WiFi network is driving me nuts

[MikeB]

I need some help.

My home is such that all my broadband to myPCs has to be wireless (the
only place they could connect the cable was in an obscure, upstairs
bedroom).

In general this has worked just fine. I have 3 PCs currently connected
to the network, One desktop and a laptop running XP and my new
laptop running Vista (new is relative, I've been having this problem
since January 2009 when I got the Vista laptop).

The two XP machines connect to the network just fine. Occasionally,
when I work on the desktop, I'd see a notification icon that it has
connected to the network, but in general I have no interruptions to my
network connections.

The Vista machine (Vista Ultimate, SP 2) is a nightmare. the WiFI
connection keeps dropping. Additionally, often it would report that
the network is connected, but in reality, nothing is reachable and I
have to disconnect/connect to the network before any Internet site is
reachable.

Now there are 3 components that I suspect:
1. The wireless card (Intel 5300AGN)
2. Vista itself
3. Something about my network setup

If it was external, I would expect to see the other SP machines also
suffer connection problems. If this is not a valid assumption, please
disabuse me of that incorrect notion.

What I do see, and completely don't understand is the information in
the notification area for the network icon.

Sometimes my network is displayed as bluegrass Access: Local and
Internet ("bluegrass" is my network name), other times the network
is displayed as

Identifying (bluegrass) access: Local and Internet

and still other times it is displayed as

Unidentified network (bluegrass) Access: Local and Internet

A few times even the network displayed as

bluegrass 2: Access Local and Internet

None of this is displayed in my Windows XP machines

Who/what is responsible for identifying the network, what role does
that play in access to the network and how can I go about
troubleshooting this issue?

I'm planning to migrate wo Win 7 purely as a result of this issue, but
I guess I may commit a heinous act if it turns out that the problem
was in the hardware of my machine and migrating does not resolve this
issue.

 

[Gordon]

2. Vista itself

It's Vista. There are many posts on the internet about Vista "just doing
this" and there's no cure other than XP or Windows 7 or one of the free OSs.
I had exactly this with Vista Home Premium - no problems at all since August
using Win 7 on the same hardware....

 

[LVTravel]

I need some help.

My home is such that all my broadband to myPCs has to be wireless (the
only place they could connect the cable was in an obscure, upstairs
bedroom).

In general this has worked just fine. I have 3 PCs currently connected
to the network, One desktop and a laptop running XP and my new
laptop running Vista (new is relative, I've been having this problem
since January 2009 when I got the Vista laptop).

The two XP machines connect to the network just fine. Occasionally,
when I work on the desktop, I'd see a notification icon that it has
connected to the network, but in general I have no interruptions to my
network connections.

The Vista machine (Vista Ultimate, SP 2) is a nightmare. the WiFI
connection keeps dropping. Additionally, often it would report that
the network is connected, but in reality, nothing is reachable and I
have to disconnect/connect to the network before any Internet site is
reachable.

Now there are 3 components that I suspect:
1. The wireless card (Intel 5300AGN)
2. Vista itself
3. Something about my network setup

If it was external, I would expect to see the other SP machines also
suffer connection problems. If this is not a valid assumption, please
disabuse me of that incorrect notion.

What I do see, and completely don't understand is the information in
the notification area for the network icon.

Sometimes my network is displayed as bluegrass Access: Local and
Internet ("bluegrass" is my network name), other times the network
is displayed as

Identifying (bluegrass) access: Local and Internet

and still other times it is displayed as

Unidentified network (bluegrass) Access: Local and Internet

A few times even the network displayed as

bluegrass 2: Access Local and Internet

None of this is displayed in my Windows XP machines

Who/what is responsible for identifying the network, what role does
that play in access to the network and how can I go about
troubleshooting this issue?

I'm planning to migrate wo Win 7 purely as a result of this issue, but
I guess I may commit a heinous act if it turns out that the problem
was in the hardware of my machine and migrating does not resolve this
issue.

Have you gone to the computer manufacturer's web site and/or Intel's to
download the latest drivers for you network card. Not knowing your laptop
manufacturer, I note that Intel has drivers for a 5300 series wireless
device that is from June this year. Don't know if this exactly matches your
device but it may be a fix for your issue.

 

[Gordon]

Have you gone to the computer manufacturer's web site and/or Intel's to
download the latest drivers for you network card. Not knowing your laptop
manufacturer, I note that Intel has drivers for a 5300 series wireless
device that is from June this year. Don't know if this exactly matches
your device but it may be a fix for your issue.

