wireless internet connection annoyances

Brendan · 04-02-2008, 09:52 AM

i just moved into a basement suite and the upstairs peoples have a wireless router so i went a got a wireless network card to hop on their connection. it works fine up until every 5 minutes or so, it hiccups and i lose my connection for 10-30 seconds. i'm wondering if it may be caused by spyware because i can't get adaware to update itself anymore and everytime i run a scan, it finds about 90 files which i try to get rid of, but when i scan again, they're still hanging around. i've tried to download and reinstall adaware but the file is too big and as soon as my connection hiccups, the download stalls and i have to re-start.

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DudeBud · 04-06-2008, 07:12 PM

what kind of signal are you getting. we need more info on what you are using

ciscojay · 04-06-2008, 08:37 PM

for the spy/malware, can't say enough about Spybot Search & Destroy. Free and really works well. Adaware is alright, I use it only for the Adwatch realtime feature. It did get rid of some spyware that Adaware couldn't find.

For the wireless, do you know these people? There are so many possibilities why you're dropping connection, you need to add more info. If you're leeching off their hotspot, there's much less you can do to "tweak" it so you have better connectivity as opposed to having access to the Wireless AP/router. Google...there's a million sites for optimizing wireless.

Brendan · 04-07-2008, 12:14 PM

the network was setup by a friend of the tenants upstairs who owns a computer business and sounds like he really knows what he is doing. i think the connection upstairs has the same problems so that could mean it's an ISP problem instead of a network problem, correct?

as far as what kind of signal i'm getting, i'm not sure at all. what kinds are there? are you referring to encryption?

Dublin · 04-07-2008, 03:03 PM

SizzleChest, You should be able to check your signal strength,
On a mac " open internet connect" That's it, that's all.

On a pc " Click Start, then select Control Panel.
Click Network and Internet Connections. The Network and Internet Connections window opens. Click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens. Right-click Wireless Network Connection.
Select Status. The Wireless Network Connection Status dialog box opens. The meter registers the signal strength for wireless Ethernet on your notebook if other computers with the same network name are within range of your notebook."

Now I remember why I use a mac one click and your there.
For a speed test check this post.
http://www.yotatech.com/f5/cool-inte...ed-test-98170/

ciscojay · 04-07-2008, 03:21 PM

could be the router itself as well. A guy at work let me have his unused, old DLink wireless router that thing seemed to work okay, but I noticed that I'd drop every 3 min or so. Turned out that was some sort of bug in the firmware that forced a reboot of the router. The supplied patch never fixed it. Since then I went to a Linksys wireless-N and flashed it with DD-WRT opensource. Love it. If you can, have someone look at the router as you go down. I wouldn't point to the ISP just yet.

Brendan · 04-07-2008, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dublin

SizzleChest, You should be able to check your signal strength,
On a mac " open internet connect" That's it, that's all.

On a pc " Click Start, then select Control Panel.
Click Network and Internet Connections. The Network and Internet Connections window opens. Click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens. Right-click Wireless Network Connection.
Select Status. The Wireless Network Connection Status dialog box opens. The meter registers the signal strength for wireless Ethernet on your notebook if other computers with the same network name are within range of your notebook."

Now I remember why I use a mac one click and your there.
For a speed test check this post.
http://www.yotatech.com/f5/cool-inte...ed-test-98170/

oh, i see what you are referring to. there are 5 bars, and i always have 4 or 5 so the signal is not the problem. the router is a D-Link DI624 and from what i've read, it isn't very highly regarded at all.

Dublin · 04-07-2008, 03:51 PM

I would first try a hard start with both the router and modem. Unplug both for a couple minutes and then replug them in. it may take awhile for the modem to come around but this will sometimes fix an intermittent connection. You could also call your ISP they will probably ask you to do the same thing before or after resending your IP.

ciscojay · 04-07-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SizzleChest

oh, i see what you are referring to. there are 5 bars, and i always have 4 or 5 so the signal is not the problem. the router is a D-Link DI624 and from what i've read, it isn't very highly regarded at all.

OMG dude, that's the exact one I had the reboot problem with. It's the router. Look up DI624 reboots on google...many links regarding this problem. DLink offered a firmware upgrade to patch it, but it didn't work for me.

