Router problems.

[DMyst]

Hey guys,

I just bought a Netgear wireless router and i am having some issues.

Here is how my two pc's are setup:

First my modem is directly connected to the router by an ethernet cable.
My main PC in my room is connected directly to the router by an ethernet cable.
The second PC is in another room and is using a wireless PCI card to connect to the router.

Now the problem is that even doh i am connected directly to the router with my frist PC i am always having trouble getting into the router. I keep having to try 10 times or reset the router to be able... is the router defect?

My other problem is that the other computer keeps saying "wireless connection not available" that messages keeps poping on the system tray and dissapears... but i am connected and even doh the message is there i can still surf.

Third problem is that even if i enabled "Restricted access list" for mac addresses, the network still says "Not secure".

I would really appreciate it if someone can enlighten me on this whole setup.

In the mean time i am searching on the internet for answers and looking at the Netgear knowledge base but it's never that obvious.

Thanks in advance.

[Kallian]

Netgear? Mistake. Buy Linksys.

The first thing you need to do is upgrade the firmware for your specific router.

[Artificial]

I have a netgear wireless router and have not had any problems at all. I had a D-Link but had to return it because of defect, and decioded to go up to the netgear.

I have a similar problem with the web browser connection to the router, but I can access it every time, it's just much slower than the last wired-only router I used for some reason. I have the same setup as you, my computer directly connected to the router, which is directly connected to the modem. My dad's computer is connected wirelessly in the front via internal USB 2.0 port, with a netgear brand adapter. The network stays up for as long as the computers are on. I'm using SP2 to wireless network, as I had problems with netgear's software for some reason.

The problem I had with my D-Link router was (it seemed like) UPnP was enabled when it shouldn't have been, but once I turned off I still had the rare diconnect from the network on my father's computer. I decided that it was probably because I was using 2 different hardware brands, but I'm probably mistaken.

I'd say check the UPnP setting and second the update the firmware advice.

[Vorph]

There's nothing wrong with Netgear hardware; they are just as good as Linksys and the correct choice is whichever one you get a better price on. D-Link is the shitty brand that most everyone will tell you to stay away from regardless of price.

Not sure what would be wrong with the web interface, you're saying that machine can access the internet fine, but not the router config? Can the wireless machine access it every time?

As for the "wireless connection not available" thing, it's probably a minor RF interference problem. Just enough to give that message but not enough to actually disconnect you. Look for phones, microwave, etc. that could be a problem, and also try different channels. How far is the router from the computer, and how many walls/ceilings are you sending the signal through?

"Not secure" probably just means you didn't activate WEP (which is practically worthless anyway, using a restricted MAC access list is fine) or you are broadcasting the SSID (don't leave it as the default name either). If you're worried about it, try removing your MAC from the list and see if you can still connect. You won't be able to unless something is very broken.

[DMyst]

That is correct, i can access the internet fine but can't reach the router interface unless i try 10 times or i reset it. It is pissing me off royaly.

I think i fixed the "wireless connection not available". I had windows managing my wireless connections and now i took off that option.

I have only two walls between each computer and it is on the same floor. When i first installed the network i had a 61% signal and now only 40%... i seriously don't know whats fucking it up.

[Kallian]

Originally Posted by DMyst

That is correct, i can access the internet fine but can't reach the router interface unless i try 10 times or i reset it. It is pissing me off royaly.

I think i fixed the "wireless connection not available". I had windows managing my wireless connections and now i took off that option.

I have only two walls between each computer and it is on the same floor. When i first installed the network i had a 61% signal and now only 40%... i seriously don't know whats fucking it up.

how bout that firmware, johnny!

[Angerz]

It's been my experience that a good number of routers come with some kind of defect, WiFi radio not working, dead port, plain old shitty preformance, etc. I'd say upwards of 25%