Wireless Networking Issues

[malethed]

I have two wireless networking issues I'd like help with. I'm assuming both problems have to do with my router and it's setup.

1. I run three computers, my desktop pc (server), my wife's desktop pc and a laptop. Most of the computing I do is on my desktop pc, therefore most of the files I work with on a day to day basis are stored in a "Data" partition on this computer. You can see the specs for the three computers below.

I used to run a Linksys BEFSX41. Never had a problem. I recently decided to enter the wireless zone in order to use my laptop in a roaming capacity. So I switched out the BEFSX41 for a WRT54G.

I was working on the laptop, accessing files on the "server". I had no problems. For some reason or other, I rebooted the laptop. I was unable to access the "server". I went to the server and attempted to ping the laptop. No luck.

I went back to the laptop and attempted to ping the server. No luck. I attempted to ping my wife's desktop from the laptop. Success!

I rebooted the laptop and was then able to access the server. I started testing the system. Out of five reboots, I was able to access the server twice. Any ideas?

2. As I stated earlier, I access files on the server via the laptop. One file I access at least daily is my Microsoft Money file. It's a file I have been using for 10 years and it has grown to 35 MB.

Usually when I open the file via the laptop, I am able to execute any option within the blink of an eye. I can move from one account to another, download statements, or backup with no hesitation or noticeable lack of speed.

When accessing different accounts in Money, not only does one get the account's register, but a cash flow forecast for the account as well as any upcoming bills. In other words, a lot of information is being processed.

As I continue to work in Money, things begin to slow down. What once took a fraction of a second can sometimes take minutes. Usually the entire episode ends in an "unable to read file" error. I then have to try to close out the file and reboot, hoping I'll be able to access the server.

Any ideas?

Linksys WRT54G v4 Firmware v4.20.6
WPA Personal, AES
Motorola SB4100 Cable Modem

192.168.1.100 (Server)
ASUS A8N-SLI Premium
AMD Athlon64 XP4000+
2GB Kingston PC3200
(2) Western Digital Caviar SE 160 GB
RAID 0
BFG GeForce 6600
Onboard Nvidia nForce 4 Gigabit Ethernet
Windows XP SP2

192.168.1.101
IBM ThinkPad R50
Intel Pentium M 1.5GHz
1GB Kingston PC2700
OEM 40GB HDD
ATI Radeon 7500
11 a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter
Windows XP SP2

192.168.1.102
ASUS A7N8X Deluxe
AMD Athlon XP 1800+
512MB RAM
(2) Maxtor DiamondMax 20GB D740X
ATI Radeon 7500
3Com 3C920-EMB Integrated Fast Ethernet Controller
Windows XP SP2

[YeOldeStonecat]

Double check the Windows firewall on your wireless adapter? Make sure file & print sharing are allowed in the exceptions? UPnP, Remote Desktop too.

Is your "server" XP Pro? If so..suggestion....Remote Desktop from your lappy to the server. Once you start using Remote Desktop..you're hooked. Wonder feature. Accounting applications....especially the newer ones these days..tis better not to use them across a network unless they're a full multi-user version. As that file gets larger..more prone to corruption..in the single user versions.