It may - however, I had this same problem so I also installed all the latest
Wifi drivers, firmware for the WAP etc etc and still had the problem.
Funnily enough, using either Win 7 or Ubuntu there was NO problem......
Which leads me to the inevitable conclusion that it's a Vista "feature"....

 

[MikeB]

Have you gone to the computer manufacturer's web site and/or Intel's to
download the latest drivers for you network card.  Not knowing your laptop
manufacturer, I note that Intel has drivers for a 5300 series wireless
device that is from June this year.  Don't know if this exactly matchesyour
device but it may be a fix for your issue.

I have a Lenovo T500 laptop. I have an up-to-date driver from Lenovo's
website. But valid suggestion. Thanks.

 

[MikeB]

It's Vista. There are many posts on the internet about Vista "just doing
this" and there's no cure other than XP or Windows 7 or one of the free OSs.
I had exactly this with Vista Home Premium - no problems at all since August
using Win 7 on the same hardware....

Well, At least Win 7 is around the corner. At least after I spend
anohter $200, I get to know whether it is the OS or not.

 

[Gordon]

Well, At least Win 7 is around the corner. At least after I spend
anohter $200, I get to know whether it is the OS or not.

Well Win 7 fixed it for me!

 

[Jim]

My money is on the idea that this the result of wireless signal problems
(even if the signal is always "excellent"). My laptop is less that 50 feet
from the router. Most of the time, the network stays up. However, every
now and then it will not stay connected. The only correlation I can see is
the weather.
Jim

 

[rak]

What about nearby interference? 2.4 wireless phone anywhere around?

 

[MikeB]

What about nearby interference?  2.4 wireless phone anywhere around?

Yes, we also have a microwave oven. However, at the time of signal
loss, neither of these are being used. Also, the machines running XP
(my control group) does not shift in/out of network access
continuously.

 

[Gordon]

Yes, we also have a microwave oven. However, at the time of signal
loss, neither of these are being used. Also, the machines running XP
(my control group) does not shift in/out of network access
continuously.

As I posted - it's a Vista "feature" - there are many others with the same
incurable problem. I had the same problem with Vista - NOTHING cured it. The
problem did NOT exist with XP, Windows 7 or Ubuntu on the same hardware
connecting to the same network. It's a VISTA "feature".

 

[MikeB]

As I posted - it's a Vista "feature" - there are many others with the same
incurable problem. I had the same problem with Vista - NOTHING cured it. The
problem did NOT exist with XP, Windows 7 or Ubuntu on the same hardware
connecting to the same network. It's a VISTA "feature".

Gordon, thank you, I get it. However I'd like to explore alternatives
as well.

 

[rak]

I have a mixed 802.11n network. Windows 7 RC1, XP MCE 2005, Vista x86 and
also 64 bit vista. They all work equally as well. The only problem I've
had is with a print server not working with the x64 Vista and that's a
Linksys driver issue. I would expect network setup or the wireless card,
but since it works some of the time, it would seem to rule out the setup.
Have you tried the pc in question on other networks public or private? Same
problems?

 

[MikeB]

I have a mixed 802.11n network.  Windows 7 RC1, XP MCE 2005, Vista x86 and
also 64 bit vista.  They all work equally as well.  The only problem I've
had is with a print server not working with the x64 Vista and that's a
Linksys driver issue.  I would expect network setup or the wireless card,
but since it works some of the time, it would seem to rule out the setup.
Have you tried the pc in question on other networks public or private?  Same
problems?

Yes, same problems, unfortunately.

What I really would like is a methodology to troubleshoot whether it
is the card or Vista or the IP stack or....

I don't see much in the event logs for the system. Perhaps there is
more tracing I can turn on?

Also, what does the Unidentified, identifying.. and (I presume)
identified, named network mean?

 

[rak]

Don't recall if you have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the wireless
driver from device manager. If not that might help. Otherwise, if you go
to microsoft.com and search on troubleshooting wireless networks you will
find lots of links that may give you some ideas. Although it is primarily
xp based, this might help as a start. Good luck.

