Vista - WiFi network is driving me nuts

On Oct 20, 9:15*pm, "rak" <rak...@newsgroup> wrote:Yes, same problems, unfortunately.

What I really would like is a methodology to troubleshoot whether it
is the card or Vista or the IP stack or....

I don't see much in the event logs for the system. Perhaps there is
more tracing I can turn on?

Also, what does the Unidentified, identifying.. and (I presume)
identified, named network mean?

Don't recall if you have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the wireless
driver from device manager. If not that might help. Otherwise, if you go
to microsoft.com and search on troubleshooting wireless networks you will
find lots of links that may give you some ideas. Although it is primarily
xp based, this might help as a start. Good luck.

"Intermittent Connectivity
In some cases, it is possible to initially obtain a successful connection,
but the wireless connection is automatically disabled or disconnected
without user intervention. The most common causes are the following:
.. 802.1X authentication is enabled on the wireless client and not the
wireless AP
.. Duplicate wireless network name
.. Sources of signal interference
.. Sources of signal attenuation
.. Computer viruses
.. Faulty hardware or outdated wireless network adapter drivers
802.1X Authentication is Enabled on the Wireless Client and Not the Wireless
AP
By default, 802.1X authentication is enabled on all wireless and wired
network connections. In Windows XP SP1, Microsoft changed the authentication
process for wireless networks. If 802.1X authentication is enabled and
802.1X authentication does not complete properly, the connection is dropped.
This typically happens three minutes after the connection has been made
using open system authentication.
To correct this problem for computers running Windows XP with SP1, do the
following:
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Network Connections.
2. In Network Connections, right-click your wireless connection and then
click Properties.
3. Click the Wireless Networks tab.
4. Under Preferred networks, click your wireless network name, and then
click Properties.
5. Click the Authentication tab, and then clear the Enable IEEE 802.1x
authentication for this network check box.
6. Click OK twice to accept the changes.
This procedure is typically not required for computers running Windows XP
with no service packs installed or Windows XP with SP2. However, it is
usually a good idea to verify that 802.1X authentication is disabled when
you are using open system authentication. For Windows XP with SP2, use the
previous procedure. For Windows XP with no service packs installed, do the
following:
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Network Connections.
2. In Network Connections, right-click your wireless connection and then
click Properties.
3. Click the Authentication tab, and then clear the Enable network access
control using IEEE 802.1x check box.
4. Click OK to accept the changes.
Duplicate Wireless Network Name
One of the reasons for intermittent connectivity is that your wireless
network name has been duplicated with another separate wireless network
within range of your wireless clients. For example, you might live in an
apartment building and your wireless network overlaps with another wireless
network with the same wireless network name above or below your apartment.
In this configuration, all of the wireless APs that are advertising the same
wireless network name are considered as belonging to the same wireless
network. In this case, it is possible for your wireless client to choose the
wireless AP of another wireless network over your own wireless APs. If your
wireless client is not configured for the authentication method and keys of
the other wireless network, then you can experience intermittent
connectivity problems, until your wireless client chooses one of your
wireless APs again.
Duplicate wireless network names can result when multiple wireless networks
are set up using the default wireless network name as configured on the
wireless AP. To prevent this problem, always change the default name of the
wireless network when initially configuring the wireless AP.
To verify that your wireless network is not being duplicated by another
wireless network that is within range of your wireless clients, disable or
turn off your wireless APs. Then, use a computer running Windows XP to scan
for the available wireless networks. If your wireless network name appears
in the list of available networks when your wireless APs are turned off,
then you have a duplicate wireless network name. Reconfigure your wireless
AP for a new and unique wireless network name (also known as an SSID).
Sources of Signal Interference
Just as sources of signal interference can cause a lack of connectivity,
they can also cause intermittent connectivity problems when the device
causing the interference is running. Devices such as microwave ovens, baby
monitors, and cordless phones can cause intermittent wireless connectivity
problems when they are running.
To determine whether a source of signal interference is causing intermittent
connectivity loss, try to correlate the times of connectivity loss with the
times that a device causing signal interference is being operated. For
example, does the connectivity loss occur whenever someone uses the
microwave oven or when the baby monitor is turned on in the evening?
Sources of Signal Attenuation
Just as sources of signal attenuation can cause a lack of connectivity, they
can also cause intermittent connectivity problems when the object causing
the attenuation is moved. To determine whether a source of signal
attenuation is causing intermittent connectivity loss, try to correlate the
times of intermittent connectivity with the times that an object that might
cause signal attenuation is moved. For example, does the intermittent
connectivity occur whenever someone opens the large metal door between the
garage and the kitchen?
Computer Viruses
Some computer viruses are known to cause intermittent connectivity problems
for wireless connections. Ensure that you have the latest antivirus
signature for your antivirus software and perform an antivirus scan of your
entire computer to eliminate this possibility.
Faulty Hardware or Outdated Wireless Network Adapter Drivers
Another cause for intermittent connectivity is that the wireless AP or the
wireless network adapter is faulty. This issue can be difficult to
determine. Run any diagnostic facilities of your wireless AP or wireless
network adapter to determine that they are operating properly. Ensure that
you have installed the latest version of the wireless network adapter driver
in Windows XP."

"MikeB" <mpbrede@newsgroup> wrote in message
news:3702fcf0-d223-4969-9b6b-c5c552a9e091@newsgroup