Ad: See the powerful new Nokia Lumia 928
ie8 fix

Networking & wireless forum: Can't stay connected to WIFI

by: emmy7148 February 29, 2012 3:23 PM PST

Like this

0 people like this thread

Staff pick

Resolved question

Can't stay connected to WIFI

by emmy7148 - 2/29/12 3:23 PM

Hello and thank you in advance for whatever help can be offered for us, we can't think of anything else to do...
OK so my husband and I have many computers and work on a wireless network. We live in a very large multi-unit building in a very large city. We hadn't had any issues with connectivity for a while, but recently the PCs in the office cannot stay connected for more than a minute or two. It happens to our two desktops and one laptop; the only computer that seems immune is the lone apple laptop. The PC laptop has much less difficulty staying on when I sit in the room with the router. The office is literally the next room over, less than 20 feet. The network still shows up as an available network, it just won't connect. All the impacted computers will be fine for maybe a minute and then will all drop out at the same time. Rarely (like once in the past month) there will be no issues at all, and we can stay on all day. We have changed the channel of it a few times, but there are at least 15 other networks nearby. The router is relatively new, it is a Netgear Rangemax Duo wireless n-adapter.
We have gotten to the point where we have no idea where to go next. My hubby is fairly tech savvy, but at work, and I am essentially clueless and frustrated. I'm not sure what else would be helpful in understanding the problem.
I would think it is somehow a router issue, since I can stay on ok while next to it, but then why is the apple immune? I've scoured the forum for an hour or so, but I haven't seen anything related to multiple computers having issues simultaneously...Any ideas would be very helpful!


emmy7148 has chosen the best answer to his/her question!
Click here to view the answer that was selected.

Answer This
Ask for clarification
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Clarification request: I keep losing my wireless connection

by untehcy - 4/29/12 8:48 AM

In Reply to: Can't stay connected to WIFI by emmy7148

Thank you for any help I can get. I am so not a computer person... in fact I'm sort of stuck in the stone age. Here is my problem. Every time I try to get on line, I have to reconnect. My laptop is old, but has been upgraded, and I'm told it's actually a good machine now (dell inspiron 1200, now sporting 80 gig, and windows 7) My router and modem are both new, provided by Cox with the phone bundel. Sometimes I have to attempt to erconnect several times, and it's a pain. Any one got a simple fix for the untechy???


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend
Answers
Answer Best answer as chosen by user emmy7148

rare..

by mieldita - 2/29/12 4:19 PM

In Reply to: Can't stay connected to WIFI by emmy7148

well this is kind of a rare issue.

it might be the apple is having the problem than the windows based PCs because its 2:1 but on your case its the other way around.

given the fact that you have changed the channels multiple times i bet you have tried this.

change the channel on the router
from 6 to 11 or 1

and also try :
changing the tx rate, lock it to 54 mbps each of the wireless device for windows based.

just try, then re post if it didn't work.

hope i help happy


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

tx rate?

by emmy7148 - 2/29/12 6:07 PM

In Reply to: rare.. by mieldita

I don't know what "tx rate" is, so I have no idea if it is locked at 54 mbps. How/where do I check?
Tried just about every channel for the router; we are currently on "4" since it is the only channel that doesn't have anyone on it, but there are a few on 2 and a few on 5 and 6, so it's probably interacting...
At least this is "rare" and not just us being stupid!
Thanks!


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Very common

by bill012 - 3/1/12 4:36 AM

In Reply to: tx rate? by emmy7148

This is getting to be a more and more common question on this forum. All I can do is guess the more common issues.

First make sure the firmware on your router is current there have been a number of bugs that can cause this but there are so many models of routers it hard to say if yours has any issues.

Next make sure you are using a different SSID than anyone else and you have set your PC to ONLY use your SSID. A PC will always use the strongest signal for a SSID even if it is not yours. It can also be configured to use the strongest signal no matter the SSID. Needless to say if it switches you will lose your connection.

After this it is more than likely interference from all the other neighbors you can see. You will definitely get interference from channels near the one you use. The signal bleeds over multiple and if someone is using one of the new 450m routers it uses ALL the channels.

Since you have a dual band router you could try to use the 5G band. There are many more channels and it is blocked by walls much easier (good if you want to block your neighbor bad if it blocks your signal). You PC's would of course need dual band adapters but many newer machines have these. The dual band USB adapters have come down in price a lot lately.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Forum Icon Legend

  • UnreadUnread
  • ReadRead
  • Locked threadLocked thread
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • ModeratorModerator
  • CNET StaffCNET Staff
  • Samsung StaffSamsung Staff
  • Norton Authorized Support TeamNorton Authorized Support Team
  • AVG StaffAVG Staff
  • avast! Staffavast! Staff
  • Webroot Support TeamWebroot Support Team
  • Acer Customer Experience TeamAcer Customer Experience Team
  • Windows Outreach TeamWindows Outreach Team
  • DISH staffDISH staff
  • Dell StaffDell Staff
  • Intel StaffIntel Staff
  • QuestionQuestion
  • Resolved questionResolved question
  • General discussionGeneral discussion
  • TipTip
  • Alert or warningAlert or warning
  • PraisePraise
  • RantRant

You are e-mailing the following post: Post Subject

Your e-mail address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the e-mail and in case of transmission error. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose.

Sorry, there was a problem emailing this post. Please try again.

Submit Email Cancel

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

You are reporting the following post: Post Subject

If you believe this post is offensive or violates the CNET Forums' Usage policies, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the post). Once reported, our moderators will be notified and the post will be reviewed.

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language

Spam: Advertisements or commercial links

Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users

Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Submit Report Cancel

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

You are posting a reply to: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Duplicate posts are not allowed in the forums. Please edit your post and submit again.

Submit Reply Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close

You are requesting a clarification of the question: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Submit Clarification Request Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close

You are posting an answer to the question: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Submit Answer Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close
close

Click here to be notified via e-mail when someone submits an answer.

Would you like to resolve this question? close

Based on your response, it looks like this question has been answered.



Sorry, there was a problem resolving this question. Please try again.

Resolve Leave unresolved