Brendan · 04-07-2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ciscojay

OMG dude, that's the exact one I had the reboot problem with. It's the router. Look up DI624 reboots on google...many links regarding this problem. DLink offered a firmware upgrade to patch it, but it didn't work for me.

but if i do a constant ping on the router, it never loses communication even when the internet connection drops. whatsupwithdat?

ciscojay · 04-07-2008, 08:41 PM

Then what do you mean by "lose your connection"? does it say that your wireless NIC has "limited or no connectivity" or you just can't surf web. If it's just web, do an ipconfig /all in a DOS window and check what DNS servers the router is giving you. You can hard set those DNS servers and isolate to see if it's a DNS issue. Just look at the router when you lose it, if it's the same problem you can actually see the LEDs go through a boot sequence. It reboots very fast, enough not to timeout your association to the SSID, but if the router is set to dynamically grab DNS and WANip info from the ISP you'll lose web until it resynchs.

I personally think that if you went to the ISP and complained they were dropping you every 5 minutes they'd spend a whole 30 seconds and look for packet errors on their switch and say that the problem isn't on their end.

You can eliminate that possibility by connecting directly to the ISP cable/dsl modem (high not recommended, but for temporary testing purposes only) and see if you drop the same way. It may take a call to the ISP anyway if they run sticky MAC port security on their switches.

Brendan · 04-07-2008, 10:16 PM

there is no actual loss or decrease in signal strength, but i can't browse the net, my msn messenger logs off and any downloads will abort. the DNS server shows the same address that i use to configure the router - 192.168.0.1. as far as looking at the router, that's not very easy for me to do right now. the door is locked to get upstairs and the people are fedup with trying to fix it.

Brendan · 04-13-2008, 07:08 PM

the people upstairs got a new computer and now my internet works fine...

Noltz · 05-04-2008, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ciscojay

OMG dude, that's the exact one I had the reboot problem with. It's the router. Look up DI624 reboots on google...many links regarding this problem. DLink offered a firmware upgrade to patch it, but it didn't work for me.

I'm glad your connection is okay now, but I had the EXACT same problem with the 624 router. Ditched it for a Linksys, working good for 2 years now.

My only thought was perhaps the upstairs users had some sort of issue with their PC that was choking the router. I know if I have a BitTorrent client running my wife's connection is terrible. We've tried both wireless and hardwired on her laptop. Doesn't matter though - I only turn it on at night.

Brendan · 05-04-2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noltz

I'm glad your connection is okay now, but I had the EXACT same problem with the 624 router. Ditched it for a Linksys, working good for 2 years now.

My only thought was perhaps the upstairs users had some sort of issue with their PC that was choking the router. I know if I have a BitTorrent client running my wife's connection is terrible. We've tried both wireless and hardwired on her laptop. Doesn't matter though - I only turn it on at night.

i was having the problem 24/7 though, even when the upstairs computer wasn't even on. the one possibility that i can think of is that when they swapped over to the new computer, the router was unplugged and rebooted. i had already tried this though...

04-06-2008, 07:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
DudeBud Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: WA ,monroe Posts: 1,886	what kind of signal are you getting. we need more info on what you are using __________________ Dan 95 4runner 3vze A/T 84 4runner sr5 Ford 302 T-18 4spd yota t-case yota front and rear both open 37X13.00 boggers 88 4runner 22re 5spd

04-06-2008, 08:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
ciscojay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 155	for the spy/malware, can't say enough about Spybot Search & Destroy. Free and really works well. Adaware is alright, I use it only for the Adwatch realtime feature. It did get rid of some spyware that Adaware couldn't find. For the wireless, do you know these people? There are so many possibilities why you're dropping connection, you need to add more info. If you're leeching off their hotspot, there's much less you can do to "tweak" it so you have better connectivity as opposed to having access to the Wireless AP/router. Google...there's a million sites for optimizing wireless. __________________ ~Jay 1998 3.4L 5spd Desert Dune Supercharged URD fuel upgrades // URD 2.1" // AMSOIL TS-115 // SPEC Stage 2+ // PP +1" // Magnaflow 24" // 2.5" custom catback // Airaid MIT // Scoop!

04-07-2008, 12:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
Brendan Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 2,117	the network was setup by a friend of the tenants upstairs who owns a computer business and sounds like he really knows what he is doing. i think the connection upstairs has the same problems so that could mean it's an ISP problem instead of a network problem, correct? as far as what kind of signal i'm getting, i'm not sure at all. what kinds are there? are you referring to encryption? __________________ 1992 "Truck" 1978 Land Cruiser FJ40 pig and elephant DNA just won't splice :( *DO NOT CLICK HERE* Last edited by Brendan; 04-07-2008 at 12:16 PM.

