A wireless question for you savvy technical types

[Watson]

Ok, here's my problem. Over the years I have tried numerous times to keep my desktop (a 2006 eMachine...swanky, no?) on a wireless internet connection since it cuts down on wires, means I don't have to buy extra modems, etc. However my computer just seems to refuse to stay connected. It will disconnect after about 5 minutes and I have to sit there hitting repair a million times. I know for a fact its not the wireless system itself, because on the various systems I have attempted to connect to over the year other people have been able to connect with both desktops and laptops and had no issues. I've also taken it in twice and the tech guys found absolutely no problems.

So my question. Is this normal? Or is there something I can do to my computer to make it more wireless friendly? Or should I just suck it up and by a spliter and a modem for my own room?

I guess I should add that I run windows XP and that I connect to wireless through the computers system, not through the program that was provided with my USB wireless key. I don't know if that makes a difference or not.

Any help would be very much appreciated

 

[Malice]

Ok, here's my problem. Over the years I have tried numerous times to keep my desktop (a 2006 eMachine...swanky, no?) on a wireless internet connection since it cuts down on wires, means I don't have to buy extra modems, etc. However my computer just seems to refuse to stay connected. It will disconnect after about 5 minutes and I have to sit there hitting repair a million times. I know for a fact its not the wireless system itself, because on the various systems I have attempted to connect to over the year other people have been able to connect with both desktops and laptops and had no issues. I've also taken it in twice and the tech guys found absolutely no problems.

So my question. Is this normal? Or is there something I can do to my computer to make it more wireless friendly? Or should I just suck it up and by a spliter and a modem for my own room?

I guess I should add that I run windows XP and that I connect to wireless through the computers system, not through the program that was provided with my USB wireless key. I don't know if that makes a difference or not.

Any help would be very much appreciated

OK....
I am going to offer a few thoughts..

1) There is a service on the Windows PC called Wireless Zero Configuration, try DISABLING it and then reboot, and see how that works.

Tell me if that helps...

 

[Watson]

err, I can't seem to find that program. I looked pretty exstensively through my programs but it's not coming up. Is there a particular place I should be looking?

 

[Malice]

err, I can't seem to find that program. I looked pretty exstensively through my programs but it's not coming up. Is there a particular place I should be looking?

Its what is called a "service"
Its not a "program" per say.

Goto START > RUN > type in SERVICES.MSC

A program opens up, and look to the right side...find the Wireless Zero Configuration, (double click on it) and set it to DISABLED...
Reboot and test it.

 

[Watson]

Well I tried to disable it (in fact there were two disable options which I tried seperately and then together) and it hasn't resolved the problem. Anything else I can do?

 

[Kable24]

OK first thing.
What router are you using?
When you setup the router did you just log into it by opening Internet Explorer and typing in the address bar 192.168.1.1? This is the easiest way to setup your router. Also you may want to check out how your wireless security is setup. It might be possibly that your firewall is booting you off. Your wireless card on your desktop may be FUBAR too.

 

[Watson]

The router was included in the modem we got from our internet provider. The name on the modem is Ewire. As I recall I just put in my wireless g usb adapter and I started getting a signal (I don't have a wireless card in the computer so I had to buy the USB adapator). I don't think I ever set up anything up. Should I try doing that?

 

[Kable24]

No.

What about updating the firmware of the USB adapter?

I did a quick search and from the couple of sites I went to, this seems to be a common problem with wireless usb adapters with none offering a fix.

I'd contact the tech support of the usb adapter and see if they have any ideas.

 

[Watson]

hmmm that sounds like a good idea. I will. Thanks so much for the help malice and Kable!