Wireless connections dropping - ready to throw this garbage out the window - HELP!

From: Marvin G (marvin_at_msgtech.ca)
Date: 10/22/03 

Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2003 22:59:40 GMT

You know, it shouldn't have to be this hard.

I have a Motorola cable modem, Netgear WG614 router with 3 Xps and 2 Win
98's. One of the 98's has a wireless Netgear WG 311card - my first attempt
into the wireless world.

I brought all machines into the same room, and got shared internet access on
all machines, and shared files in all directions on all machines. I used
TCP/IP for everything, and for the wireless, I blocked SSID, restricted MAC
addresses and used WEP encryption. Life was good. I thought I did good!

Then I put the machines in their respective rooms thoughout the house, and
hell began ; the wireless started dropping the connection.

I checked the manuals and the forums, and rolled my sleeves. I moved my
router to the other side of the room so its away from the large filing
cabinet and its now raised. It is now, LINE-OF-SITE to the wire less card,
about 30 feet away.

There is no excuse for this not to work.

I changed MTU for 1500 to 1492 (per one suggestion), upgrade firmware,
disabled WEP (per another suggestion), reduced port speed to 10M. Signal
still drops out ; sometime I can even connect at all. Even if I did , I
would have a slow, unsecured connection!!!!

One suggestion I read said to use static IP addresses. Sounded simple
enough. I attempted to do that, but got nowhere, and am pulling out my hair
now.... any help would be appreciated and I'm now ready to move into a
monastery - like I said - it shouldn't have to be this hard.

On the router, what to I do?
===================
1) There is a setting "Get Dynamically From ISP" . I assume I still leave
this on as my ISP requires it.

2) There is a setting to "Use Router as DHCP Server" as well as a spot to
reserve IP addresses for each connected machine ( by its MAC Address,
machine name and desired IP - which is what I assume I want for 'static IP).
I thought I would turn DHCP off at this point, but the manual says using the
reservations means that "that PC will always receive the same IP address
each time it accesses the DHCP server. " which implies I should leave the
DHCP server enabled!

On the XP machines, what do I do?
=======================
1) Under Services, if I turn off DHCP service, most everything stops working
( cant open router menu, not internet access etc), so I left it automatic

2) Under LAN -TCP/IP properties, I tired deselecting 'Obtain an IP address
automatically", and specified an IP address, (eg 192.162.0.X), a subnet
mask(255.255.255.0) and a default gateway (192.168.0.1), but again this
either cause loss of file sharing or loss of internet.

On the Win 98 machines, what do I do?
=======================
Under Network - TCP/IP I tried deselecting 'Obtain an IP address
automatically", and specified an IP address, (eg 192.162.0.X), a subnet
mask(255.255.255.0) and a default gateway (192.168.0.1), disable WINS and
DNS, and rebooted, got the IP address I expected, nut it didnt help my loss
of connection problem.

I put everything back the way it was and just left the reserved IP addresses
in the router - it is indeed assigning the IP addresses I specified, but I
dont think this is what was meant by static IP addresses, and they are still
being assigned by the router...and I still have no connection.

I guess its time to bring the unit back into the same room as the router to
double check it still works, but assuming it does, why wont the friken thing
work 30 feet way ???

So bottom line, I'm ready to give up and throw all this garbage away ( not
really - but I sure feel like it). I had a wired Netgear RT314 for years and
it was great - this wireless world was a big mistake for me and now I'm out
lots and lots of dollars.

ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS LEFT?

Sorry for the long rant!

Marvin

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