Router and Laptop Connection Problems

[Michaela]

Hello,

I have a Netgear DG834G router (with internet supplied through AOL) and a Compaq Presario CQ60 running Vista Home Basic with an Atheros AR5007 802.11b/g WiFi Adapter.

When I got the laptop, I connected to my newtork as it was already there from using it with my desktop, and it worked al fine and dandy for about a month and a half/2 months. Then at the beginning of June, once a day/every couple of days, my connection would slip from Access: Local and Internet to Access: Local, and chuck me off the net.

I have spent countless hours on the phone to AOL and to PCWorld, but it is still happening. I have changed the channel of the router, did something with the DNS Cache and Winsock reset, and moved the router and so on. I have even checked that my laptop was recieving an IP address okay because they said that could be a problem - it was. Now I'm kind of at a loss. From the connection logs I *think* we have established that it is the Router and Laptop losing connection, not the Router and the Internet.

I just don't know what to do. I can follow the instructions I am given but I don't know how to solve the problem as I am not extremely technical minded. Obviously, I can't check straight away if the solutions work as it doesn't disconnect all the time, I would just like some advice and solutions as to what COULD solve it and be happening so any help you could give would be greatly appreciated.

[YeOldeStonecat]

What make/modem "modem" is the router connected to?

The next time your laptops seems to fall off the network...can you do another test? Plug the laptop into one of the LAN ports of your router using an ethernet cable..give it a minute..and see if you can surf.

[Michaela]

I don't really know what you mean by make/model

If I plug in the ethernet cable, I can get online straight away

[YeOldeStonecat]

The brand...like...a Motorola Surfboard 5100 cable modem.

If you can get online right away by plugging an ethernet cable from a LAN port of your router to the NIC on your laptop...than the modem and connection can be assumed to be fine. So we can focus on your wireless connection now....between your laptop, and the wireless access point that's built into your router.

Generally making sure your router has the latest firmware will improve any compatibility issues you might have, so try updating the firmware.

Making sure your wireless SSID is unique...incase you have a neighbor with the same brand running the default SSID.

Are you running security...WPA or higher?

Try channel 1 or channel 11

I don't see any proprietary modes for that wireless....such as "Turbo" or "108" speeds...but in case yours has that feature...disable it. Also if yours has the wireless client isolation mode...try disabling that.

Now your laptop has the Atheros wireless chipset...to be honest...I'm not fond of that one, I've had quite a few problems with clients laptops that run on Atheros. Make sure you have the latest drivers installed for that wireless NIC. I looked on Compaq/HPs site..but need more details on your specific model number. I did find a link from last Oct on HPs support forums.
ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp39001-39500/sp39403.exe

Do you have a more detailed model number on the laptop?

[Michaela]

It says Netgear DG834G 54 Mbps ADSL Modem Router v3

I have no idea what updated firmware is. I can definitely say I have never done that in the 3/4 years that I have had the router. How do I go about that?

Yes, my SSID is unique and I have WEP.

For the Atheros thing, would it be better to go back to a Netgear adapter? When I was using a desktop on this network, I used an adapter and didn't seem to encounter any problems like this. Obviously, when I got the laptop, I started using this.

How exactly do I disable the client isolation mode and if it has the other speeds, them?

The I believe the model number is Compaq Presario CQ60218EM AMD142

[YeOldeStonecat]

Firmware is basically the operating system of the router. Every several months or every year or so, the makers of the unit release a newer version..which often adds performance, features, stability, compatibility, fixes bugs, etc.

To upgrade your firmware...you download the latest version from the manufacturers website..
http://kb.netgear.com/app/products/family/a_id/1288

You download the firmware file..save it to something like your desktop.
Log into the routers web admin....and somewhere usually around the advanced settings or management you'll find a page for updating the firmware. There will be a little browse button which brings up windows explorer...browse to your desktop..select the file you downloaded...and upload it. Watch a progress bar or something take approx 30 seconds or so...and then it will complete and the router will reboot.

Now..."usually" upgrading the firmware versions will save/migrate your settings..such as your PPPoE login for the DSL, your wireless settings, your routers web admin password, etc. However once in a while, especially if your current version if very old and the upgrade makes it jump a hole bunch of versions...it may revert the router to factory default settings. So it's best to be familiar with your setup, and document your settings. Especially the PPPoE username and password.

