Belkin Wireless network problems

[Daniel Prince]

I have a 10/100 Mb home network with two desktop computers, a cable
modem and a Linksys wired router. I bought a Belkin wireless router
(part # F5D7230-4) and a Belkin notebook card (F5D7010) so that I
can network my new laptop computer. (Both 802.11g)

I installed the Belkin router as an Access Point and connected it to
the LinkSys router. I installed the notebook card the way the
manual said to.

I have been able to access the shared directories on both desktop
machines from the laptop but I have not been able to access the
shared directory on the laptop from either machine. I was able to
access the laptop when I used a wired connector.

When I have the laptop in my bedroom (about 35 feet away from the
Belkin router which I am using as an access point) I keep losing my
network connection. When I look at the Signal strength meter in the
Belkin software, it always says between 30 and 50 percent.
Sometimes I can reconnect by rebooting my laptop but often I can
not.

I have discovered that turning off the blank screen saver on the
desktop computer seems to decrease the number of disconnects. I am
using the Belkin Wireless Utility to configure the Wireless Card. I
have tried both channel 11 and channel 1. (I sometimes see another
wireless network on channel 6 with very low signal strength.)

Does anyone know what could be wrong and what I can do to fix this?
Should I just return the Belkin equipment and run a cat5 cable into
my bedroom? Would a wired connection with a 100 foot (a shorter
cable might not be long enough because I would have to go around
rooms and doorways) cat5e cable be more reliable and faster? Right
now I have the two computers in the same room and I am transferring
two large files. The transfer is averaging less than two megabytes
per second.

Thank you in advance for all replies.

 

[Ian S]

I have a 10/100 Mb home network with two desktop computers, a cable
modem and a Linksys wired router. I bought a Belkin wireless router
(part # F5D7230-4) and a Belkin notebook card (F5D7010) so that I
can network my new laptop computer. (Both 802.11g)

I installed the Belkin router as an Access Point and connected it to
the LinkSys router. I installed the notebook card the way the
manual said to.

I have been able to access the shared directories on both desktop
machines from the laptop but I have not been able to access the
shared directory on the laptop from either machine. I was able to
access the laptop when I used a wired connector.

Are you using the same OS on all systems? Sometimes older OS's don't
interact well with newer ones on a network. If you're using Win2k or XP are
you logging on as someone with all the permissions necessary? You may need
to set up your Belkin router to bring your PCs into some kind of trusted
zone. See the Belkin instructions for setting up the router security. If
you're using WEP or WPA security, you may want to disable it temporarily
while you troubleshoot your network.

When I have the laptop in my bedroom (about 35 feet away from the
Belkin router which I am using as an access point) I keep losing my
network connection. When I look at the Signal strength meter in the
Belkin software, it always says between 30 and 50 percent.
Sometimes I can reconnect by rebooting my laptop but often I can
not.

You may want to reposition your wireless access point to be in a more direct
line with fewer walls between it and your laptop in the bedroom. For
example, you could mount it on a wall outside the room where the Linksys
router is and connect the two with a cable. Make sure the antennae on the
access point are correctly positioned. IMHO, the main problem with current
wireless is range not speed.

I have discovered that turning off the blank screen saver on the
desktop computer seems to decrease the number of disconnects. I am
using the Belkin Wireless Utility to configure the Wireless Card. I
have tried both channel 11 and channel 1. (I sometimes see another
wireless network on channel 6 with very low signal strength.)

Does anyone know what could be wrong and what I can do to fix this?
Should I just return the Belkin equipment and run a cat5 cable into
my bedroom? Would a wired connection with a 100 foot (a shorter
cable might not be long enough because I would have to go around
rooms and doorways) cat5e cable be more reliable and faster? Right
now I have the two computers in the same room and I am transferring
two large files. The transfer is averaging less than two megabytes
per second.

Your problem is the poor range of existing wireless standards. Wired cat5
will almost always be more reliable and faster. If it isn't feasible to
relocate the Belkin access point for more direct access to your bedroom, you
may want to consider taking it back and getting Belkin's newer "pre-N"
wireless router and laptop card. This new standard has not been finally
approved yet but Belkin and others have already gone to market with it and
one of its principal advantages is far better range than the older b or g
standards.

As one who has muddled through getting a wireless network set up, I can
sympathize woth the trouble you're having. However, once it's up and
running, it is a real pleasure not to have your laptop tied to cables in
your home. Good luck!

 

[Andrew]

: I have a 10/100 Mb home network with two desktop computers, a cable
: modem and a Linksys wired router. I bought a Belkin wireless router
: (part # F5D7230-4) and a Belkin notebook card (F5D7010) so that I
: can network my new laptop computer. (Both 802.11g)

: I installed the Belkin router as an Access Point and connected it to
: the LinkSys router. I installed the notebook card the way the
: manual said to.

: I have been able to access the shared directories on both desktop
: machines from the laptop but I have not been able to access the
: shared directory on the laptop from either machine. I was able to
: access the laptop when I used a wired connector.

Firewall turned on on the laptop wireless connection but not the LAN
connection?

: When I have the laptop in my bedroom (about 35 feet away from the
: Belkin router which I am using as an access point) I keep losing my
: network connection. When I look at the Signal strength meter in the
: Belkin software, it always says between 30 and 50 percent.
: Sometimes I can reconnect by rebooting my laptop but often I can
: not.

Try changing the position of the antenna on the Belkin.

Not sure what kind of wireless card you have in the laptop, but some
wireless cards have better reception than others.

Andrew
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[Daniel Prince]

Firewall turned on on the laptop wireless connection but not the LAN
connection?

Yes I discovered that Windows XP Pro's Internet Connection Firewall
was turned on by default (I did not turn it on and XP did not ask me
if I wanted it on or tell me that it had turned it on). I turned it
off and installed Kerio.

I think that when a user turns on file sharing for a directory, XP
should warn the user that it will not work when ICF is on.