Wireless Networking Problems

Grundlestiltskin

Hey all,

Long story short, my desktop has been having connectivity issues. The connection has been fairly unimpressive since we moved (3 bars max) due to the distance from the router and walls etc, but it's at least been functional. Over the past two weeks internet performance has gotten continuously worse, dropping out in the middle of games and such. As of last night, it will no longer connect to the internet at all (connected to network, no internet access).

I can't figure out what's going on or the best way to fix the problem. Ipconfig resets/releases, unplugging/restoring the wireless networking adapter, resetting the router, resetting the modem, removing the network and re-adding it, none of these have worked. The desktop has an IP and can ping itself, but can't seem to ping the router it's connected to (requests all time out).

None of the other computers or devices in my apartment are having difficulties connecting and staying connected.

Any help would be appreciated.

Grundlestiltskin

Some more info from testing:

1. Swapping my USB Wireless Adapter for my old one let me connect to the internet. This would suggest that the wireless adapter was faulty.
2. Plugging the wireless adapter into my laptop and installing it (and disabling the default wireless adapters) allowed my laptop to connect to the internet. This would suggest the problem is with my desktop.

I'm baffled.

TPSou

I'm not an expert but swapping the adapters around might not mean there's anything wrong with any piece of hardware, it could be that you're resetting some arcane settings and that's letting you connect. If it can connect to the router but not the internet that implies there's some kind of problem with the way the router is recognising the PC, have you tried to set up a static IP address or something?

Try right clicking on the adapter in your devices and go to properties and then go through the advanced settings checking everything to do with IP address/DNS is set to automatic.

DumpShock

Have you tried changing the security type on the router then reconnecting using the new security settings? Open is preferred for testing but don't leave it that way.
Run through these steps to trouble shoot the adapter on the LT http://helpdeskgeek.com/networking/can-connect-to-wireless-router-but-not-to-the-internet/ They are pretty basic so apologies if you have tried most already.

Great Scott

It might come down to location; as you stated the wireless access point is far away, and something might be blocking the signal where your desktop is, but not where your laptop is.

There's also the possibility that another wireless router is interfering with yours, although if that's the case your laptop should have had trouble as well. I assume that you disabled the laptop's internal wireless card when you were performing your tests?

Also, did you try using the old wireless card in your desktop again to make sure it's still slow?

Grundlestiltskin

The router where it is is transmitting through a brick fireplace and probably through another brick (or possibly wood) wall, about 50 feet away. I get 2 bars with the old wireless adapter, 3 bars with the new one (but no internet access).

I picked up a new router on Newegg today, we'll see if it makes a difference.