Network Bridge in XP disconnects

[Eivind Gussiås Løkseth]

Hi!

(...
A few weeks ago, I installed a wireless home network between my desktop and
laptop computers. The desktop computer uses Windows XP Pro English edition,
and the laptop uses Windows XP Pro Norwegian edition. Those two computers
were earlier connected using a crossower TP cable. The destop computer's
printer and ISDN Internet connection was shared on the home network.
Everyting worked just fine!

Then I decided to buy a wireless network card for the desktop computer, so
that I could share the Internet connection with the laptop without being
forced to sit as close as 3 meters to the desktop computer. The wireless
connection worked without any problem in the beginning, except that I
couldn't share the printer (at first I didn't understand why).

A few days ago, I found that the home network wasn't set up properly to use
the wireless network cards (since I didn't run the network setup wizard
after installing the wireless network card; in some way or another it wasn't
nessesary to do that to share the Internet connection). I then started the
wizard at the desktop computer, and created a setup diskette that I used on
the laptop. Now the Internet connection AND printer (and files etc) was
shared again. Finally, all things work perfect, I thought...!
....)

But instead I got a new problem! The network bridge on the laptop
disconnects every now and then. I happens about twice every minute! Extremly
irritating, since it means the laptop looses connection with the Internet
every time the network bridge is disconnected!!!! After being disconnected
about 5 seconds, it automatically connects again, and so it keeps on all the
time!

Since I have run the network setup wizard a couple of times now, the bridge
is called "Network Bridge 5". No other bridges are available though. I have
no access points, so the wireless network is ad hoc. I have UNinstalled
Norton Internet Security on both computers, and I'm sure no firewall is
activated on any connection. There are no other wireless network available
in the neighborhood, and I've disabled the option "connect to not-preferred
networks automatically" on the wireless connection. Please, does anyone have
any idea how I can solve this annoying problem??! Thanks for any help!

 

[CheshireCat]

Hi Eivind

Both laptop and pc should have a wireless card, adhoc mode, and this should
be your equivalent of a normal lan.
Assuming the pc is ICS server, it should also have either a dialup
connection or a NIC that connects to the cable modem or an internal dsl
modem - you dont describe this bit in your original post.

I don't believe there should be a need for a network bridge on any of your
network connections. What does Network Connections say this bridge is
between? Network bridges have a similar effect to turning a computer into a
hub using a firewire or a usb port.
Take note of what it bridges then delete it and retry your wireless network.
You can easily recreate a bridge, if necessary, by selecting 2 network
connections, right clicking and selecting "bridge connections" if things
don't work.

Post back here with your results so I know if it worked or not. thanks.

 

[Eivind Gussiås Løkseth]

I don't believe there should be a need for a network bridge on any of your
network connections. What does Network Connections say this bridge is
between? Network bridges have a similar effect to turning a computer into a
hub using a firewire or a usb port.
Take note of what it bridges then delete it and retry your wireless network.
You can easily recreate a bridge, if necessary, by selecting 2 network
connections, right clicking and selecting "bridge connections" if things
don't work.

Post back here with your results so I know if it worked or not. thanks.

Thank You Very Much, You Clever Cat!!

The bridge connected the bluetooth and firewire interface with the wireless
and 10/100 ethernet interface. I guess the annoying connection/disconnection
happened because the 10/100 ethernet interface was inactive. The bridge
tried to connect to the inactive interface, and when no connection was
established, it connected to the wireless interface again i suppose.
Removing everything from the bridge was the correct solution! Thanks again!

Maybe I should consider installing Norton Internet Security again then...