Intermittant Wireless Connection

[darthbrooks]

Hey,
I just networked 2 computers at my home. I used the XP wizard to set up internet connection sharing on the one computer and set the other up as a client. The wireless cards are Blitzz Netwave, 11Mbs, 802.11b, I have them set up as peer to peer and have connectivity between the 2 computers. I tried to use the XP wireless connection utility without any luck, so I installed the software utility included with the product. I have no problem accessing files from one computer to the other, the client computer is able to access the net through the computer with the modem. Everything seems to be setup correctly but the actual connection between the 2 seems to be suffering. One web page will load quickly from the internet connection and then the next will not. I can see files on the other computer but when I try to open a 30kb word file on the other computer it won't load after 5 minutes of trying to open. The connection between the 2 is definately hit and miss. The network icon is constantly flicking on and off, half on etc. Can anyone help me figure this one out? The computers are approximately 40 or 50 feet apart.

Thanks,
Darth

[NDD]

First thing - be sure everything under "Authentication" tab in your LAN properties is UNchecked

[sbob420]

is this just a peer to peer wireless network or through a router?? if through a router which blitzz model

[darthbrooks]

It's set up as just peer to peer, no router. I'll check the authentication tab and make sure everything is unchecked. I'm using the software program that came with the card. It doesn't have an authentication tab, I don't think. I'll do a little research and make sure all authentication tabs are unchecked. Will it be a factor if I'm using the blitzz software and it doesn't have an authentication tab? I didn't have any luck with the XP wireless program. I'll do a little research and post again with the results, thanks for the suggestions. :0)

[NDD]

The authentication tab is > start-settings-control panel-network connections-right click on your rellevant Local Area Connection-Properties-here goes the authentication tab ;)

[darthbrooks]

The authentication tab is grayed out with "authenticate as computer when computer information is available checked" I've played around in there trying to uncheck but the whole window is grayed out. I have the "Use Windows to configure my wireless settings" unchecked and am using the Blitzz Wireless Utility. I tried checking the "use windows to configure" button and adjusting the authentication page but it is still grayed out. When I initially used Windows to manage my wireless connection I could not connect to the other computer at all. I then installed the Blitzz utility and the computers were able to see each other and access folders. It's just the connection seems hit and miss. Thanks for the help ND, I need it. :0) LOL

Darth

[darthbrooks]

I don't know if it's helpful or not but in the blitzz lan utility under "auth mode" Auto is selected. The other choices are "open authorization" or "shared authorization" ND, let me know if you'd prefer me to try to configure with Windows or the Blitzz utility. Whatever works is fine by me. :0) Thanks again.

Darth

[darthbrooks]

Uninstalled the blitzz lan utility on both computers and received the following error on both machines "failed to open the registry key!\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class{4D36E9 72-E325-11CE-BFC-08002BE103}18}\0010 Uninstalled the cards and reinstalled using XP networking utility. Will post again in a few secs after I reboot this one and reinstall.

Darth

[darthbrooks]

Reinstalled cards and drivers etc. Tried to network together using the XP wizards. Nada. Getting a couple of old nic cards out of the garage, drilling a couple of holes and running cable under the spider, snake infested crawl space is looking more and more promising all the time. LOL

Darth

[darthbrooks]

And the plot thickens. :0) It was not an empty threat. I disabled the wirlesss adaptors, enabled the internal nic cards on both computers and hooked a cat5 cable to both adaptors. I have a little familiarity with this process so I was confident about my impending success. Both computers displayed error. "Network cable unplugged"on the LAN connection for the internal nics. Checked connection, used another cable, both devices look good in device manager. I don't think the internal nics have connection lights. Connected the one computer to another and was able to connect. Narrowed the problem down to the Compaq Presario 2.53G XP Home. Tried to ping 127.0.0.1. Nada (I was able to ping this, the computers ip address and the other computer when I was testing the wireless connection) Uninstalled Nic but it showed up on reboot, plug and play didn't locate it. Went to delete the IP stack in the Lan connection properties. The IP stack will not uninstall. The button is grayed out. That doesn't seem right. :0) I think I uninstalled the Client for Microsoft and when I went to reinstall I got the following message "Windows was unable to find drivers for this device. Popped in an XP Pro disk (the compaq did not come with XP Home CD) and tried to give the computer what it wanted without any success. I'm not familiar with the whole Compaq deal. I imagine that the drivers I'm looking for must be installed somewhere on the disk but why can't the computer find them. :0) I think I may have located the problem, what can I do to fix it?

Thanks,
Darth

[darthbrooks]

Forgot to mention: the internal nic is a Realtek RTL8139/810X Fast Ethernet Nic. Is windows looking for the IP stack or the drivers for the Nic?

Thanks,
Darth

[darthbrooks]

Hey Guys,
I was successful getting my 2 computers networked this weekend. (see Intermittant Wireless Connection below under DarthBrooks)I plugged both computers into my hub and the problem was immediately resolved. I know this may be a stupid question but I have to ask. I didn't change anything as far as computer configurations. Why did I get the "network cable is unplugged" error when I connected the 2 computers directly with the cat5 cable and then when I connected them both through the hub they both worked perfectly. Same network cable (one of them anyways) Thanks in advance.

Darth

[kwebb]

You need a crossover cable when connecting two computers directly, NIC to NIC. Two pairs are crossed, 1&3, and 2&6.

[darthbrooks]

Thank you very much Kwebb. :0) I knew it was a stupid question. But I sure did need to hear that answer. Thanks again.

Darth