MN-700 wireless router disconnecting

[Guest]

I have used a Microsoft MN-700 wireless router for my home network for
approximately 1 1/2 yrs without too many issues. However, this weekend I
have had nothing but problems after two changes were made to my
network/computing. The first was I changed my security software from Norton
Internet Security to AOL Safety and Security Center powered by McAfee. The
second was I changed my wireless security to Standard 64 bit WEP. I have 5
computers, all with Windows XP. 4 are desktops and 1 is a laptop. I changed
each of the the network authentication properties to a Shared WEP and
inserted the network key. I also made sure that the enable IEEE 802.1x was
not checked in the authentication tab. I also updated the router to the
latest version of the firmware, etc following the instructions provided on
the Microsoft website, including being hardwired to the router during the
update. No success. The wireless router continues to lock up and I have to
unplug the power to get it to begin functioning again. The router also does
locks up when I'm connected directly to the router via an ethernet cable
again resulting in having to power-down the router. Does anyone have any
suggestions on how to fix this problem?

 

[V Green]

I have used a Microsoft MN-700 wireless router for my home network for
approximately 1 1/2 yrs without too many issues. However, this weekend I
have had nothing but problems after two changes were made to my
network/computing. The first was I changed my security software from Norton
Internet Security to AOL Safety and Security Center powered by McAfee. The
second was I changed my wireless security to Standard 64 bit WEP. I have 5
computers, all with Windows XP. 4 are desktops and 1 is a laptop. I changed
each of the the network authentication properties to a Shared WEP and
inserted the network key. I also made sure that the enable IEEE 802.1x was
not checked in the authentication tab. I also updated the router to the
latest version of the firmware, etc following the instructions provided on
the Microsoft website, including being hardwired to the router during the
update. No success. The wireless router continues to lock up and I have to
unplug the power to get it to begin functioning again. The router also does
locks up when I'm connected directly to the router via an ethernet cable
again resulting in having to power-down the router. Does anyone have any
suggestions on how to fix this problem?

Go back to the way you were

OR

try a new router.

Seriously. This kind of crap is almost impossible to solve -
you did too many critical things all at once - we don't have
any idea of what's interacting with what.

Netgear routers have been the least problematic for me as of late.
Try one from a store that allows returns. I went through 3 from
different vendors just recently until I found one that was stable
(Netgear WGR 614 v6).

 

[Guest]

Go back to the way you were

OR

try a new router.

Seriously. This kind of crap is almost impossible to solve -
you did too many critical things all at once - we don't have
any idea of what's interacting with what.

Netgear routers have been the least problematic for me as of late.
Try one from a store that allows returns. I went through 3 from
different vendors just recently until I found one that was stable
(Netgear WGR 614 v6).

Thanks for the feedback. There was not that many changes made that weren't
what was recommended. The connection problem started happening very soon
after changing my wireless security to the shared 64-bit WEP. That is when I
updated the router firmware, etc. The other recommendation was to make sure
IEEE 802.1x was not enabled on the authentication tab (a microsoft
recommendation). I believe the issue is the wireless security. I have
changed it this evening to shared 128-bit WEP. I was going to go to WPA but
learned it slows the data rates down. That didn't solve the problem. I
would be interested in seeing if anyone else has any suggestions....Thanks....

 

[V Green]

Thanks for the feedback. There was not that many changes made that weren't
what was recommended. The connection problem started happening very soon
after changing my wireless security to the shared 64-bit WEP. That is when I
updated the router firmware, etc. The other recommendation was to make sure
IEEE 802.1x was not enabled on the authentication tab (a microsoft
recommendation). I believe the issue is the wireless security. I have
changed it this evening to shared 128-bit WEP. I was going to go to WPA but
learned it slows the data rates down. That didn't solve the problem. I
would be interested in seeing if anyone else has any

suggestions....Thanks....

Try a different channel on the AP.

You may be getting hosed by interference...

Do you have/ have you tried NetStumbler to see what you're
up against?

It IS possible to downgrade your firmware via the same process
you used to upgrade (I've done it on Linksys, D-Link, and Netgear).

Go back to the version that worked.

 

[Guest]

suggestions....Thanks....

Try a different channel on the AP.

You may be getting hosed by interference...

Do you have/ have you tried NetStumbler to see what you're
up against?

It IS possible to downgrade your firmware via the same process
you used to upgrade (I've done it on Linksys, D-Link, and Netgear).

Go back to the version that worked.

Update - Thanks for you suggestions. Changed the security setting from
64-bit WEP to 128-bit WEP, didn't do anything. Bought a dlink wireless
router with range booster, piece of sh*t...fairly easy to install, but NO
connectivity. I didn't have time last night to even see if the router
solved my problem because of having to relocate it to different spots in the
house to see if all the computers could pick it up. I had no luck so I'm
taking it back tonight and trying a netgear wireless router.

Where would I find the older firmware for the MN-700 to be able to revert
back to that version? As I said in my previous note, I believe the issue is
adding the WEP security. I had tried adding security to my network once
before and had problems. Didn't have time to trouble shoot it at the time,
so I just revert to an open network. However, after adding the AOL Safety
and Security Center, I noticed many wireless devices attempting to connect to
my network, so I decided to re-visit setting up security.

Anyone else have any suggestions? Had the same problem and found a fix?
Recommend just moving on and junking the MN-700? Thanks again...