Wireless Network Unuseable

[Skavenger]

I need some help solving a wireless network problem.



I have set up a Peer to Peer Adhoc wireless network.

Running Windows XP Pro

My main PC has a Buffalo PCI Wireless card.

My second PC is a Compaq Laptop with a Buffalo WLI-CB-G54S Wireless PCMCIA
Card

Have not installed Buffalo's own Wireless Software



Problem:

Network coverage is very intermittent, more on than off!! Even when PC is
sat next to Laptop.



Network Diagnostic Check:

I attempted to check the Network by carrying out the following diagnostics.

Loop Back check OK on both

Ping own IP OK on both

Ping Network PC IP - here's where the problems begin, see below:



User Accounts

When logged in as a user with limited access Pinging own IP failed.

When Logged in as a User with Administrator privileges Pinging own IP
worked, does a user need to be logged in as Administrator? As limited
account cannot Ping own Card IP



Intermittent Response

When Pinging Network IP's the response is intermittent sometimes out of four
Pings I get very slow response, 4ms - 1399ms, usually out of four two time
out.



Login

When attempting to access the PC with user accounts set up will the network
work if the other PC is switched on but no one is logged in.



Network Stumbler

Reports much of the same graph results across a time span show no coverage
or Grey Yellow & occasional Green.



When starting Network Stumbler it switches off Wireless Zero G and a red
cross appears on the Wireless Icon in the Task Bar, I take it this is so it
does not see your own wireless card



Other Items

When Network Stumbler is running and Network Wireless Zero G is stopped if
you open a Windows Browser My Network Places/Entire Network/Microsoft
Windows Network is visible but clicking on Microsoft Windows Network gives
no response.

When I quit Network Stumbler and Wireless Zero G restarts I have noticed
that in Windows Explorer My Network Places is visible but not expandable
I.E. Entire Network and Microsoft Windows Network is not there??



When checking IP Config WNS Proxy is not enabled, should it be?



In Wireless Zero G Config Properties I noticed NDIS I/O Protocol mentioned,
I recently tried out a freebie firewall "Sygate Personal Firewall" which
kept reporting NDIS I/O as attempting to access the network not knowing what
NDIS I/O was I told the firewall to block access, this firewall has now been
uninstalled but how do I check that NDIS I/O is operating OK.

 

[Jim]

Any chance you're using WZC (Windows Zero Configuration) and have SSID
broadcasts disabled?

Jim

 

[Jim]

http://arstechnica.com/guides/askars/wifi-drop.ars

Jim

 

[Skavenger]

Yes I am using WZC however how do you check whether Broadcast SSID is
diasbled
I read the article you pointed to.

One thing I have noticed is that the Network Connection now Connected bubble
keeps appearing, I take thats because WZC drops and restarts the
connnection.

 

[Jim]

Yes I am using WZC however how do you check whether Broadcast SSID is
diasbled
I read the article you pointed to.

If you're in infrastructure mode (i.e., client/server), then it's part of
the router config, somewhere on the router's wireless setup page it should
ask for the SSID, and it if allows disabling of broadcasts, will usually be
right there, usually a checkbox ON/OFF. Obviously varies slightly by
make/model.

If you're in adhoc mode (i.e., peer to peer, no router), then it will be on
the network configuration dialog for each peer. Frankly, I haven't used
adhoc mode in so long, I'm not even sure if SSID broadcasts can be disabled
in this case. But it's something I would check.

Regardless, even if there's a chance of this problem, one way to avoid it is
to use the wireless adapters' own software. If you go into services and
disable WZC, that will prevent WZC from even being an option. Or just make
sure once you've installed your wireless adapters' software, you choose to
NOT use WZC when offered (I just find it easier to disable the WZC service
completely, one less unnecessary program as well).

Jim

 

[Skavenger]

I have just reinstalled the Buffalo Client Software on both PC's, yes I am
running a Peer to peer Netorkk, No Router.

I have entered the IP Address for each PC in Zone Alarm and set the Zone to
Trusted (Allows File & Printer Sharing).

The Network now connect however even in another room runs at a measly 11.0
Mbps and is sometimes so slow that trying to access the Network crashes the
Laptop?

 

[Jim]

To get an accurate measurement of performance, I strongly suggest something
like NetIQ (
http://www.ixiacom.com/products/performance_applications/pa_display.php?skey=pa_q_check )
and NetCPS ( http://www.netchain.com/netcps/ ). I'd rather have ACTUAL
throughput #s then simply rely on what the wireless client interface is
reporting, the latter is not always accurate. Both tools are FREE, btw.
Then tell me what you're seeing.

Jim