wireless setup

1. Make sure all wireless devices are using the same mode, infrastructure in the most cases.
2. Make sure all wireless devices have the same SSID.
3. Make sure all wireless devices have the same WEP encryption settings if you have enabled them.
4. Make sure you have added the wireless MAC into MAC Address Control if you enable it.
5. Use ipconfig and ping to test the connection. All wireless devices must be in the same IP range.

802.11b (WiFi) cards can communicate in two different modes, Ad Hoc- for direct card-to-card communication and Infrastructure - for communication through an Access Point. If your wireless network doesn't have an AP, you will need to set your cards to use "AdHoc" mode. When setup Ad Hoc mode, make sure all wireless clients use the same mode, channel, web keys and SSID. You may need to setup TCP/IP manually if you don't have DHCP.

Tips for Best Performance

1. Put your Wireless Router at the center of the area that you want to cover.
2. Don't setup wireless devices directly under a Wireless Router.
3. Setup Wireless Router's antenna(s) vertically.
4. Point wireless adapter's antenna toward the Wireless Router.
5. Keep antenna(s) away from radio/TV antenna(s), Wireless phone, microwave and metal fixtures.
6. Place routers and access points high, and as clear of obstructions as practical.
7. If there are more than one wireless routers in the same location, keep the channels out as much as possible.

XP Wireless Network Connection Drops Every Few Minutes

Symptoms: After installed XP SP1, your wireless connection drops and then reconnects every three to five minutes.

Resolution: To resolve this issue, configure your wireless network connection so that it does not use 802.1x authentication.

Wireless appear as disconnected even if it is functioning properly

Symptoms: You may find that wireless network adapter appear as disconnected even if it is connected and is functioning properly.

Infrastructure: all wireless and wired devices communicate with each other by first going through an Access Point (AP) or wireless router.
Ad-hoc: one wireless station communicates directly with other wireless stations without using an access point or a wireless router. However, if you want to access to a wired network, you will need a WAP or a router.
Point-to-Point: the WAPs are setup as a bridge connecting to LANs.

Wireless Network Adapters May Lose Connectivity When They Appear to Be Functioning

Symptoms: your XP computer with a wireless network adapter may lose its IP address and, therefore, it may not have any network connectivity to access the Internet or browse the network.

Resolutions: This issue can occur if the Service Set Identifier (SSID) for that network has not been added to the list of preferred networks. This can occur if infrastructure networks are detected and wireless detection has been set to auto configuration (the network has not been previously associated with and has not failed an 802.1x authentication attempt). To resolve this issue, add the Service Set Identifier (SSID) of the network. To do this, go to properties of the wireless connection>Wireless Networks>Configure. In the Network Name (SSID) box, type the SSID that you want to add.

Wireless stops working while the connection is good

Symptoms: 1) Your wireless can't access the Internet and LAN while it is still plugged in and the Status shows good connection. 2) If wireless status shows excellent but ip is 169.x.x.x

Resolutions: 1. If you enable Web, make sure you use the correct keys.
2. Make sure authentication is unchecked.
3. Check the power management properties and make sure you're not letting windows shut down the device.
4. Make sure you have latest drivers.

1. Change the default SSID after testing the initial setup.
2. Enable WEP encryption settings.
3. Enable MAC Address Control.

How to: disable Wireless Auto Configuration ...

Tips for Best Performance

XP Wireless Network Connection Drops Every Few Minutes

Symptoms: After installed XP SP1, your wireless connection drops and then reconnects every three to five minutes.

Resolution: To resolve this issue, configure your wireless network connection so that it does not use 802.1x authentication.

Wireless appear as disconnected even if it is functioning properly

Symptoms: You may find that wireless network adapter appear as disconnected even if it is connected and is functioning properly.

Resolution: The problem occurs if the wireless network adapter does not support the Wireless Zero Configuration service. Install latest SP may fix this issue.

Wireless Network Adapters May Lose Connectivity When They Appear to Be Functioning

How to: disable Wireless Auto Configuration ...

Tips for Best Performance

XP Wireless Network Connection Drops Every Few Minutes

Symptoms: After installed XP SP1, your wireless connection drops and then reconnects every three to five minutes. Resolution: To resolve this issue, configure your wireless network connection so that it does not use 802.1x authentication.

Wireless appear as disconnected even if it is functioning properly

Symptoms: You may find that wireless network adapter appear as disconnected even if it is connected and is functioning properly.

Resolution: The problem occurs if the wireless network adapter does not support the Wireless Zero Configuration service. Install latest SP may fix this issue.

Wireless Network Adapters May Lose Connectivity When They Appear to Be Functioning

Symptoms: After installed XP SP1, your wireless connection drops and then reconnects every three to five minutes.

Resolution: To resolve this issue, configure your wireless network connection so that it does not use 802.1x authentication.