"Intermittent Connectivity
In some cases, it is possible to initially obtain a successful connection,
but the wireless connection is automatically disabled or disconnected
without user intervention. The most common causes are the following:
.. 802.1X authentication is enabled on the wireless client and not the
wireless AP
.. Duplicate wireless network name
.. Sources of signal interference
.. Sources of signal attenuation
.. Computer viruses
.. Faulty hardware or outdated wireless network adapter drivers
802.1X Authentication is Enabled on the Wireless Client and Not the Wireless
AP
By default, 802.1X authentication is enabled on all wireless and wired
network connections. In Windows XP SP1, Microsoft changed the authentication
process for wireless networks. If 802.1X authentication is enabled and
802.1X authentication does not complete properly, the connection is dropped.
This typically happens three minutes after the connection has been made
using open system authentication.
To correct this problem for computers running Windows XP with SP1, do the
following:
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Network Connections.
2. In Network Connections, right-click your wireless connection and then
click Properties.
3. Click the Wireless Networks tab.
4. Under Preferred networks, click your wireless network name, and then
click Properties.
5. Click the Authentication tab, and then clear the Enable IEEE 802.1x
authentication for this network check box.
6. Click OK twice to accept the changes.
This procedure is typically not required for computers running Windows XP
with no service packs installed or Windows XP with SP2. However, it is
usually a good idea to verify that 802.1X authentication is disabled when
you are using open system authentication. For Windows XP with SP2, use the
previous procedure. For Windows XP with no service packs installed, do the
following:
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Network Connections.
2. In Network Connections, right-click your wireless connection and then
click Properties.
3. Click the Authentication tab, and then clear the Enable network access
control using IEEE 802.1x check box.
4. Click OK to accept the changes.
Duplicate Wireless Network Name
One of the reasons for intermittent connectivity is that your wireless
network name has been duplicated with another separate wireless network
within range of your wireless clients. For example, you might live in an
apartment building and your wireless network overlaps with another wireless
network with the same wireless network name above or below your apartment.
In this configuration, all of the wireless APs that are advertising the same
wireless network name are considered as belonging to the same wireless
network. In this case, it is possible for your wireless client to choose the
wireless AP of another wireless network over your own wireless APs. If your
wireless client is not configured for the authentication method and keys of
the other wireless network, then you can experience intermittent
connectivity problems, until your wireless client chooses one of your
wireless APs again.
Duplicate wireless network names can result when multiple wireless networks
are set up using the default wireless network name as configured on the
wireless AP. To prevent this problem, always change the default name of the
wireless network when initially configuring the wireless AP.
To verify that your wireless network is not being duplicated by another
wireless network that is within range of your wireless clients, disable or
turn off your wireless APs. Then, use a computer running Windows XP to scan
for the available wireless networks. If your wireless network name appears
in the list of available networks when your wireless APs are turned off,
then you have a duplicate wireless network name. Reconfigure your wireless
AP for a new and unique wireless network name (also known as an SSID).
Sources of Signal Interference
Just as sources of signal interference can cause a lack of connectivity,
they can also cause intermittent connectivity problems when the device
causing the interference is running. Devices such as microwave ovens, baby
monitors, and cordless phones can cause intermittent wireless connectivity
problems when they are running.
To determine whether a source of signal interference is causing intermittent
connectivity loss, try to correlate the times of connectivity loss with the
times that a device causing signal interference is being operated. For
example, does the connectivity loss occur whenever someone uses the
microwave oven or when the baby monitor is turned on in the evening?
Sources of Signal Attenuation
Just as sources of signal attenuation can cause a lack of connectivity, they
can also cause intermittent connectivity problems when the object causing
the attenuation is moved. To determine whether a source of signal
attenuation is causing intermittent connectivity loss, try to correlate the
times of intermittent connectivity with the times that an object that might
cause signal attenuation is moved. For example, does the intermittent
connectivity occur whenever someone opens the large metal door between the
garage and the kitchen?
Computer Viruses
Some computer viruses are known to cause intermittent connectivity problems
for wireless connections. Ensure that you have the latest antivirus
signature for your antivirus software and perform an antivirus scan of your
entire computer to eliminate this possibility.
Faulty Hardware or Outdated Wireless Network Adapter Drivers
Another cause for intermittent connectivity is that the wireless AP or the
wireless network adapter is faulty. This issue can be difficult to
determine. Run any diagnostic facilities of your wireless AP or wireless
network adapter to determine that they are operating properly. Ensure that
you have installed the latest version of the wireless network adapter driver
in Windows XP."