Wireless networking
 

At my house we have a computer downstairs connected to dsl, and my computer upstairs. They're outfitted with a Linksys wireless network set up, which was definetely set up correctly. The reason I say this is that whenever I'm on aim, I'm constantly getting kicked off. If I play WC3 or some game online, it'll usually disconnect me before the game starts, or as soon as it loads.
My question is this: What could possibly be causing this? Is there interference in my wireless? Is there something wrong with our router/firewall? Or could it just be the DSL?
BTW, I'm in Southern California, so if anyone down here has been having similar problems, it would be very comforting to hear.

Happen to notice if the phone is ringing at the same time or someone using a 2.4ghz device at the same time?

It does it constantly.
Even at like 2 in the morning when the rest of the family is asleep.
So i don't think that's the problem.
And the only other 2.4ghz thing in the house would be my computer. But that's probably not the problem causer I'd hope.

it could be that or your house is interfering with the signal. it sounds like you are getting a signal that is weak and in my experince when it is weak (but does connect) it will drop off and on. Another thing is seems when I was still using linksys Wireless stuff the heavier the traffic put on it the weaker the signal got. If you dont switch to wired network, get yourself a wireless relay or more and try to keep only one wall between any 2 points, and try to get a point near the stairs so it can travel down them. (yes it sounds silly, but the signals really hate going through walls and even hate it more going through floors).

I actually probably would put it on wep if you haven't, and check to see if you have any options on that may interfere with it.

The thing about wireless networking is there's a lot more packet dropping then with with standard cable. So you naturally have more latency. I believe the best thing to do would either be boost the signal or do a drop.

Well it sounds like I'm pretty much screwed.
My house seems to be set up perfectly against me.
The two computers are almost at opposite ends of the house.

try an orinoco card. They have the best range.

I'm back.
I thought I had the problem licked as I managed to have a couple periods where I was online for ~1 day each. Usually I got booted every 10-20 minutes. Now, it seems to randomly do it.
If it is the phone interfering with the signal, which is my guess now, will it only do it when someone's using the phone? Or should I move the phone base somewhere else? As it happens, the phone base and the router are almost right next to each other, as the DSL goes through the phone line. Any information about how it interferes would be greatly appreciated.

I have got a 2.4 ghz D-Link Wireless Router w/ 4 port switch. 3 computers are on the switch and a laptop using the wireless portion of it. It's basically doing the exact same thing as yours. My only guess is that it's a problem with the router, and perhaps you're having the same problem. I'll be taking the router back to the store as soon as possible and will see if anything is fixed.

But yeah, about every 2 hours I lose my connection to the network, and internet. It's usually only for about 1 second, but it's enough to drop me from games on StarCraft / WarCraft, kill downloads, and interupt conversations I'm having with people online, which is a serious pain in the ass.

Wow, that sounds like the exact same thing that is happening to me. And I'm tired of getting losses in WC3 from Disconnecting, as well as getting yelled at for not responding quickly enough on aim. If you find out something that can fix it, make sure to let me know!

First off the phone doesn't nessacrily have to be ringing from my understanding. Clarkster...its not the phone itself but the signal. If you are using a 2.4 ghz phone that is the exact spectrum that your wireless router is using to transmit its signal from your computer to your router. Other devices can use this spectrum as well such as microwaves. First off I would check how strong the signal is you are recieving from the router.

I think it would be helpful as well if we knew what standard you are running. 802.11b or 802.11g. Also, as stated before if you do a lot of gaming I would reccomend trying to get hardwired as opposed to wireless as the constant sending and receiving of information that is required when playing online games can really be hard on a wireless network (especially 802.11b) because the data stream of 11megabits per second is not that incredible.

Actualy, there are some 200mw cards you can get for $150 or so, that have much better range then orinocos. orniocos are good cards, though.

Ya, I have the B. It's all that I saw at Best Buy and I didn't know where else to get one. And to be hardwired would be near impossible unless I drilled holes in most of the walls and floor in our house.

are you sure it is the wireless? more then likely it is the DSL. What makes you believe it is the wireless? What DSL modem do you have? Look at the internet connection light on the modem and make sure it is always lit.

run netstumbler and watch the signal to noise for the wireless connection. www.netstumbler.org seeif you see dropouts or any odd behaviour at the same time ,

Moving the phone base away from the router would be a good thing to do. Try to get it as far away from anything that will be using the wireless stuff. It sounds like a pain in the butt, but you even need to try to keep the base out from between the device and router. The phone base can cause interference even when the phone is not in use since it still communicates with the phone itself.

Try connecting directly to your dsl modem for online games rather than wirelessly.