Belkin Router Playing "Butter-Fingers" with Connection

[Hi-ASL]

Hello everyone, you probably haven't noticed but I'm on a big "solve my computer woes" tip this weekend. Let's press on:

Some time back I bought a Belkin 54mbps Wireless G Router, in order to set up a home network:

Alas, everytime I connect this thing, and set up a connection between my desktop and my laptop, the connection is always highly unstable - coming and going every few minutes or so. It seems to be a common problem with Belkin routers. Are they rubbish, or is this something that's easily remedied?

 

[The Groke]

IME Blehkin wireless kit is shit - for precisely the reason you have stated.

Both the ones I had were up and down like a tarts knickers.


I found the only solution was to bin them and go and buy linksys instead.

 

[Hi-ASL]

It's a frequently-expressed view. I've also had two - the first one just died on me shortly after installing.

 

[keybored]

Do you have any security enabled? I've a Dynamode that does exactly this if I enable WPA. Turn off the security and it's fine, I just use MAC filtering instead now (not ideal, but better than nothing).

 

[Hi-ASL]

Do you have any security enabled? I've a Dynamode that does exactly this if I enable WPA. Turn off the security and it's fine, I just use MAC filtering instead now (not ideal, but better than nothing).

Sorry, but I'm a bit of a drooling imbecile and have no idea what most of this means!

I have, er, a software firewall installed, he says, sounding very unsure of himself. Disabling that isn't really a viable option for me on account of all the nasty viruses, germs and assorted bogeymen that are, even now, feeling their murky way around it's perimeter.

 

[magneze]

Yeah, my Belkin dropped out quite a bit - was my first wireless router so I thought it was normal, but the Speedtouch I got with Be never drops out.

 

[Xanadu]

Are there many other wireless connections in the area? Is so, it could be the channel you're using.

 

[Hi-ASL]

Are there many other wireless connections in the area? Is so, it could be the channel you're using.

Don't think so - I'm in a cul-de-sac and there don't seem to be too many likely candidates for this. But how would I switch channels to check this - is it simply a manner of plugging the cable into a different port or are there software settings to adjust?

 

[gnoriac]

If there are other routers around that your pc can see and you're running xp, it could be the Wireless Zero Config service periodically looking for a better connection and leaving you in limbo. You could try stopping the service once you have a connection and see if that helps. If however you subsequently lose your connection you'll have to restart WZC before your wireless will hook up again.

If this works for you, you can make it a bit easier by creating an icon on your desktop that runs:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\net.exe stop wzcsvc

 

[Radar]

Don't think so - I'm in a cul-de-sac and there don't seem to be too many likely candidates for this. But how would I switch channels to check this - is it simply a manner of plugging the cable into a different port or are there software settings to adjust?

You need to hit the management interface of the router. Fire up a browser and enter it's address.

 

[Hi-ASL]

If there are other routers around that your pc can see and you're running xp, it could be the Wireless Zero Config service periodically looking for a better connection and leaving you in limbo. You could try stopping the service once you have a connection and see if that helps. If however you subsequently lose your connection you'll have to restart WZC before your wireless will hook up again.

If this works for you, you can make it a bit easier by creating an icon on your desktop that runs:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\net.exe stop wzcsvc

Assuming that this is right, how do I restart WZC - is there a handy command line for that?

You need to hit the management interface of the router. Fire up a browser and enter it's address.

As I was trying to figure out what this means, exactly, I came across a Belkin help page on "frequent wireless disconnects," which sounds promising. I'm not at home right now but I think I'll go through this later. Address (for others with the same problem):

http://www.belkin.com/support/article/?lid=en&pid=F5D7230-4&aid=2437&scid=221

Some good lines of investigation here, I think. Thanks to both.

 

[gnoriac]

Assuming that this is right, how do I restart WZC - is there a handy command line for that?

Dunno, I just found it handy when I worked in an office block with loadsa networks. Soon as I connected, stopped WZC and I was ok for the rest of the day. Hopefully one of the urbs who works in windows support will be along at some stage.

 

[keybored]

Hopefully one of the urbs who works in windows support will be along at some stage.

I dunno... if I had to do that all week I'd be getting blitzed off my tits every weekend just to escape

 

[Sunray]

I doubt that its totally inoperable. The unfortunate issue with wireless routers is that they aren't totally straight forward to get working.

Do you need to use wireless, I have the router 1m from my PC so just plug in a cable. Will save you from hassle and more secure.

If you do then you need to read the manual on how to change channels and enable and disable security. Where are the router and PC located? I've found reception highly dependant on where the router is positioned so do take that into consideration. The signal will not go through things.

 

[Hi-ASL]

The network on my new Linksys router has been up and running stably for 3 hours. My shitty Belkin router will shortly go on eBay. Do not buy it.

The end.

 

[Fez909]

I've have bought three LinkSys routers and the first, and third, are still running. I broke one myself trying to put a custom firmware on, so my fault. Can't fault them at all.

I shared a house with a guy with a Belkin router and it died after a few months. The replacement also died. I'd never buy one of them.

Glad you got sorted!