Infuriating 802.11b problem - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

tritium · 03-11-2004, 06:28 PM

I must have 802.11b to have access in my room. My problem is that my Win2000 and WinXP computers spontaneously switch from my network to my neighbors. In doing so, I usually lose any connections I had had previously. Its infuriating! (Particularlly when I'm playing an online game like BF1942 and my connection is dropped.)

How can I keep my computers from switching over? It switches over several times an hour... and its really pissing me off.

And which wireless router uses "wireless" as the default SSID? If I can determine that, I'll drive around the corner, log into their router and disable SSID broadcast. edit: on channel 6

tritium · 03-11-2004, 06:47 PM

Netstumbler identifies the AP as being a "Gemtek (D-Link)" ...

What's Gemtek's relationship to D-Link?

Mephisto2 · 03-11-2004, 07:21 PM

Can't you simply change your client so as it does NOT automatically associate?

If you setup your client to associate to only a particular SSID, then you should have no problem. That is, unless you are using the same SSID as another nearby AP. In that case, change yours.

Mr Mephisto

tritium · 03-11-2004, 08:24 PM

My SSID has always been "Jericho". I've even gone as far as changing to channel 8 (whereas my neighbor uses the default channel 6).

My systems still try to shift onto his network. Drives me crazy.

westothemax · 03-11-2004, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tritium
My SSID has always been "Jericho". I've even gone as far as changing to channel 8 (whereas my neighbor uses the default channel 6).

My systems still try to shift onto his network. Drives me crazy.

Channel 6 and 8 overlap.

http://www.qsl.net/n9zia/dsss-channels.html

You should check to see if your computers are set to auto-associate to the strongest signal. Ah I can't remember the details right now.

himself · 03-11-2004, 10:12 PM

Switch off Windows "Wireless Zero Admin" service in your control panel, and manually configure the Wireless connection for the AP you WANT to associate with. With this config, Windows won't constantly be looking for a "better" signal...

tritium · 03-12-2004, 12:31 AM

Found and shut off the Wireless Zero Admin service under the Services tool in Windows. Not sure where to find the 802.11b setup now (WEP, Preferred network, etc.) ... its gone from the doubleclick>properties dialog for the wireless adaptor under Network Connections.

God of Thunder · 03-12-2004, 03:52 AM

You can also try setting up the security on the router to filter by MAC address. Your neighbor will have to do the same. That way only specified NIC'swill be able to access.

If your neighbor does that and dis-allows your NIC, that should solve the problem.

Cynthetiq · 03-12-2004, 08:13 AM

MAC filter is best. I filtered out my neighbor and slowly disabled all his access. I'm sure he was scratching his head for many days trying to figure out what's wrong with his machine.

tritium · 03-12-2004, 06:51 PM

I've already tried leaving notes in his mailbox, and recently one asking if I could help. No responses so far, so it falls to me to find a solution on my end.

I use MAC filtering on my router, and a intruder dection script with a built in netsend to anyone with an unauthorized MAC attempting access of any sort (a hold over from before I had MAC filtering enabled). I've never had him on my network, just me on his.

Like I said, he's not coming onto my network, I'm accidentally invading his.

03-11-2004, 06:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
tritium Professor of Drinkology	Infuriating 802.11b problem I must have 802.11b to have access in my room. My problem is that my Win2000 and WinXP computers spontaneously switch from my network to my neighbors. In doing so, I usually lose any connections I had had previously. Its infuriating! (Particularlly when I'm playing an online game like BF1942 and my connection is dropped.) How can I keep my computers from switching over? It switches over several times an hour... and its really pissing me off. And which wireless router uses "wireless" as the default SSID? If I can determine that, I'll drive around the corner, log into their router and disable SSID broadcast. edit: on channel 6 __________________ Blah. Last edited by tritium; 03-11-2004 at 06:37 PM..

03-11-2004, 06:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
tritium Professor of Drinkology	Netstumbler identifies the AP as being a "Gemtek (D-Link)" ... What's Gemtek's relationship to D-Link? __________________ Blah. Last edited by tritium; 03-11-2004 at 06:52 PM..

03-11-2004, 08:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
tritium Professor of Drinkology	My SSID has always been "Jericho". I've even gone as far as changing to channel 8 (whereas my neighbor uses the default channel 6). My systems still try to shift onto his network. Drives me crazy. __________________ Blah.

03-12-2004, 12:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
tritium Professor of Drinkology	Found and shut off the Wireless Zero Admin service under the Services tool in Windows. Not sure where to find the 802.11b setup now (WEP, Preferred network, etc.) ... its gone from the doubleclick>properties dialog for the wireless adaptor under Network Connections. __________________ Blah.

03-12-2004, 03:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
God of Thunder Talk nerdy to me Location: Flint, MI	You can also try setting up the security on the router to filter by MAC address. Your neighbor will have to do the same. That way only specified NIC'swill be able to access. If your neighbor does that and dis-allows your NIC, that should solve the problem. __________________ I reject your reality, and substitute my own -- Adam Savage

03-11-2004, 07:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	Can't you simply change your client so as it does NOT automatically associate? If you setup your client to associate to only a particular SSID, then you should have no problem. That is, unless you are using the same SSID as another nearby AP. In that case, change yours. Mr Mephisto

03-11-2004, 10:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
himself Upright	Switch off Windows "Wireless Zero Admin" service in your control panel, and manually configure the Wireless connection for the AP you WANT to associate with. With this config, Windows won't constantly be looking for a "better" signal...

03-12-2004, 08:13 AM	#9 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	MAC filter is best. I filtered out my neighbor and slowly disabled all his access. I'm sure he was scratching his head for many days trying to figure out what's wrong with his machine. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

03-12-2004, 06:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
tritium Professor of Drinkology	I've already tried leaving notes in his mailbox, and recently one asking if I could help. No responses so far, so it falls to me to find a solution on my end. I use MAC filtering on my router, and a intruder dection script with a built in netsend to anyone with an unauthorized MAC attempting access of any sort (a hold over from before I had MAC filtering enabled). I've never had him on my network, just me on his. Like I said, he's not coming onto my network, I'm accidentally invading his. __________________ Blah.