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802.11g (WiFi) Router works sometimes

18 years ago

I have two notebooks, one a Gateway with a built-in 802.11g, and one an older HP with a PCMCIA 802.11g adapter. When I installed my DSL Router with 4 Ethernet ports and one 802.11g WiFi port/antenna, I used the Gateway using an Ethernet port. After installation I noticed the Gateway also "saw" the WiFi and connected, sort of, the signal is there, but it can not communicate with the router.

I left the gateway on the Ethernet, leaving the WiFi no-op for another time, next I powered up the HP laptop with the adapter, used the provided CD to install the adapter, guess, don't remember, I gave the name of the router and the WiFi worked perfectly, giving the HP access to DSL and to the Ethernet connected network elements.

I welcome any pointers to how to best trouble shoot the Gateway WiFi.

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Comments (6)

mikie_gw
18 years ago
You probably don't want to be connected with both a wired eithernet connection & the wifi adapter connection at the same time on the same laptop. \ The wired nic connection has a higher priority level.

You have a ethernet only Router? And a seperate wifi access point plugged into on if the routers lan ports?
jerry_nj
Original Author
18 years ago
No, I have a Netgear Router with 4 Ethernet Ports, a Modem port and an antenna. I have problems getting the WiFI on the Gateway to connect even if the Ethernet connection is pulled. Not sure I tried rebooting after pulling the Ethernet plug. Can try that too, but haven't yet, deciding to answer your (mmikie) question first.
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mikie_gw
18 years ago
Might need to reboot the router.
If it works just sometimes, the fact that it does work makes me think you might have a poor/weak signal because of distance, walls, or some other interference.

Might have a neighbor on same channel and that signal might be enough to mess up just the one computer.
jerry_nj
Original Author
18 years ago
Sorry about my "imprecise language: works sometimes" I was referring to works on HP doesn't work on Gateway. Both have been tested within 10 feet of the Router.
mikie_gw
18 years ago
XP should pop a window at windows start up asking which connection to connect to, then once you select your ssid, it should then ask you to type in the security key.
\ Mostly when I see people fixing their wifi connection it is they screwed up on the security key with a typo and I swear,,, my computer purposely makes type.O's all on its own when typing those keys so I try to copy/paste them in.
jerry_nj
Original Author
18 years ago
Right, while you were helping (I'm not fully comfortable yet) I tried with a boot with the Ethernet disconnected. The notebook came up with the wireless detected and a strong signal seen, but would not work and when looking at the "view all wireless networks" a note advised: Windows can not configure this wireless connection....something about if some other program in control, or look at article 871122 in MS Know ledge base. Before doing that I went back to the Broadband Wireless Utility, this comes active on boot and is the software associated with the built-in wireless adapter in the notebook, it appears. So, this must the reason MS couldn't configure. Looking at the various dialog boxes associated with the Broadcom I re-entered the Network Key. I figured I knew it, and noted the number of "*" in the boxes were one character short of the key I remember. So I re-entered the key, and the WiFi started working, I'm using it right now. Thus, I've removed while typing my discomfort noted at the start of this post, it is the Broadcom software that is in control and I made an error when I first tired to activate, wrong key just as you, mikie, suggest. Thanks.

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