Problem with wireless network?

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

OK, so I'm working on my bro's nice lil' HP laptop (dv1000) and just about every ten minutes, the computer decides to change wireless networks and move to a neighbor's. I'm sitting right next to my wireless router (well, the other side of the wall) and I'm getting an excellent signal and strength with 5 bars.

This has all been happening ever since I dropped back to WEP rather than WPA-PSK. The reason why I did this switch is because my retarded Linksys gaming adapter won't support WPA-PSK, but it'll support the A-band (WTF?).

It just changed right now. Changed from my network to my neighbor's. Pisses me off. Any help or ideas?

And sometimes, when it's connected, it says it's not connected but works. Weird.

[yurimxpxman]

Originally Posted by wtcnbrwndo4u

OK, so I'm working on my bro's nice lil' HP laptop (dv1000) and just about every ten minutes, the computer decides to change wireless networks and move to a neighbor's. I'm sitting right next to my wireless router (well, the other side of the wall) and I'm getting an excellent signal and strength with 5 bars.

This has all been happening ever since I dropped back to WEP rather than WPA-PSK. The reason why I did this switch is because my retarded Linksys gaming adapter won't support WPA-PSK, but it'll support the A-band (WTF?).

It just changed right now. Changed from my network to my neighbor's. Pisses me off. Any help or ideas?

And sometimes, when it's connected, it says it's not connected but works. Weird.

What OS is this?

[Stormcrow]

I just set up a wireless network, and had the same problem. Windows XP had an issue for me on my sig computer, at first it would connect but show as no connection available, then connect to the router but not to the internet. The problem was my adapter was randomly losing it's network address to the router when I had it on WEP, and then it would scan for another signal. I changed to WPA-PSK, and it works just fine. Try disabling the encryption and connecting that way. If the problem clears up after the WEP is disabled, then thats it. Another thing is that if your using custom drivers for the WiFi adapter that has it's own network connector, then Windows Zero Configuration with screw it up. Thats what caused the No Connection Found on mine but I still had internet access. Try disabling WEP first, and if that doesnt work then see if the computer uses Windows built in manager or its own.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

I just set up a wireless network, and had the same problem. Windows XP had an issue for me on my sig computer, at first it would connect but show as no connection available, then connect to the router but not to the internet. The problem was my adapter was randomly losing it's network address to the router when I had it on WEP, and then it would scan for another signal. I changed to WPA-PSK, and it works just fine. Try disabling the encryption and connecting that way. If the problem clears up after the WEP is disabled, then thats it. Another thing is that if your using custom drivers for the WiFi adapter that has it's own network connector, then Windows Zero Configuration with screw it up. Thats what caused the No Connection Found on mine but I still had internet access. Try disabling WEP first, and if that doesnt work then see if the computer uses Windows built in manager or its own.

Yuri, it's XP SP2 Home.

I think I've already tried that and that was the problem I believe. But the thing I don't get is it works dead fine on the other laptop (Dell 1470 wireless - BTW, nearly the same card) and my desktop (ZyXel MIMO PCI card). Then again, they both run Vista.

So, it's either change to WPA and lose the functionality of an adapter or move to Vista?

[PrOLifIC_onE]

Assuming you have XP, this is how you solve it. Right click on your wireless icon down by the clock (bottom right). Click on View Available Wireless Networks. Then in the left menu click on Change Advanced Settings. This will bring up a Wireless Network Connection Properties window. Click on the Wireless Networks tab. On this page you will see your list of possible connections in the Preferred Networks box. By default they are all preset to connect automatically as you will see in 'automatic' in parenthesis after the name of each network. For all connections that you wish to NOT automatically connect to, you will want to change to 'manual' , hence, leave the one router that you want to always connect to as 'automatic' and everything else to 'manual.'

Change a wireless network (router) to Manual by clicking on a network in the box, highlighting it, then click Properties. This will bring up a new window showing the properties for that particular connection (router). Click on the Connection tab, then UNCHECK the box next to 'Connect when this network is in range' then click OK. If you have multiple networks listed, repeat the process in this paragraph as much as necessary until you have them all changed to Manual.

You also have to repeat this in the future if you change areas, or if networks are added to your area in the future. Just right click the wireless icon by the clock and click View Available Wireless Networks to see if any new ones appear.

You will still be able to connect to these networks but will have to do it manually in the future. The computer/laptop will NOT automatically connect to those networks in the future.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Yes, I've already done that, but the laptop refuses to STAY connected. It loses signal every 10 minutes or so. It refuses to stay connected and proclaims that it is in fact not connected in those 10 minutes, but I can browse the net just fine.

I don't have this problem with another network (neighbor's).

[PrOLifIC_onE]

ok, so you are not changing networks anymore?

so its disconnecting for a fraction of a second then reconnecting and you are getting that annoying popup bubble down by the clock?

[Dr. V]

That's what seems to be happening.

It may be that your laptop is trying to switch between available wireless networks, and it keeps dropping for that split second and connecting back to its original assigned network. Somewhere within the settings there should be some options making your network DEFAULT and AUTOMATIC, and making all others needed to be connecting ONLY when you choose them. I see prolific's tutorial helping you a lot, but I guess it did nothing.

I'm quite perplexed now.

There's gotta be a way to disable all the other ones from even being considered.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Well, now it won't connect to others automatically, but it just drops the connection permanently without notification. No reconnection.

I'm mooching off the neighbor again... haha.