Computer help- Wireless Networking

ubiquity0 · 09-09-2004, 12:42 PM

Does anyone have experience w/ WiFi cards going bad? I’m having difficulties with my PC laptop (Windows XP) which I think are stemming form the Orinoco Mini PCI card (802.11b). The problem varies with different networks. At home the computer will see the network, but not connect to it. I have tested another laptop (802.11g external card) which works fine. At work the computer sees the network, but as soon as I open the Wireless Network dialogue showing the list of available networks Windoze begins freezing intermittently. Once I am finally able to enter the network key / password to connect everything is fine- good connection.

I have tried reinstalling the drivers & have updated to service pack 2 to no avail. I’m thinking of just buying an external 802.11g card & disabling the internal one, or does it sound like something else is causing this?

Saintly · 09-09-2004, 01:44 PM

Hi,
The trouble shooting i would do would be to first re-install the drivers (allready done), then try the card in another pc (if available), then if you can shift your data that you want to keep off your PC i would try re-installing windows from scratch (i.e. format the disk drive and start again).
i know the last one is drastic but sometimes it is a lot faster to just start again (assuming it is a software issue).if a freash install doesn't work then it would be a hardware issue, but now you have a nice clean install to add a new card to so it all works out fine.

Also, try moving the card to a different PCI slot.. sometimes the slot can go bad.
I also wouldn't be putting SP2 on as a fix as it can kill some programs and drivers. i would wait a little while for driver updates and programs to compensate for SP2. SP2 does work on most PCs but i have read quite a few stories about SP2 woe.

84porsche · 84porsche's Garage

Have you tried running your wireless network without network key/password. I know security is open but see if it helps. I had an issue with a laptop dropping signal every now and then. You may also want to consider a signal booster at home.

Moses · 09-09-2004, 01:56 PM

Mac Airport Extreme

Saintly · 09-09-2004, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Moses
Mac Airport Extreme

Isn't that just the base station that he connects to, not the card / device that he can use to connect to the existing network(s)?

I Agree with 84P, test with a short term drop in security settings, but if it was working before then my guess is that it's either a windows thing or the card is fried.

Moses · 09-09-2004, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Saintly
Isn't that just the base station that he connects to, not the card / device that he can use to connect to the existing network(s)?

I Agree with 84P, test with a short term drop in security settings, but if it was working before then my guess is that it's either a windows thing or the card is fried.

Airport works with any 802.11 g networking card. I have both PCs and Macs on an Airport. Airpots tend to be less "buggy".

Icemaster · Icemaster's Garage

What kind of machine? I'm a little confused, you're talking about a mini-PCI card, but also an onboard? Can you physically remove the Orinoco card or is it internal to your system?

Does it have an onboard (wired) network port? Dell's have an issue with some wireless cards. You sometimes have to disable the onboard NIC as Winblows will try to pull an IP address from the diconnected NIC.

Ask me how I know. I've seen this on Compaq's as well, but not Toshibas.

You could always buy an Apple...

ubiquity0 · 09-09-2004, 05:20 PM

Thanks for the ideas guys.

The laptop is a Gateway M500 with "internal mini-PCI device", so its not removeable.

I tried running without a network key set at home, but still no connection. Whats really weird is how the computer 'reacts' differently to each of the 2 networks I'm using.

I guess I have to think about reinstalling windows. Maybe I'll pickup a new 802.11g card on the way home tonight to try first. My new neighbor seems to have a 802.11g access point setup without a network key, so even if it turns out my card (device?) is not the problem it won't be a waste of money.