How to stop wireless 'polling'?

HangTime · 19 Aug 2007 at 23:58

Got a bit of a problem with my wireless network. The issue is, that every minute or so I will a very short burst of 100% packetloss. This is visible when running a ping to my router as I can get the odd packet with >1000ms latency (compared to the usual ~1ms).

Now, I believe this to be caused by windows auto-detection automatically searching for wireless networks periodically, causing momentary packetloss while it does so.

So far the only solution I have found is by using netsh wlan to disable autoconfiguration on the adapter. Once I've done that, it is fine and the packetloss is completely gone.

However, the downside to this method is that next time I reboot my pc, my wireless network doesn't work so I have to re-enable autoconfig. It's kinda annoying to have to do it all the time, so is there an easy solution?

tomwalker · 20 Aug 2007 at 19:01

I would also like to know this as when the huge leap in latency happens it causes problems when playing games online.

platypus · 21 Aug 2007 at 12:18

Hmm. I wonder if this is the cause of the latency problems I've been having.

I tend to use Netgear's wireless thing though.

Theguy · 21 Aug 2007 at 17:01

yea. I wouldn't mind knowing this 'polling' problem as well!

norm · 21 Aug 2007 at 19:54

Either use the manufacturers utility to configure the device (if one exists) or opt for the more drastic measure of getting a wireless ethernet converter.

The latter provides a completely transparent means of connecting your PC up wirelessly, meaning you don't have to fuss with drivers etc. and you have the option of locating it in the desired spot for optimum reception.

dovey · 22 Aug 2007 at 03:57

It may be something to do with wireless zero config in windows. If you load up msconfig you can disable it (or in services)
My mate had a similar problem where he would lag when playing on line every 60 seconds or so, disabling wireless zero fixed it. He also had the same problem where windows would not find the wireless network on the next boot however after buying some new parts for his pc and reinstalling xp it seems to be quite happy now.

HangTime · 26 Aug 2007 at 20:56

^Yeah, in WinXP I was able to solve it by disabling Wireless Zero and using the Linksys driver software.

However, under Vista I've found that if I disable the WLAN autoconfig service, my network adapter vanishes from the networks control panel appelet and I can't connect to my router any more.

For those others of you who are having this problem (online gamers most likely), this is the best solution I've found so far:

cmd
netsh
wlan
set autoconfig enabled=no "wireless network connection"

Now, you may need to add a number onto the name of your wireless link, for example due to messing about with drivers and all sorts so many times, mine is called "wireless network connection 5".

However, like I said in my first post, when you reboot your network won't work, so you'll have to do:

cmd
netsh
wlan
set autoconfig enabled=yes "wireless network connection"

to let you connect, before disabling it again...

HangTime · 26 Aug 2007 at 20:59

norm said:
Either use the manufacturers utility to configure the device (if one exists)

This is the really annoying thing. Linksys has a driver for Vista 32bit but I can't for the life of me get it to work. I'm actually having to use a driver from the chipset maker (Ralink).

Bizarrely, my other (older) pc also has a linksys PCI adapter which Vista picked up straight away without me needing to install any drivers! I'm actually getting tempted to switch the adapters over in case they are different revisions or something in the hope of being able to use the proper driver on my main rig.