topic Massive Wireless Interference in PCs & Accessories

Massive Wireless Interference

Boris71 — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 14:56:46 GMT

Hi, I wasn't sure which forum to put this in, so apologies if it's the wrong one.

I've been trawling the boards for an answer, but with no luck, so having been helped by this forum recently, wondered if someone would be able to offer some advice?

I've got a Vaio FS 415B wireless laptop and a Netgear DG384G v2 - I had wireless connectivity fine up until a couple of weeks ago, but suddenly it's gone!
I can connect to the Internet fine using the router via an ethernet cable, and very occasionally I can 'see' the router's wireless signal on my laptop, whilst even more rarely I can connect to it, only for it to lose the connection again a very short while later.

A further bit of background is that I also have a couple of sets of Philips Video Senders - to transmit Sky to TV's in other parts of the house - (please bear with me) - these also worked fine (alongside the wireless internet) until a couple of weeks ago, but now seem to get a huge amount of interference - which is why I THINK that there is something interfering with the wireless internet connection.
On top of all this, my PSP which worked fine off of the router, is also not able to connect now.
Can anyone offer any advice - I've tried changing the channel, from 11 to 1 and then 6, to no avail.
I'm a little caught with where I locate the router, as there's only one access point for it, so changing that isn't really an option - but in fairness, even when I try linking wirelessly whilst sat right next to the router, it's still a very hit and (predominantly) miss affair.
Would a larger antenna be any good? Anything else?

Thanks in advance.

Boris.

Re: Massive Wireless Interference

Blencogo — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:22:25 GMT

Hi Boris,

Sounds like something new is interfering with the signal - have you bought anything new like a cordless/mobile phone?

Have you tried finding a firmware upgrade for the DG834G on the Netgear site?

Have you tried finding updated drivers for your wireless card? I'm not sure what WiFi card your Vaio has - have a look in Device Manager. The manufacturer's site will often have new drivers.

While you are in Device Manager, double-click on the card and look in Advanced or Power Options - there is usually an option to turn up the power of the card to MAX.

Re: Massive Wireless Interference

Boris71 — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 09:48:56 GMT

Hi Blencogo,

That's the conclusion I'd come to - but it's nothing I've bought - I'm guessing someone nearby has introduced something (checked with one neighbour and although they have wireless apps operating, they've been doing so for the last 5 months - haven't managed to check the other side yet).
Would someone elses signal, outside of my house, affect my syetems?

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I'd upgraded to the latest Netgear Firmware - still no good.

I've not tried finding an updated driver for my wireless card though - I'll give this a go, along with looking at the power given to the card.

Cheers for the suggestions, I'll post how I get on.

Re: Massive Wireless Interference

Boris71 — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 13:53:27 GMT

Still no joy with this.
Have been in contact with Netgear and they believe the router is OK and that the issue is with my laptop's wireless card.
This is possibly backed up by the fact that I can now 'see' my router on my laptop, but it cannot connect.
Also, my PSP is generally able to connect to the internet, via the router.
I checked power settings and I've checked for new card drivers - but nothing has come up.
Awaiting a response from the Vaio Support Team now.

Re: Massive Wireless Interference

kee-lo_ — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:43:51 GMT

I think they'll probably send you back to Netgear, welcome to the merry go round called support.

This is what I like about the Mac, they have a setting to boost the signal if you're in an area with interferance.

Make sure your router is in the middle of the house.

Re: Massive Wireless Interference

Boris71 — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:07:32 GMT

Hi Kee-Lo,

The things is, I can see the router on my laptop - and it's showing a strong signal (5 bars) - it's just that when I try to connect, it looks as though it's trying, but never actually succeeds - kind of times out, but without any error message.

Re: Massive Wireless Interference

Thalamus. — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:03:06 GMT

Hi Boris,

Has a neighbour got a wireless router if so see if they will allow you to try and connect to that, that could help narrow the problem down to either router or Vaio...

Re: Massive Wireless Interference

apierc1 — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:06:00 GMT

Or if they have a wireless laptop (or a frined has one), they could try and connect to your router.

Re: Massive Wireless Interference

Blencogo — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 19:43:01 GMT

Also, I would look in Device Manager to find out which wireless card you have in the Vaio and download the latest drivers for that card from INTEL DOWNLOADS

Re: Massive Wireless Interference

Boris71 — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 20:57:31 GMT

Cheers guys. All good suggestions which I will try.
Is it OK to install non-oem drivers/software?

Re: Massive Wireless Interference

kee-lo_ — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 11:16:07 GMT

Yes, but try to avoid unofficial drivers

Re: Massive Wireless Interference

Boris71 — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 16:08:12 GMT

Well, finally things seem to be sorted, though not entirely sure how?!?
Things went from bad to worse initially, whereby I couldn't even see my router at all - plus my PSP wouldn't connect.
Vaio Support, after giving me some duff info, then suggested a system restore - which I was going to perform, but thought I'd just have another go at resetting the router - and lo and behold, it seems to be working fine - along with my PSP and the fact that the TV signals being sent via a video sender, are also OK.
Weird, but happy it's working again.
Thanks for all the suggestions on here.

Regards.

Re: Massive Wireless Interference

Blencogo — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 16:15:25 GMT

Hi Boris - nice to hear from you again!

Good news that you have sorted your problem - even if you are not sure how !!!!!!!

Another of life's great mysteries solved!