Need help with Wireless access (desktop, modem, wifi, transfer)

[Stripes17]

In my home, we have four desktop computers linked via a Linksys network. One computer is hardwired to the router. The other three run wireless to the same router. We use our local cable company's high speed internet access (formerly Time Warner Cable; now local gov't owned private cable co.). The problem started before the switch to the new cable co.

The problem is with my fourth computer. When we were on TWC, it would link up via the wireless connection and my DW could access the internet. All of a sudden, it would not link up anymore.

I've tried resetting the modem and router, re-selecting our network on the PC, etc., but nothing works. The computer seems to locate our network and gets a decent signal, but we keep getting error messages about not being hooked up to a signal.

Please share your thoughts and some detail about how to fix. Thanks!!!

[Arcticthaw]

Is your network secure? Do you have the correct password phrase to access your network?
Is your linksys router supplying DHCP services, ie: assigning the ip adress for each computer?

[EscapeCalifornia]

Some things to check:

1) Make sure you're on a unique channel if you're anywhere near other people. You can download and run Netstumbler that will show all the networks in your vicinity and what channel they're on. Most routers default to either 6 or 11 so those channels are crowded. I find people hardly ever use 3 or 4.

2) Verify the encryption type and code. It has to be perfect down the the letter. Try turning off encryption and see if it works. If it does, you go something wrong in the security configuration.

3) If your wifi chipset has its own software, make sure you're not also using Microsoft's Wireless Zero Config. You can enable/disable it in services.msc. Sometimes Microsoft's works best, sometimes the vendors's does. Just don't have both enabled at the same time.

[Stripes17]

Thanks for the replies so far...

Yes, our network is password protected. I don't know if the router assigns IP addresses (I'm not a technical kind of guy). I also don't think our router is sophisticated enough to let me pick channels.

I'll have to investigate encryption & Microsoft Wireless config and how they work.

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by Stripes17

Thanks for the replies so far...

Yes, our network is password protected. I don't know if the router assigns IP addresses (I'm not a technical kind of guy).

That being the case, it probably is dhcp.

Originally Posted by Stripes17

I also don't think our router is sophisticated enough to let me pick channels.

I've never seen one that you couldn't change the channel on... they all will let you do it, but you'll need to explore around a bit on the router setup page.

[Stripes17]

I stand corrected. It is DHCP and it is set on Channel 11. I was able to get into the router files on my hard-wired computer. Next, I'll try to see what channels my neighbors are using, in case I need to make a change there. I'll report back later today (honey-do's are piling up in the meantime). Thanks for the help so far.

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by Stripes17

I stand corrected. It is DHCP and it is set on Channel 11. I was able to get into the router files on my hard-wired computer. Next, I'll try to see what channels my neighbors are using, in case I need to make a change there. I'll report back later today (honey-do's are piling up in the meantime). Thanks for the help so far.

No need - your PC's connecting wireless will adjust to whatever channel you set without a problem, and 11 is a common preset channel.

If you search for Netstumbler, you can download that and run it, it will tell you what channels are in use and whats available.

Anyways, something a bit easier. Wireless channels kind of overlap, so if channel 11 is currently giving you issues, first try to avoid that whole block. Try channel 1, channel 6, or any channel inbetween those.

[Stripes17]

Well, I just spent about an hour upstairs fiddling on that computer. I reset the network authorization key and the connection looks ok.

The machine recognizes our network and connects to it, albeit at low signal strength. (This machine at the complete opposite, diagonal end of the house. When it stops raining, I'm going to go out to the shed, grab an extension cord, and roll the whole computer desk out onto the landing to try this at a higher signal strength.)

When I couldn't access the internet, I executed the diagnostics option. The Diagnotics Run report looks ok except at the bottom. In the section called: HTTP, HTTPS, FTP Diagnostic, it warns of error 12007 saying it's not able to connect to websites (microsoft.com, hotmail.com, passport.net) and then showed error messages that the machine could not make a HTTP, HTTPS, or FTP connection.

Any ideas from here?

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by Stripes17

When I couldn't access the internet, I executed the diagnostics option. The Diagnotics Run report looks ok except at the bottom. In the section called: HTTP, HTTPS, FTP Diagnostic, it warns of error 12007 saying it's not able to connect to websites (microsoft.com, hotmail.com, passport.net) and then showed error messages that the machine could not make a HTTP, HTTPS, or FTP connection.

Any ideas from here?

Because you couldn't access the internet, you couldnt get access to http/https (web sites) and FTP (file transfer protocol). All its telling you is that it couldn't connect to the internet.

If distance is the issue, you have a few options. If you have a hard wired ethernet connection closer to the problem PC, you can add a WAP - wireless access point - which basically makes a wireless point closer for you to connect to.

You can change the antenna on your wireless router to something a bit more significant (the included one is usually junky), increase the gain, and a variety of other things. Yuo can even add a wire between the router and the antenna, and mount the antenna elsewhere for a better connection. So, you still have plenty of options available once you figure out whats doable for you.

[Stripes17]

CuCullin & previous posters: Thanks for your advise.

Here's my latest update...I actually rolled the entire PC desk out of the room it's in and plugged it in on my 2nd floor landing. The pc connected to the router on our family network and has an Excellent signal strength at 11 mbps.

I reset the computer, the modem, and the router and re-fired everything up. When I double click on IE, it tries to load Yahoo (my homepage), but then it dumps out saying it cannot connect to the internet.

I run the connection diagnostics and it says to contact my ISP. I called them (local cable co) and they said everything is fine and my router is having issues. Not sure about that as the other 3 computers sharing the router are all working just fine.

I'm clueless now. Perhaps a virus or spyware is blocking the internet? I don't know. Any help would be appreciated.