Internet connectivity issues..

AirCanuckAirCanuck London, Ontario New
edited June 2011 in Science & Tech
Hey guys,

as usual I turn to my favorite group of computer gurus to try and solve my latest super fun issue. (I think this is in the right section)

SO:

Basically my wireless connection on my computer is the most unreliable piece of shit ever. Thing is, no other computers have a problem with it, and I know the internet connection is good because my xbox has a wired connection and it has no problems.

Basically I'll be online one minute, and then 'connected with limited access’ or network but no internet or whatever. If I right-click and choose 'diagnose' I get a message saying your modem or modem is not available. I have the options to automatically get new IP settings for the network adapter ‘wireless network connection’ or reset the network adapter ‘wireless network connection’. I try both of these until my fingers fall off and then randomly it will say 'the problem has been solved' or something along those lines and I'm back online. SO frustrating.

I'm fairly certain it's the computer, not the router that is the problem. Any ideas? It's an old dell and certainly not without it's issues/quirks. In fact, it has happened again while I was writing this, so now I’m finishing it in Microsoft word and waiting for the internet to work again. Huzzah!

Thanks in advance,

AirCanuck

Comments

  • shwaipshwaip bluffin' with my muffin Icrontian
    edited March 2011
    Try changing the wireless channel to 1 or 11.
  • AirCanuckAirCanuck London, Ontario New
    edited March 2011
    I have no idea how to do that.. or what it means. Yes, I'm embarrassed.
    <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">
  • shwaipshwaip bluffin' with my muffin Icrontian
    edited March 2011
    what router do you have?
  • TushonTushon I'm scared, Coach Alexandria, VA Icrontian
    edited March 2011
    and what network card are you using in the computer? Right-click on My Computer, select manage, go to device manager, network adapters.
  • AirCanuckAirCanuck London, Ontario New
    edited March 2011
    My card is:
    Dell Wireless 1505 Draft 802.11n WLAN Mini-Card

    My router is:
    SMC Networks, SMC8014WN

    Frustrating thing is this issue comes and goes. Now it's working fine on a continuous basis, but then it will randomly have a bad few hours where the problems occur.
  • shwaipshwaip bluffin' with my muffin Icrontian
    edited March 2011
    Here's the link to the manual:

    http://www.smc.com/files/AN/UG_SMC8014WG.pdf

    Search for "wireless channel" to see where it is in the router's menu, and try changing it from 6 (the default) to 1 or 11.
  • TushonTushon I'm scared, Coach Alexandria, VA Icrontian
    edited March 2011
    Try what shwaip said, possibly check about updating to the latest driver for your network card if you aren't already on it (it is from 2007). Link (I'm assuming you are on XP since that is what it defaulted to and you said it is an older computer).
  • AirCanuckAirCanuck London, Ontario New
    edited March 2011
    actually I'm on Vista - is that going to matter for that link?

    *EDIT* No, it didn't matter.

    got the latest wireless driver and changed the channel to 1. Before that it wasn't even on a channel, it was just on 'automatic'. Hopefully this works!
    <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited March 2011
    Do you have an android smartphone? There's a fantastic free app called "wi-fi analyzer" that can help you find conflicts with wireless networks, including crowded channels. I recommend it.
  • AirCanuckAirCanuck London, Ontario New
    edited March 2011
    hey prime :) long time - hope you're well!

    Unfortunately I have a blackberry... ah, regret.
  • TushonTushon I'm scared, Coach Alexandria, VA Icrontian
    edited June 2011
    Spamming spamming, spamming the day away
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