Computer Hope

Other => Other => Topic started by: Helpmeh on February 14, 2010, 08:00:59 AM

Title: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: Helpmeh on February 14, 2010, 08:00:59 AM
I've been encountering some strange issues regarding my computer's wireless internet. I didn't post this in the networking section because I believe the problem is in my computer, as my ipod touch can access the internet with no problems. These are the problems I've encountered:

1. My wireless network (dlink) is sometimes shown as a secure network, when it is not (I will have to put some security on it at some point, but that's beside the fact).
2. My connections program (the one that comes with the computer) freezes, but by a weird coincidence (or maybe not), the wireless switch light turns off. Pressing the wireless switch button Fn+F2 does nothing but turn off the switch when the computer turns off.

To temporarily fix problem 1, I have to to attempt to connect once without entering a password (which gives a message saying the password needs to be over X in length), then refresh the connection list a few times. Usually that does it.

To temporarily fix problem 2, I have to shutdown, then turn back on (not restart) and then try again.

Oh, and my computer is a Dell Latitude D520 running Windows XP SP3.
Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: patio on February 14, 2010, 08:05:18 AM
What connections program ?
Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: Helpmeh on February 14, 2010, 03:29:06 PM
What connections program ?

(the one that comes with the computer)


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Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: Helpmeh on February 18, 2010, 08:03:39 PM
My wireless connection continues to conk out, but I haven't encountered the "secure" wireless point recently. When my laptop's Internet starts working, I will attach a picture of what happens when I try to repair my connection after it conks out.
Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: Helpmeh on February 19, 2010, 09:06:03 PM
...attached is the image...*sigh*

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Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: Treval on February 20, 2010, 10:26:25 AM
If you don't answer a password and your network has a password then you will have limited or no connectivity..
Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: Helpmeh on February 20, 2010, 11:35:26 AM
If you don't answer a password and your network has a password then you will have limited or no connectivity..
1. My wireless network (dlink) is sometimes shown as a secure network, when it is not (I will have to put some security on it at some point, but that's beside the fact).
Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: Treval on February 20, 2010, 12:29:49 PM
I  read your point 1, I just wanted to give you some knowledge for the future.
Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: soybean on February 20, 2010, 12:38:50 PM
1. My wireless network (dlink) is sometimes shown as a secure network, when it is not (I will have to put some security on it at some point, but that's beside the fact).
Are you sure you're not seeing someone else's secure network?  If you have neighbors nearby who have wireless networks, you computer might be picking up their signal.
Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: Helpmeh on February 20, 2010, 12:42:11 PM
I  read your point 1, I just wanted to give you some knowledge for the future.
Which pretty much anyone with half a brain and a laptop would already know...

Are you sure you're not seeing someone else's secure network?  If you have neighbors nearby who have wireless networks, you computer might be picking up their signal.
Nope. The signal strength was 5 bars. The highest signal I've gotten that wasn't mine was 3 bars, and that was for about 2 seconds.

Edit: And they don't use dlink (or at least, they signal name wasn't dlink).
Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: Treval on February 20, 2010, 01:55:07 PM
I'm a tech (meaning with a brain and a laptop) and for me to find out that 'limited or no connectivity' is one of the messages you get due to a missed password was not obvious. I had to do some serious Googling for that.
It's not all that obvious.
Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: Helpmeh on February 20, 2010, 02:00:29 PM
I'm a tech (meaning with a brain and a laptop) and for me to find out that 'limited or no connectivity' is one of the messages you get due to a missed password was not obvious. I had to do some serious Googling for that.
It's not all that obvious.
Treval, that is beside the point. I'm not getting "limited or no connectivity" errors because I didn't enter a password on a password protected signal. My computer is confusing my insecure router with one that is secure, and my wireless switch is screwing up.
Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: patio on February 20, 2010, 09:19:33 PM
Quote
1. My wireless network (dlink) is sometimes shown as a secure network, when it is not (I will have to put some security on it at some point, but that's beside the fact).

Actually this statement sent up a red flag a week ago when i read it....
You either set this network up properly or you did not...
For it to show up "sometimes" as secure and sometimes not then it's not setup properly.

You should start from square 1 and stop chasing red herrings...
Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: Helpmeh on February 21, 2010, 09:56:21 AM
Actually this statement sent up a red flag a week ago when i read it....
You either set this network up properly or you did not...
For it to show up "sometimes" as secure and sometimes not then it's not setup properly.

You should start from square 1 and stop chasing red herrings...
But only one computer has ever shown the network as "secure". The first time I saw it was "secure" I immediately checked my iTouch and it said it was insecure. I refreshed both signal lists and the computer continued to show it as "secure" whereas my iTouch shows it as it truly is.
Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: patio on February 21, 2010, 10:08:52 AM
Check your Router manual...
Set it up properly as a secure connection...
Then set up the network connection properly on all machines...
Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: Helpmeh on February 21, 2010, 10:13:46 AM
Check your Router manual...
Set it up properly as a secure connection...
Then set up the network connection properly on all machines...
And how does that solve my problem with the actual wireless switch on my laptop (the one that sometimes sees my router as a secure point)?

On a side note, the router hasn't been shown as "secure" since Monday, when I restarted my router.
Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: patio on February 21, 2010, 03:18:36 PM
It doesn't neccessarily solve the issue...
However it keeps us from running around in circles with too many variables.
Title: Re: Strange Wireless issues
Post by: Helpmeh on February 21, 2010, 03:28:52 PM
It doesn't neccessarily solve the issue...
However it keeps us from running around in circles with too many variables.
OK...I'll have to get on that soon...tuesday probably.