WUSB11 + BEFW11S4 Issues

[Jawa]

Hey guys..

I'm trying to help a friend with her wireless issue. She has a Linksys BEFW11S4 (v.2) wireless router and a WUSB11 wireless-B USB (v2.6) adapter.

The wireless connection will work fine, and then randomly drop during downloads or just randomly drop for no reason at all.

Also -- the wireless connection will not work unless I broadcast the SSID. It will not detect it even if I manually create a wireless connection in XP with the SSID. I am using WEP 64-bit encryption. The encryption works fine.

I have tried two different wireless routers (identical Linksys v.2 routers). Both routers are upgraded to the latest firmware from the Linksys site.

Her computer is running XP Professional with SP2. I just formatted it for her today.

Any suggestions as to why her connection keeps dropping? The router and the wireless USB adapter are no more than 30 feet apart on the same level in her house.

Thanks guys. :)

[cat5e]

1. A lot of the old 802.11b do not work if SSID isOff.

That the way it is, if you can not live with it you should buy newer Hardware.

2. 30 feet with one or two walls and a little noise, and an old USB1.1 Wireless card will not be stable.

:cool:

[Jawa]

Originally posted by cat5e
1. A lot of the old 802.11b do not work if SSID isOff.

That the way it is, if you can not live with it you should buy newer Hardware.

2. 30 feet with one or two walls and a little noise, and an old USB1.1 Wireless card will not be stable.

:cool:

Thank you for your reply.

The signal strength is Very Good to Excellent. I would think that signal stability shouldn't be the culprit here. :(

This is relatively new hardware, too.

Thanks to anyone else who may have a solution.

[Midknyte]

try disabling the wireless zero config service. if it doesn't work, try this fix:

http://www.overclockers.com/tips1190/

[Jawa]

Originally posted by Midknyte
try disabling the wireless zero config service. if it doesn't work, try this fix:

http://www.overclockers.com/tips1190/

I will try that as well.

If I can just get the Linksys utility to run under Windows XP with no problems, I would use that and disable the WZC as I would have much more control with the Linksys utility.

She had no problems under Windows 2000 with the older computer. Because of technology, I want to keep her on Windows XP.

It seems to be that I need to:

1. Enable SSID Broadcast and do 64-bit WEP
2. Disable WZC
3. Uninstall all previous Linksys software.
4. Unplug the WUSB11 device.
5. Restart.
6. Install the Linksys config utility from their website.
7. Restart the computer. Plug in the WUSB11.
8. Create a new profile using the Linksys utility and put in the wireless settings (WEP Key, channel, etc.)

I remember using the Linksys utility under Windows 2000 and it was a great tool.

I just need it to work under XP! :(

[cat5e]

You are on the right track and hopefully every thing will work well.
Originally posted by Jawa
Thank you for your reply.

The signal strength is Very Good to Excellent. I would think that signal stability shouldn't be the culprit here. :(The real determent of good Wireless (Any type of Wireless communication) is Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR).

Excellent signal as read by the primitive means of Wireless software utilities is a product of the relevant signal and the noise at the applicable 2.4GHz channel.

I.e. you might measure Excellent = 40% signal + 60% noise.

And that would be a reason for frequent disconnections.

Link to: Wireless - Basic Configuration. (http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Config.html)

Link to: Wireless Security. (http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html)

Link to: Extending the Distance of Entry Level Wireless Network. (http://www.ezlan.net/Distance.html)

:t