I also recommend upgrading your wireless security to WPA...increased security, easier to setup, better performance. May find it cures your wireless issue..who knows.

Those other wireless settings...like isolation mode, are found in your routers web administration. Making it "G only" may help too, instead of B/G.

When I say the routers "web admin"...that's the administration/setup page of the router, such as when you log into it with your web browser at 192.168.0.1

[Michaela]

I'll give it a go! I've never done it so it can't hurt. I think I have all the things wrote down, but I'm going to write it down from the configuration before..

Do I plug in the ethernet cable while doing it?

[YeOldeStonecat]

Do I plug in the ethernet cable while doing it?

I would..nice solid connection beats an occasional flakey wireless connection. :nod: You want to eliminate any chance of corruption while this happens..since it can technically "brick" your router (meaning break it).

You'll see the warnings about it possibly breaking your router...yes it can happen. But it's slim....I've upgraded firmware on literally hundreds of routers over the years...I've only seen one or two tank..and they were having issues in the first place like beginning to have hardware failure.

If you have any questions before performing this....please feel free to ask. As the weekend goes by I'll be online less often though, gotta grab some sunlight out there while it lasts (I'm sick of all this rain).

[YeOldeStonecat]

Oh yeah...as a last resort...if all the above fails you....I would be curious to see if using the other Netgear wireless adapter solves your problems. If you go test that, ensure you disable the Atheros wireless.

[Michaela]

Nope, I don't think I have any questions, I'll give it a go and see if helps combat the connection issue! Thanks for the help!

[Michaela]

Well the update is done, and I didn't get any problems - luckily it didn't delete my settings even though I wrote them down. I guess it'll be a few days until I know for sure if this has stopped the problem.

Random question...do I have to keep the firmware download on my desktop?

If this hasn't (please please please have worked router!) I will definitely try the Netgear adapter! Thank you so so much! You've been so much more help then anyone else I have spoke too!

[YeOldeStonecat]

Cool..glad the update went smoothly. When you log into the routers web admin...somewhere (usually on the first main page or status page)...you'll see what version firmware the router is running. Comparing that with what you downloaded will confirm the upgrade went correctly.

You can delete that firmware image file that you downloaded, it's no longer needed.

[Michaela]

Yep! It went through. It was quite a jump.

Thanks. I'll delete that then...I'm a bit OCD about organisation and that transends to my computer!

[Michaela]

And just when I thought everything was going well, we have a power cut and it goes back to Local access only....buuut I have excellent signal now...I really do not understand! I'm going to PC World on Thursday and am going to buy an adapter and try it out (we need one anyway) but does anyone have anymore suggestions?

[Michaela]

Would getting a new router be a good idea? As I mentioned this is three to four years old

[YeOldeStonecat]

There's always a possibility that some part can be broken..such as the router. In my experience though, more often than not..when a router goes...it goes..kaput...dead. The fact that you can plug your PC into it with a patch cable and get online fine makes me lean towards "it's not the router".

Did you try channel 1 or 11?
And bumping the security up to WPA?
And making the wireless run in "G Only" mode?

[Michaela]

Already on channel 1, and if I put it to WPA is it just the same as when I set up the WEP? And yeah, G Mode

[YeOldeStonecat]

Already on channel 1, and if I put it to WPA is it just the same as when I set up the WEP? And yeah, G Mode

Yeah, in the wireless section of the web admin, a drop down menu around security...select WPA, make up your passphrase...something like m1cha3la09

Then once applied...give it a minute to reload the wireless..then go to your laptop and run through the reconnect sequence.

[Michaela]

Okay, will try that.

[Michaela]

It just disconnected, but it was only for a few seconds. Hmmm. I'm emailing AOL to ask if my adapter is compatible

[YeOldeStonecat]

Cordless phone in your house? Or if you live very close to neighbors....
Many cordless phones run on the 2.4 frequency...which most B/G wireless also runs on. Pickup the phone..use it..and //slice your wireless clients often drop.

[Michaela]

I think changing the security has caused me more problems...whenever it connects it goes straight to Local. Argh! This is so frustrating!

[Michaela]

We do have a cordless phone, but we have had the same phone the entire time we have had the router/wireless in the same position and it has never caused us any problems.

I am so close to the point of throwing the laptop! I'm thinking I am going to HAVE to get a netgear adapter to plug in - just to see. Maybe take the laptop with me to PC World on Thursday