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Topic: Wireless Connection Drops |
Dennis Wood
From:
Savannah, TN USA
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Posted 18 May 2009 4:40 am |
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I have a Linksys WCG200 wireless cable modem/router combination that drops the wireless connection frequently. Seems to drop worse on any large amount of data transfer like utube or windows update or pages with video embedded. I have do a hard reset of the modem when this happens. My wireless signal runs around 90%. The hard wired connections do not cause a dropout. From what i have gleaned from the linksys user forum this problem is common to this wireless gateway with lots of suggestions but no real fix for the problem. Any suggestions before i purchase a different router/modem?
thanks, Dennis
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 18 May 2009 9:49 am
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Dennis;
Have you searched the forum for this modem at Broadband Reports? That is a very good source of information on all broadband issues and solutions.
If the combination modem/router is causing disconnects to a lot of knowledgeable users you can assume that there is a problem in the hardware. Check with the manufacturer's website to see if an update for the hardware is available as a hardware flash .bin download. If so, verify that you are getting the exact upgrade file for your modem, save the existing .bin file, then download the new file and use the web interface to flash upgrade the hardware. Reboot the unit after flashing it to get the new code to take, then re-input your admin password and any other custom information.
If there is no new hardware available you will need to troubleshoot the problem one step at a time. Without having access to the unit all I can do is offer you some generic things to try or look for.
- Ensure that there is free ventilation under, around and above the modem/router unit. Overheating can cause signal dropouts.
- Change the wireless channel to another number than default channel 6. I use channel 11 to eliminate interference from my wireless telephone. Microwaves can also interfere with a wireless router on channel 6. Other wireless routers nearby can also cause signal dropouts.
- See if there is a new driver for your wireless adapter in the affected PC or notebook.
- Check your wireless adapter's settings to make sure it only connects to your preferred network (make your router's SSID your "preferred network"). Sometimes a nearby router owned by another person will be unsecured and your PC may try to connect to it, disconnecting your from your router.
- Setup WPA2 security on your router and adapter to make sure no outsiders can connect to the router.
- If possible, log into the modem section via your browser and see if the signal strength is low at the input side. Try to establish whether the modem is disconnecting, or the router. If the modem is disconnecting from the input signal it may be defective, or the cable may be loose, or a jack could be worn at the contacts, or your signal feed may be bad at the service point of entry.
- See if another PC at your location is trying to log on using the same user or computer name. Multiple identical logins may force previous connections to be dropped. This means don't try to logon to the wireless network from two computers using the same computer name, as this could cause the router's DHCP server to hiccup. It will be trying to give the same IP address to two different computers that have the same identifier on the network. One will always lose.
Let me know if any of this solves the problem. Read about networking on my Networking web page.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 18 May 2009 10:25 am
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You can get answers to most technical questions about this modem/router from Cisco, on this support page.
A firmware update may help, but only from the supplier of the modem. If you got this unit from your cable company they will have customized firmware for it. Call them for level 2 support. If it is store bought Cisco firmware updates may help.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Dennis Wood
From:
Savannah, TN USA
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Posted 18 May 2009 5:08 pm
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Hello Wiz, thanks for the reply and suggestions. There are no other wireless connections near me. I live out in the country and my nearest neighbor is a fourth mile away with lots of trees between us. THis cable modem/router came from BestBuy. I just gave my cable company the mac address.
I only have one wireless connection, my laptop computer. I have changed the wireless channel several times. I have tried running both secure and unsecured wireless, same problem. I have already tried just about everthing you have suggested.
When i loose my connection to the internet, my wireless still has local connection to the router. The modem drops the IP address and has to be hard reset.
As far as i can tell, there are no firmware updates for this modem. I may try the updated vista driver but i really dont think its a driver problem.
Again, thanks for you help
Dennis
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 18 May 2009 8:59 pm
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Dennis;
If it's the modem half that is dropping the incoming signal and there are no firmware updates, then you will have to try a different modem, or replace the cables with the new heavy gauge stuff and firm connectors. Get rid of as many splitters as possible, using only top quality splitters, where absolutely necessary.
Try renting a modem from your ISP for a month to see if you can stay connected to your router, if it allows you to use a separate modem input. If so, you'll know that either the modem section was bad, or the ISP doesn't like that modem. Also, ask your ISP's tech support if they have removed any filters or encryption that might interfere with your modem.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog
Last edited by Wiz Feinberg on 4 Jun 2009 7:26 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Dennis Wood
From:
Savannah, TN USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2009 5:00 am Problem Solved!
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Wiz, I finally gave up and purchased a new Motorola surfbord stand alone modem and a netgear standalone wireless router. Problem solved.. Not a dropout in six days. I might add as well, the netgear router was very easy to setup. Plug and Play. The installation cd included a setup wizard that ran perfectly, did all the setups etc. The router also checks for firmware updates when you log on with the admim software.
I would advise anyone aganst the Linksys combo modem/router.
Thanks for the suggestions and support.
Dennis
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2009 7:30 am Re: Problem Solved!
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| Dennis Wood wrote: |
Wiz, I finally gave up and purchased a new Motorola surfbord stand alone modem and a netgear standalone wireless router. Problem solved.. Not a dropout in six days. I might add as well, the netgear router was very easy to setup. Plug and Play. The installation cd included a setup wizard that ran perfectly, did all the setups etc. The router also checks for firmware updates when you log on with the admim software.
I would advise anyone aganst the Linksys combo modem/router.
Thanks for the suggestions and support.
Dennis |
Dennis;
Now that you have setup the router you should take measures to protect it from remote and scripted exploits. Turn OFF UPnP and Remote Administration (over the Internet). If you haven't already done so change the Administrator password to something not found in a dictionary. Never leave the default password in place on a router.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Dennis Wood
From:
Savannah, TN USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2009 12:24 pm
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Wiz, thanks for all you do for folks on the forum.
I have a very strong password and have turned off remote and upnp.
dennis
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