Wireless connection dies

[DontStayHome]

We recently got cable internet (Comcast), so I set up the modem and everything works fine on our desktop PC. After getting all of that set up, I installed a wireless router (Netgear MR814v2, 802.11b). I installed the router according to instructions and everything still works on the desktop (which is wired to the router, not wireless).

I'm having problems with my notebook's wireless connection, though. (IBM Thinkpad T40, 802.11b built-in). The connection seems to start and stop, even though the signal is good. In the attached screenshot, you can see that the signal strength is acceptable, but frequently the radio icon with the green lines disappears, then reappears. Web pages fail to load after clicking on links, so you must time your refresh in order to "catch" the signal and get the page to load. Also, when using AIM, I will get no messages for a minute, then all of a sudden five messages will come at once.

All of these symptoms go away when I connect to the router through my NIC. I've tried changing the channel on the wireless router and unplugging/moving our cordless phone. I am certain that the problem is with the wireless network, not the cable internet, and I am pretty sure it's not a signal strength issue, because the same problems occur whether I'm 20 feet or 3 feet from the router.

Any more suggestions? If I can't fix it, my next step will probably be a call to Netgear. I can provide any additional information. Thanks for any help.

[stardj]

Among another big issue I have with my wireless d-link router, I also have this issue too. My IBM Thinkpad is running windows 2000 and the signal is around 80% but the connection freezes up after a while. I am using the default channel for the router and have also tried other channels to no avail. The router is a d-link 514 and the PCMCIA card is a d-link DWL-650
If you find out anything let me know. Hopefuly somebody can help the two of us.

[Midknyte]

don't hijack other peoples' threads please. :mad:

did you enable any encryption or other security settings? if so, disable them until everything is running well.

did you try disabling the wireless zero config service? if your nic comes with its own software, then the WZCS can sometimes cause problems.

are you sure you nic is in infrastructure and NOT adhoc mode?

[DontStayHome]

All of the encryption/security settings are disabled and I am in infrastructure mode. What is the wireless zero config service?

[Midknyte]

http://www.theeldergeek.com/wireless_zero_configuration.htm

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=wireless+zero+service

[DontStayHome]

I turned off the wireless zero service, and it seemed to help a little bit, but the connection still stops frequently. It is most noticeable when using AOL Instant Messenger. While I'm talking to someone, I type some messages, and according to the recipient, they see them in real-time, but their messages back to me don't come through, there's a delay and then they all "flood" back to me at the same time.

I also tried disabling my ZoneAlarm firewall, didn't help.

Any other ideas?

[Midknyte]

did you reset your router?

did you update the drivers for your nic?

did you try updating the firmware on your router?

[Midknyte]

I found this article:
http://www.overclockers.com/tips1164/

[DontStayHome]

My dad's laptop with his wireless card was working on the network, so I installed a USB wireless adaptor on my notebook and last night everything worked perfectly. I guess there's an incompatibility between my built-in adaptor and the router, or my adaptor is dying, but I'm happy to use the USB adaptor and avoid the hassle. Thanks for your help Midknyte.