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Recurring Wireless Problem

post #1 of 15
4/12/04 at 3:33pm
Thread Starter 
I have already contacted technical support previously, but can't RMA the notebook, besides, i don't think they will be able to replicate this problem.

i am connecting to an unprotected wireless 802.11b network at school. the problem has been really bad today. everytime after restarting the computer, the only way i can see the network to connect to is to disable the wifi adapter via Fn F7. after a couple seconds, i will reactivate it, and it will join the network properly. after that i obtain an ip address manually via ipconfig /renew.

ok, here's where it get's REALLY irritating. while using the computer, a minute after i've joined the network and browsed, my connection will die. the send light on the network status icon will remain lit while the recieved will remain dark. when i move my mouse over the icon to see if i'm connected, it says i'm connected. when i double click, a window pops up for a split second. when i ipconfig, nothing happens, when i ipconfig /release (/renew) nothing happens. i have to disable the adapter via Fn F7 and reactivate it to get a connection again, but it keeps dying

last time i was on the campus wirless network, i would lose the connection every once in a while, but after i disable and re-enable, it would be fine.


i don't have this problem when i'm at home, and it's really irking me.



i can't RMA my notebook until the summer, and even then, i'm not too hopeful that they will be able to replicate my problem


p.s. my wirless connection is excellent with a speed of 11 Mbps
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post #2 of 15
4/12/04 at 3:35pm
Thread Starter 
C:\Documents and Settings\kidv>ipconfig

Windows IP Configuration

An internal error occurred: A device attached to the system is not functioning.

Please contact Microsoft Product Support Services for further help.

Additional information: Unknown media status code.
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post #3 of 15
4/12/04 at 3:46pm
Kid: I have the same problem and coincidentally began a new thread on the very same basis as yours last night!! Hopefully we both get this sorted out. I'll be watching your thread, and monitering how things work out. Right now i plan on trying ipconfig /renew to see if i get the same thing. So far EVERYTHING you have stated is very straightforward with my problem, EXCEPT that when i hover over the two computers it still tells me that i am connected. Upon double clicking it the status window only appears for a fraction of a second. Anyway, keep us informed. LAters!

peace

edit: did your server just change over to 802.11 G recently ? Cause that is what i am blaming the problem on, as i was able to connect fine previous to them changing the servers. are you at CU? lol!!
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post #4 of 15
4/12/04 at 3:48pm
Thread Starter 
zacharac, that is exactly what is happenning right now. i don't know why it didn't do it when i was writing the message, but i will modify my original post. i saw your post and skimmed it, maybe i should have read it completely. at least i feel better knowing it's just not my computer.
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post #5 of 15
4/12/04 at 3:52pm
Thread Starter 
is your wireless network secure or not? my house is, and i have no problems, also when i was at my aunt's house, i configured her network and it was secure, no problems also for the most part. i might have had to disable and re-enable once, but after that it was rock solid

my school network is insecure
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post #6 of 15
4/12/04 at 4:01pm
Thread Starter 
ok, this time i had the status window open, and my connection went to 5.5 mbps just before it disappeared when i was no longer able to browse. ARGH!
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post #7 of 15
4/12/04 at 4:25pm
Kid, luckily, you will not have to RMA the whole laptop. Sager supports sending in the wireless module alone if you feel comfortable removing it. It is really quite easy to remove. It is under the keyboard on the upper left (your left - facing the computer). I actually removed mine and sent it to Sager because I was seeing similar symptoms in my house where I have 2 wireless access points. For the fun of it, you might try using a cheapo PCMCIA card and see if it works any better. I had an old DLink card and used it and all problems vanished. I have since removed the internal card for good. It seems to work great for some people, but lousy for others. YMMV. I am keeping it as an emergency backup solution.
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post #8 of 15
4/12/04 at 4:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by eludwig
I actually removed mine and sent it to Sager because I was seeing similar symptoms in my house where I have 2 wireless access points. For the fun of it, you might try using a cheapo PCMCIA card and see if it works any better. I had an old DLink card and used it and all problems vanished. I have since removed the internal card for good. It seems to work great for some people, but lousy for others. YMMV. I am keeping it as an emergency backup solution.
Agree, here. While integrated wireless solutions seems, in theory, convenient, they can often have hard to diagnose difficulties.

Have a spare DWL-650 (802.11b) I could temporarily loan/lease/sell/etc, for testing purposes, if you are interested. Always nice to help out a fellow Sager owner.
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post #9 of 15
4/12/04 at 9:54pm
Thread Starter 
i might take you up on that offer actuary. actually, i had to RMA my lappy for another problem with my screen where it will fluctuate between dim and normal whether i adjust the screen or not.
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post #10 of 15
4/13/04 at 12:01am
I still think the problem is with the school's network. Now I hear its unprotected that sets off alarm bells. You problem may be XP's integral firewall. It will persistantly come on if connected to anything it considers unprotected.

Try looking at your XP firewall and see if its engaging on your school networks. Especially if the other networks you are connecting to without problem are secured and these aren't.

I mean, look at the situation, it worked before they changed the network. It works with other networks. You haven't changed anything. With that scenario, its very, very probable the problem is with the school network. I'd ask about their security settings as well as all other settings. If any little thing isn't right, wireless doesn't work.
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post #11 of 15
4/13/04 at 12:05am
Thread Starter 
nope, the MS firweall is not enabled. even though the network infrastructure itself is insecure, that should not affect the connectivity. i have a friend with a laptop and a PCMCIA card, and he has none of hte problems that i'm having which leads me to believe it's something to do with the adapter or the drivers when encryption is not enabled
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post #12 of 15
4/13/04 at 4:42pm
Thread Starter 
it IS the network. one of my friends with an IBM thinkpad and a netgear wifi card is having the same problems. i will ask a few other people if they are having the problem, but it seems to have something to do with this AP!
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post #13 of 15
4/13/04 at 5:03pm
yeah, i know two people with the same (?) netgear wifi G card and they can't connect either... are you sure you are in the same building as me?? lol!!
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post #14 of 15
4/13/04 at 5:08pm
Thread Starter 
hahaha, do u go to UMBC?
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post #15 of 15
4/13/04 at 5:12pm
Thread Starter 
i gave the un-help-fuldesk a call, and they said that they are having problems with their servers. she must have thought i was some lame cuz she was telling me they are having problems with their dailup servers. i'll leave it at the fact that they are having network problems, and give them a week from monday to correct it before i go ask the CIO what's going on.
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