USB Wireless adapter cannot connect when part of a network bridge

[NelsonP]

I have a computer with two connections: the on-board ethernet port and a USB
wireless connection. I use the wireless one to connect to the internet as
the modem/router is in another part of the house.

I'm looking to bridge the two connections, but whenever I do this, the
wireless connection loses connectivity. If I remove it from the bridge,
connectivity returns to normal almost immediately.

I've done a little research on creating network bridges in XP (I have media
center edition), but none mentioned what to do if the bridge cuts off the
wireless connection.

If I've left out any necessary information, please let me know.

And Thank you all for your time.

 

[Steve Winograd [MS-MVP]]

I have a computer with two connections: the on-board ethernet port and a USB
wireless connection. I use the wireless one to connect to the internet as
the modem/router is in another part of the house.

I'm looking to bridge the two connections, but whenever I do this, the
wireless connection loses connectivity. If I remove it from the bridge,
connectivity returns to normal almost immediately.

I've done a little research on creating network bridges in XP (I have media
center edition), but none mentioned what to do if the bridge cuts off the
wireless connection.

If I've left out any necessary information, please let me know.

And Thank you all for your time.

This Microsoft Knowledge Base article has a possible fix:

Bridge May Not Work With a Non-Promiscuous Mode Network Adapter
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302348
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Desktop Experience)

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[NelsonP]

Thanks so much for looking at this.

I actually already tried that approach, but the card was enabled by default.
The force compatibility had no effect.

I wonder if this could be on the right track though. The symptoms on this
page describe my problem exactly. Is there a related setting that could be
causing a problem at the NIC? Do you think that the problem likely lies with
the NIC?

 

[Steve Winograd [MS-MVP]]

Thanks so much for looking at this.

I actually already tried that approach, but the card was enabled by default.
The force compatibility had no effect.

I wonder if this could be on the right track though. The symptoms on this
page describe my problem exactly. Is there a related setting that could be
causing a problem at the NIC? Do you think that the problem likely lies with
the NIC?

You're welcome. I don't know of any setting except the one in the
article.

Does the network bridge get an IP address, default gateway, DNS
server, etc? Can you ping web sites by number or by name?

Does it work if you disable and then enable the wireless NIC after
creating the network bridge?

Can you find out anything by doing a web search for "your-NIC-model
network bridge"?
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Desktop Experience)

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[NelsonP]

I don't get an IP, gateway, DNS, etc.

I've tried doing a connection repair after creating the bridge, which I
believe disables and re-enables the NIC.

I haven't tried that search yet, but I'll certainly give it a shot. Good
idea.

 

[Jack-MVP]

Hi
Bridge to where?
A second NIC can be bridged only if it is connected to a second independent
Network.
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)

 

[NelsonP]

I've tried a few more things and still have been unable to resolve this.

The on-board ethernet port is going out to an xbox 360.

Also: my router is using a MAC filter, so that only computers that we
designate can use our network. Would the router recognize the network as an
invalid MAC? I didn't think this would be a problem originally because I
figured that the MAC for the wireless wouldn't change, but I'm completely
running out of ideas here.

 

[Jack-MVP]

Hi
If you think that the MAC filter has anything to do with it disable it until
you finish.
Establish a connection between the Computer and the Xbox using statics IPs
that are not on the same subnet as the Wireless.
Make sure that you have a working connection between the X-Box and the
computer.
Under this situation both the Wireless, and Wire to the X-Box must work but
the X-Box would not talk to the Wireless Network.
If it looks OK, switch On the Bridging, you want to use Bridging Not ICS.
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking).