksys E1200 router. The computer is a Toshiba Tecra M9 with an Intel 4965AGN wireless adapter running Windows XP Professional.

At first, the laptop would BSOD shortly after connecting to the wireless network, but it worked normally when connected to one of the Ethernet ports on the modem/router. Updating the driver for the wireless card fixed that, but it won't connect to the Internet most of the time. Windows will claim that the computer is connected to the network, but there is no Internet connection. After restarting the computer, Windows says that there is limited or no connectivity. A couple minutes later, Windows will show that the computer is connected to the network and everything works properly.

Are you sure the delay is not from the driver verifying the wireless signal?

Check to make sure the wireless card is properly seated, and that the antennae wires are also making good connection.

[lti]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

This computer worked perfectly with the old router.

[ben7]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

This computer worked perfectly with the old router.

Try a better quality one.

[lti]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

Disabling the modem's built-in router and using the router I was using with the old modem will be a last resort.

[lti]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

One of the other computers had a similar problem today. Maybe I should recap the old modem and use it and the old router instead. I just got this modem/router on Friday to replace the modem with bad caps.

[ben7]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

One of the other computers had a similar problem today. Maybe I should recap the old modem and use it and the old router instead. I just got this modem/router on Friday to replace the modem with bad caps.

Yep.

Re-cap and then have a ball downloading porn

[Toasty]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

OS?

Using Windows or card supplied software to control wireless network? Most time i find Windows works better/reliably.

Check security protocol(s) and network settings (DHCP). Uninstall/reinstall adapter (through Windows).

T

[lti]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

Both computers are running Windows XP Professional 32-bit. I am using Windows to control the network connection. According to Windows, I am using WPA2.

[Toasty]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

XP SP3 I presume.

Locked on N, there is no fallback to A, B, or G.

Can you change the channel on the router? Could it be an interference/congestion problem in the area?

Check: Internet Options - Tools - LAN Settings - [] Automatically detect settings ? Box checked or unchecked?

T

[lti]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

Yes, they are both running XP SP3. I might be able to change the channel on the router. The "Automatically detect settings" box is unchecked on one computer, but I haven't checked the computer I mentioned in the first post.

Strangely, my laptop works perfectly, but every other computer using a wireless connection has issues.

[lti]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

The "Automatically detect settings" box is checked on the other computer. That computer says that it was never assigned an IP address and redirects 192.168.0.1 (the address to enter the router setup) to 192.0.0.1 (an invalid address).

Here are the router settings:
Security type: WPA-WPA2-Personal (both WPA and WPA2?)
Encryption type: Both (AES and TKIP)
Channel: Auto Detect (can be forced to any channel from 1 to 11)
Power level: 100% (can be set from 10% to 100% in 10% steps)
Aggregation: MPDU (can be set to MSDU or Disabled)
DHCP server: Enabled
Lease time: 1 day

[budm]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

Can the old router do the WPA2 or it was not running the WPA2 before? or the laptop WIFI card can do WPA2?

[lti]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

The old router used WPA2.

[lti]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

Now I want to know who Don-HP is and how he got my wireless password.

Time to block MAC addresses...

Update: He's blocked now. I might only allow the MAC addresses of the three laptops on my network in the future.

[Time2Retire]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

MAC address filtering is not even considered to be a security measure. Use WPA2 or don't use wireless at all!

http://www.maxi-pedia.com/how+to+break+MAC+filtering

[lti]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

I am already using WPA2, as I mentioned many times above.

Maybe the 3/4" diameter WPS button on the front of the router (no shit) got accidentally pressed at the same time that he tried to connect his laptop to his own router using WPS. This would make his computer connect to my network instead of his. I haven't heard of any way to crack WPA2 (or even WPA). WPS is disabled now, just because the button is so easy to press.

However, considering the amount of network activity, he probably knew that he was connected to my network and was downloading as much child porn and as many pirated movies as he possibly could.

[budm]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

But are you still having problem connection for your old laptop?

[lti]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

Yes, I am still having connection problems with those two laptops.

I also noticed that the link speed is much lower. My laptop (the only one with a reliable connection) and one of the two laptops with connection issues used to connect at 144Mbps. My laptop now connects at 72Mbps and the other laptop connects at 54Mbps. The third laptop connected at 65Mbps and still does.

[lti]

Re: Laptop won't connect to the network

My laptop is constantly communicating with the router. I don't know what it is trying to do. Task Manager shows constant 0.1% network usage and the wireless activity light on the router is constantly flashing. I have attached a Wireshark log showing a few seconds of network activity.