04-07-2008, 03:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dublin Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Appleton, Wi. USA Posts: 884	SizzleChest, You should be able to check your signal strength, On a mac " open internet connect" That's it, that's all. On a pc " Click Start, then select Control Panel. Click Network and Internet Connections. The Network and Internet Connections window opens. Click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens. Right-click Wireless Network Connection. Select Status. The Wireless Network Connection Status dialog box opens. The meter registers the signal strength for wireless Ethernet on your notebook if other computers with the same network name are within range of your notebook." Now I remember why I use a mac one click and your there. For a speed test check this post. http://www.yotatech.com/f5/cool-inte...ed-test-98170/ __________________ 94 4Runner 4x4, V6 Auto, Outlaw II's with BFG 33x12.5x15 on stock suspension (no lift), Kenwood KDC-MVP Sirius/MP3 player, Bushwacker extenda-flares, 1700 watt power inverter, Air intake mod, Radio Shack CB, GPS, Swing arm tire carrier, modified 1st gen Toyota 4Runner Rollbar, Aisin manual hubs, 87 inclinometer, Toyota Brush guard. Where ever you go, there you are. I started out with nothing & still have most of it left.

04-07-2008, 03:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
ciscojay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 155	could be the router itself as well. A guy at work let me have his unused, old DLink wireless router that thing seemed to work okay, but I noticed that I'd drop every 3 min or so. Turned out that was some sort of bug in the firmware that forced a reboot of the router. The supplied patch never fixed it. Since then I went to a Linksys wireless-N and flashed it with DD-WRT opensource. Love it. If you can, have someone look at the router as you go down. I wouldn't point to the ISP just yet. __________________ ~Jay 1998 3.4L 5spd Desert Dune Supercharged URD fuel upgrades // URD 2.1" // AMSOIL TS-115 // SPEC Stage 2+ // PP +1" // Magnaflow 24" // 2.5" custom catback // Airaid MIT // Scoop!

04-07-2008, 03:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
Dublin Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Appleton, Wi. USA Posts: 884	I would first try a hard start with both the router and modem. Unplug both for a couple minutes and then replug them in. it may take awhile for the modem to come around but this will sometimes fix an intermittent connection. You could also call your ISP they will probably ask you to do the same thing before or after resending your IP. __________________ 94 4Runner 4x4, V6 Auto, Outlaw II's with BFG 33x12.5x15 on stock suspension (no lift), Kenwood KDC-MVP Sirius/MP3 player, Bushwacker extenda-flares, 1700 watt power inverter, Air intake mod, Radio Shack CB, GPS, Swing arm tire carrier, modified 1st gen Toyota 4Runner Rollbar, Aisin manual hubs, 87 inclinometer, Toyota Brush guard. Where ever you go, there you are. I started out with nothing & still have most of it left.

04-07-2008, 08:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
ciscojay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 155	Then what do you mean by "lose your connection"? does it say that your wireless NIC has "limited or no connectivity" or you just can't surf web. If it's just web, do an ipconfig /all in a DOS window and check what DNS servers the router is giving you. You can hard set those DNS servers and isolate to see if it's a DNS issue. Just look at the router when you lose it, if it's the same problem you can actually see the LEDs go through a boot sequence. It reboots very fast, enough not to timeout your association to the SSID, but if the router is set to dynamically grab DNS and WANip info from the ISP you'll lose web until it resynchs. I personally think that if you went to the ISP and complained they were dropping you every 5 minutes they'd spend a whole 30 seconds and look for packet errors on their switch and say that the problem isn't on their end. You can eliminate that possibility by connecting directly to the ISP cable/dsl modem (high not recommended, but for temporary testing purposes only) and see if you drop the same way. It may take a call to the ISP anyway if they run sticky MAC port security on their switches. __________________ ~Jay 1998 3.4L 5spd Desert Dune Supercharged URD fuel upgrades // URD 2.1" // AMSOIL TS-115 // SPEC Stage 2+ // PP +1" // Magnaflow 24" // 2.5" custom catback // Airaid MIT // Scoop! Last edited by ciscojay; 04-07-2008 at 08:55 PM.

04-07-2008, 10:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
Brendan Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 2,117	there is no actual loss or decrease in signal strength, but i can't browse the net, my msn messenger logs off and any downloads will abort. the DNS server shows the same address that i use to configure the router - 192.168.0.1. as far as looking at the router, that's not very easy for me to do right now. the door is locked to get upstairs and the people are fedup with trying to fix it. __________________ 1992 "Truck" 1978 Land Cruiser FJ40 pig and elephant DNA just won't splice :( *DO NOT CLICK HERE*

04-13-2008, 07:08 PM	#13 (permalink)
Brendan Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 2,117	the people upstairs got a new computer and now my internet works fine... __________________ 1992 "Truck" 1978 Land Cruiser FJ40 pig and elephant DNA just won't splice :( *DO NOT CLICK HERE*

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