Netgear woes...

Jimpowers79 · 18 Oct 2009 at 19:40

Hello! Just moved to a shared house that is using a netgear router, the same model that i have been using at my other address for the past 3 years. They were running WPA but my computer could not be added to the routers list. So they switched to WEP and all seemed to be fine, could connect to the internet.. However, on the choose a wireless network screen (windows xp) instead of saying 'connected' it reads 'Not connected' when in actuality it is connected. Ten minutes later it disconnects and i have to manually click to reconnect. Can someone diagnose this from what i have described so far?

Hope to hear from someone soon, this is driving me crazy!!!

mjd · 18 Oct 2009 at 20:29

When you say the routers list - presumably you mean the mac filtering list?
If so, why couldnt your computer be added? That bit doesnt really make sense.

You mentioned you had used the same router elsewhere. With WPA?

If the router is playing ball for everyone else then it certainly points to your machine being the problem. Have you updated the drivers for your wireless nic? I would certainly start there if you havent done so already.

Jimpowers79 · 19 Oct 2009 at 14:10

I mean the list of available wireless networks picked up by my wireless network card.

I'm sorry i mean the same model of netgear router. No the other times i always used WEP.

One of the guys in the house has changed the router to WEP, at which point i was able to connect all but briefly before being disconnected at around 10 minute intervals. Now it refuses to join the network altogether.

I suppose it could be a driver problem, although the network card was working fine 2 weeks ago so i doubt it would need updating, but i will give it a try.

Surely it should just be a matter of inputting the correct WEP key and connecting right? There's nothing else i should be doing it there? Will also try to reset the router and start from scratch before i go and buy a new network card.

mjd · 19 Oct 2009 at 15:19

Yes - it shouldnt be anything more than that. Only suggested the driver as it sounded like your card was struggling with WPA.
What sort of signal strength do you get when you are actually connected?
How far are you from the router compared to other users?
It could be any number of things, but will be a question of narrowing it down.