Router not connecting to lappy/maybe need a new one?

[Mirai Gen]

My Linksys Wireless-G is shitting out on me constantly, and I think it's because I have three consoles, a laptop, and a computer running on it.

But the problem is none of them are working simultaneously - it's usually just my computer, the laptop, and maybe one console. I have security WPA Personal with a password and everything. Whenever I use the laptop it has problems connecting, and I have to unplug the router to get it running again. This is pretty much the only time it happens, but when my friend brings his computer over this problem comes up again.

I double-checked and all the settings look right. Should I set a static IP for all the computers or something? Or is it just too many connections for one router?

[bluestarultor]

My Linksys Wireless-G is shitting out on me constantly, and I think it's because I have three consoles, a laptop, and a computer running on it.

But the problem is none of them are working simultaneously - it's usually just my computer, the laptop, and maybe one console. I have security WPA Personal with a password and everything. Whenever I use the laptop it has problems connecting, and I have to unplug the router to get it running again. This is pretty much the only time it happens, but when my friend brings his computer over this problem comes up again.

I double-checked and all the settings look right. Should I set a static IP for all the computers or something? Or is it just too many connections for one router?

As much as I hate to blame the hardware, you're using a brand I've heard works better after you drop it or hit it with a hammer, among other stories. Linksys might have improved while I wasn't looking, but older models are practically synonymous with flaky behavior.

Setting static IPs probably won't help, given only one system is ever connected at once. It shouldn't be a conflict issue, or else your computer would pop up with an error message. And any decent unit should be able to handle everything you have and more.

Like I said, I really wish I had a better solution, but with the parameters you've given, there's really no reason it should be flaking out other than an issue with the router.


Edit: Is this the one? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190

Good or bad, nearly every other rating says it only works decently if you flash the firmware with something else.

[Mirai Gen]

That's the one.

Flashing with unofficial firmware though? That sounds...kinda risky. Especially since I don't have another router.

[bluestarultor]

That's the one.

Flashing with unofficial firmware though? That sounds...kinda risky. Especially since I don't have another router.

Apparently, this place http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/index has some good custom firmware, because as I look around Newegg, it seems everyone and their dog is installing it.

Aside from that, this router http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122273 has some really nifty features for the price and works well with WAP.

[Azisien]

I have heard stories of linksys routers shitting themselves if they have 4 or more things connecting to them, but haven't had issues with mine (with upwards of 7 or 8 simultaneous connections).

What's the exact model?

As a temporary workaround though, just don't have so many simultaneous connections.

[MasterOfMagic]

I can vouch for dd-wrt. I use it at home, and it works fantasically.

I can understand being wary if you don't have another router (I didn't), but as long as you follow instructions you don't really have anything to worry about.

[synkr0nized]

So is the laptop that gets disconnected wireless? I am assuming so. Are the consoles also wireless? Do the consoles ever get disconnected when more than one are on and connected [to be similar to the situation described with the laptop disconnecting]? When the laptop is disconnected, do you see anything to maybe indicate why, either on the laptop's end or in the router's config?


I had an older router before I got this one that worked great until I tried to get wireless devices to use WPA 2. For whatever reason, it kicked everything off randomly every few minutes and then would reconnect them. WEP worked, but WEP is pretty insecure. Unfortunately, the config gave me no indications why but at least reported the disconnecting events.

[Mirai Gen]

The way it usually works is by having a connection for one night or day, then once he goes off and does other thing, we'll use some of the consoles and I'll use my computer, then he'll try and power it back on and the connection will get refused.

What I think is going on is it can't handle more than four connections at a time, and reseting the router starts the connection counter all over again. I just don't get why the laptop, of all things, since we never use the Wii and it usually goes Computer/PS3/360/Laptop. Why the laptop specifically, I have no idea. But I'll try the firmware thing on an offday and see if it helps. I would normally assume his laptop is the problem but this happens when my friend LANs with me.

Hopefully this'll let me have more than just a few connections. Because there's no point in having four ports + wireless if you can only have four total connections. If it fails I'm throwing the laptop out.

[synkr0nized]

The way it usually works is by having a connection for one night or day, then once he goes off and does other thing, we'll use some of the consoles and I'll use my computer, then he'll try and power it back on and the connection will get refused.

What I think is going on is it can't handle more than four connections at a time, and reseting the router starts the connection counter all over again. I just don't get why the laptop, of all things, since we never use the Wii and it usually goes Computer/PS3/360/Laptop.

If this were true, leaving the laptop connected and then connecting other devices until your "maximum counter" would disconnect other devices. Since it seems to consistently disconnect the laptop instead, compare and contrast its configuration with the other devices you have connected to the router/the router's settings related to the laptop.

I won't try too hard to dissuade you from flashing new firmware onto your router, but it may be more helpful to actually suss out the details of what IS going on. On the other hand, it actually might end up being ??????? and a shrug and only fixable by replacing the device or the firmware anyway, so I guess it's up to whatever you feel like taking the time to do.

[Mirai Gen]

Yeah I've been trying to figure out what specifically it is. I edited it in but was a bit too slow for your quote button pressing abilities - this happens when a friend comes over too. I'm gonna try hooking him up to the ethernet and seeing if he's still refused access - it might just be a wireless problem.