what's happening???

[Rick]

I have installed a wireless network for a customer but I'm
having problems. There are 3 computers in the Office
building and 1 computer in the Shop building.

I have the following equipment:
In the Main Office Building,
- a Speedstream DSL modem (in bridge mode)
- a DLink DI-614+ connected to the dsl modem via a CAT5
cable (WAN Port)
- a desktop computer (Windows 2000 Pro) is connected via a
Cat5 cable (port 4) (partially working. has access to
internet but not other local resources)
- a desktop computer (Windows XP Pro) is connected
wireless via a DLink DWL 520+ (partially working. has
access to internet and other XP machines but not to the
Windows 2000 Pro)
- a notebook computer is connected wireless via a DLink
wireless card (partially working. has access to internet
and other XP machines but not to the Windows 2000 Pro)
- a DLink DWL-900+ is connected to the DI-614+ via CAT5
cable (seems to be working properly. I can log into the
interface from either side).
- The DWL-900+ is connected to an ANT24-0500
indoor/outdoor omni-directional antenna.

* to connect the two buildings, I am using the DWL900+'s
as a wireless bridge. One is in "access mode", the other
is in "wireless client mode". the buildings are metal,
and we did not want to have to dig a trench.

In the Shop Building,
- The DWL-900+ is connected to an ANT24-0500
indoor/outdoor omni-directional antenna.
- a DLink DWL-900+ is connected to the DI-614+ via CAT5
cable (seems to be working properly. I can log into the
interface from either side).
- a desktop computer (Windows XP Pro) is connected
wireless via a DLink DWL 520+ (partially working. has
access to internet and other XP machines but not to the
Windows 2000 Pro)

Here's the problem.

The XP workstations can see each other and the 2000 Pro
workstation, but the 2000 Pro workstation cannot see the
XP workstations. All workstations have a shared folder
that should be accessible (read/write) by ALL workstations.

After a period of inactivity by any XP workstation, it
disappears from the network.

The real problem, besides the folder issue is there are
printers attached to some of the workstations. When the
workstation 'goes to sleep' the other workstations can't
access the folder or print.

I would appreciate any positive feedback. I'm doing pretty
well with the negative feedback on my own.

Thanks.

 

[Alberto]

After a period of inactivity by any XP workstation, it
disappears from the network.
[...]
I would appreciate any positive feedback. I'm doing pretty
well with the negative feedback on my own.

Sorry to not be able to bring you a positive feedback, but I can just
confirm that there must be something wrong related to periods of
non-activity in Windows XP.

I have a Netgear DG824M ADSL modem/router/access point in the basement,
connected via ethernet to a PC there. Of course this PC is always able
to access the Internet. Upstairs I have another PC running Windows XP,
with an USB wireless adapter, also Netgear, model MA101.
When I switch everything on, the PC upstairs is able to go on the
Internet, with a signal strength, as reported by the device driver,
ranging from very good to excellent.

If I leave this PC switched on, but without any kind of activity for,
let's say, 20 minutes, the wireless connection abruptly drops, with no
signal reported. The revive it, I have to power-cycle both the access
point and this PC.
The culprit is definitely Windows XP, as, if I boot the upstairs PC with
Linux, the problem does not manifest...

Still searching for a solution.

Alberto

 

[Jim Adams]

Under device manager/ network card properties/ power management/ try
unchecking "allow the computer to turn this device off to save power" if
it's available. It was on my SMC card. Hope this helps

"Rick" <[email protected]> wrote in message

After a period of inactivity by any XP workstation, it
disappears from the network.
[...]
I would appreciate any positive feedback. I'm doing pretty
well with the negative feedback on my own.

Sorry to not be able to bring you a positive feedback, but I can just
confirm that there must be something wrong related to periods of
non-activity in Windows XP.

I have a Netgear DG824M ADSL modem/router/access point in the basement,
connected via ethernet to a PC there. Of course this PC is always able
to access the Internet. Upstairs I have another PC running Windows XP,
with an USB wireless adapter, also Netgear, model MA101.
When I switch everything on, the PC upstairs is able to go on the
Internet, with a signal strength, as reported by the device driver,
ranging from very good to excellent.

If I leave this PC switched on, but without any kind of activity for,
let's say, 20 minutes, the wireless connection abruptly drops, with no
signal reported. The revive it, I have to power-cycle both the access
point and this PC.
The culprit is definitely Windows XP, as, if I boot the upstairs PC with
Linux, the problem does not manifest...

Still searching for a solution.

Alberto

 

[Alberto]

Under device manager/ network card properties/ power management/ try
unchecking "allow the computer to turn this device off to save power" if
it's available. It was on my SMC card. Hope this helps

Jim,
thanks for your advice, but that choice was already unchecked...
What is really weird is the following: I have also a notebook with an
Avaya PCMCIA WiFi card. If I switch the notebook on when in range
of the access point, then suddenly also the upstairs PC has its
wireless connection revived ! Then I can switch off the notebook,
and can use that PC, at least until I leave the 802.11 connection unused
for some time, after which, bang!, it's dropped again....
Something is definitely escaping me....

Alberto

 

[Alberto]

*** PROBLEM SOLVED*** !!!

It turned out that the culprit was in effect Windows XP and the bad habit
of M$ programmers to try to hold the hands of the users, as they were
handicapped and not capable to do things by themselves.

In Windows XP Sp1 there is a new "service" called Windows XP "Wireless Zero
Configuration". It appears that in an effort to be extremely user friendly,
XP will scan all wireless channels once a minute to find if there are any
networks out there. That code must be buggy (nothing new...) and caused the
loss of connection between my wifi adapter and the access point.

The solution is to disable it, and instead use the configuration utility that
came with the wifi adapter (in my case the Netgear MA101).
This service can be easily disabled in XP by
1) Go to: Start > Run
2) Type "services.msc"
3) Scroll down to "Wireless Zero Configuration"
4) Double click on it
5) Change the startup type to Manual
6) Finally press "Stop"

By doing this you are effectively telling Windows to not touch your wireless
connection and that you will take care of setting it all up.
Then, if you don't have already done it, install the configuration utility for
your wifi adapter, set the correct SSID and WEP and enjoy a stable connection
without the interferences of a nosy XP !

Alberto
P.S. Thanks to Steve ([email protected]) for putting me on the right
direction.