New computer + wireless = fail

[Slater]

So, finally, I managed to get my hands on a new computer.

3 GB RAM, 2.3 GHz, quad-core processors... a good machine. Runs games like Half Life 2 like a dream, even on highest settings. Truly amazing in every way.

Well, almost. I installed a linksys wireless card in it; and it runs just fine... for a while. One minute, it could be chugging away, downloading stuff at over half a megabyte per second (this is how I transfered my old files from my laptop to this new machine), and then... nothing, the connection just dies.

Usually, this happens after 20-60 minutes of the computer being connected and actively using the internet (which it accesses through a linksys wireless router). Now, the occasional disconnect wouldn't be so bad; but the computer simply cannot reconnect to the router once it looses the connection. The entire system needs to be shut down and restarted before any connection can be made again.

This puzzles me. I've also tried troubleshooting it. Vista (Yes, Vista... I didn't feel like having to pay an extra 200 dollars to get XP on this machine) has given me a myriad of information on the issue, ranging from complaints that the router is too far away from the computer to telling me that there is absolutely nothing wrong at all (while still being unable to reconnect, mind you). Well, the signal strength is constantly 2-3 bars (out of 5) and never drops below that, so I'm pretty sure that it's not an issue with distance from the wireless hub. I'm also pretty sure that there's nothing wrong with the router itself, since (at any given time) there are 2 other computers, a laptop, a Wii, a DS, and a Tivo box that can access the internet without a hiccup.
(Naturally, not all at the same time... Usually there is only 1 or 2 other devices at the most actively transfering wireless data in this house)

So, a quick summary of my problem; new computer is able to access internet, but randomly drops the connection and is unable to connect again without a full reboot of the system. Does anyone have any suggestions for this?

(Things I've tried so far: Updating drivers, moving wireless access point closer to computer, unplugging and replugging the wireless card)

[ClosetOtaku]

Had a very similar problem. My connection kept getting dropped; you could almost set your watch by it. Contacted my ISP (Cox Communications) and they recommended I clone my MAC address.

On the Linksys router page, go to "Setup" and select "MAC Address Clone". Enable it (I remember entering the MAC address myself, but it may do it automatically).

Try it -- no harm if it doesn't work. Since I did it, my drops have become fairly rare (maybe once a week at most).

[Mithrandir]

I've had similar problems with Linksys in the past. I switched to a buffalo router, and I haven't had nearly as many issues. YMMV.

I've never heard CO's advice before, but I'd be VERY interested to hear if it works for you.

[Radical Dreamer]

Yeah, I had problems like that with Linksys, too. XD There was one particular week when the thing stopped working altogether, and left half of the house with no wireless connection at all, while the other half simply had a very slow connection. We switched to a NetGear router, which has been working fine thus far and hasn't really displayed the same problems Linksys had.

[Mithrandir]

Yeah, I had problems like that with Linksys, too. XD There was one particular week when the thing stopped working altogether, and left half of the house with no wireless connection at all, while the other half simply had a very slow connection. We switched to a NetGear router, which has been working fine thus far and hasn't really displayed the same problems Linksys had.

This is really ironic, since linksys was a GREAT brand before they were purchased by Cisco, and Cisco had a history of GREAT products. It seems like there's been a bit of a shift recently, and I'm not sure why. I would assume there's a conflict of corporate culture, but since I don't work there anymore, I can't really say for sure.

[MyrrhLynn]

Humm, interesting I might give that MAC address thing a try. Our wireless has randomly started dropping some of our computers for longer and longer periods of time and it's really starting to get annoying. But our router is a few years old already and we didn't have this problem much at all until the past few weeks.

[Slater]

Tried the MAC address thing... I was able to stay connected to the network for long periods of time, but without any internet access... hmm...