Member Avatar for Bully

Hello everyone :) (new Daniweb user here)

I'm currently experiencing some wlan issues. My computer is using an 3com usb adapter (3CRUSB10075) adapter with newest drivers installed. I've also tried with an SMC wireless PCI adapter, and that was even MORE unstable than the 3com adapter. I got a Linksys WRT54G router.. The settings on the router is as follows :

- DHCP
- WPA2 encryption (have tried with no encyption)
- Broadcasting SSID
- Channel 11 (have tried different channels)
- no mac filter
- UPnP enabled

I also got a laptop from Dell which i use only half a meter from the other computer, and i get 100% excelent signal strenght and i'm on all the time. The strange thing is that i have tried to take the 3com USB adapter into my laptop, and then i get full signal strenght. I have even tried to put my laptop on the floor right beside the stationary computer, and no change, still got excelent signal. It seems that the signal is only poor in my stationary computer, even if i change cards. I've also tried to take the router almost right beside the stationary computer, and STILL dont get 100% signal, tho it was a bit better.

Both computers is running Windows XP SP2 with newest updates.

Anyone got any clue what can do this?


Thanx in advance

Bully

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by netvance

Dani AI

Generated

Useful follow-up to the suggestions from , and — a focused checklist of host-side checks and measurable diagnostics that often find causes of a single-PC wireless problem.

Common host checks (hardware and power)

  • Prefer rear motherboard USB ports over front-panel ports. A short USB extension cable that places the adapter outside the metal case is a cheap, high-yield test. A powered USB hub isolates marginal USB power from the PC.
  • Disable USB power-saving for each USB Root Hub (Device Manager) and update motherboard chipset drivers and BIOS if they are old.
  • Remove any leftover vendor drivers/utilities completely before reinstalling the wireless driver. To expose hidden devices in Device Manager:
    set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
start devmgmt.msc

Radio and placement diagnostics

  • Run a Wi-Fi scanner to map local access points and channel congestion, then try the adapter outside the case and with the antenna oriented differently. Temporarily power off likely 2.4 GHz interferers (cordless phones, microwave, baby monitors) while testing.
  • Check the adapter/antenna connectors for looseness and inspect the PC case for large metal panels or additional cards that could shield RF.

Logging and controlled tests

  • Capture a continuous ping while reproducing the drop to quantify packet loss and latency:
    ping -t <router_IP>
ipconfig /all > network_info.txt
  • Inspect System/Event logs for adapter disconnects, and test the adapter on another machine or a live OS to rule out OS-level issues.
  • Clean reinstall of wireless utilities often fixes conflicts between Windows and vendor software.

Final notes

  • Firmware or BIOS updates can help (as noted by ) but should be done only after backing up configurations and following vendor instructions. If these steps do not isolate the fault, a fault in the host USB subsystem or intermittent EMI from internal components is likely and warrants deeper hardware inspection.

Recommended Answers

All 3 Replies

Member Avatar for LoafOfBread34

Thats a very odd issue. When your signal goes down, can you still ping the router? (Typcially or ) I am not experienced with wireless, but maybe there is a issue with other software such as viruises/adware/spyware? Try running Adaware, Spybot SD, and a free virus scan if you dont own one. (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/)

Member Avatar for reezin14

Do you think that it could be the USB ports on the computer itself.Check them with another USB product and see if they work.

Member Avatar for netvance

Please update the WLAN WRT54G to the latest firmware, then it´s possible to set the channel to AUTO, this will help in surroundings with multiple "foreign" WLAN Access Points and stabilize your connection.

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