Wireless probs (yet again)

**rock_lobster** · 07-14-09, 11:24 PM

So I am running on wireless internet these days, and it seems to work ok for the most part. However, anytime I start to use any type of heafty bandwith, my computer freezes up for about 5 seconds, then unfreezes for the same amount of time, then freezes for 5 seconds again, continuing this cycle, until I right click the computer on the bottom right of my screen and click repair.

After that, it disconnects the adapter, fixes it, and all is well again, until the next rigamoro.

I want to blame the cheapness of the card, but I'm not sure. I've had nothing but problems. Would you guys recommend the ease of a usb wifi adapter?

**yayupp** · 07-15-09, 01:50 AM

Have you installed the latest drivers for it?

**Phyrelight** · 07-15-09, 10:02 AM

wireless for gaming = suxors! Buy an Ethernet cable and/or router and plug in directly.

**rock_lobster** · 07-15-09, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by yayupp

Have you installed the latest drivers for it?

I believe so. The deal is, I have a buffalo router, but when I go the list of available networks, it just says "Wireless network". it's the only one that I believe to be mine, so I use that one. Now, when I go to device manager, I dont see anything referring to my actual wireless card, just something referring to my mobo ( i think) under network adpaters. Those drivers are updated.

Originally Posted by Phyrelight

wireless for gaming = suxors! Buy an Ethernet cable and/or router and plug in directly.

Unfortunately until I graduate college in the fall, I have to live at home. My parents want the modem in the living room with their computer, so I am forced to either buy my own connection or use wireless....wireless is cheaper.

I'll be honest, the wireless card I bought was like $10. Are wireless cards the type of hardware you shouldnt skimp on? Or would me buying a more expensive one (or a better name brand) most likely fix my prob?

**yayupp** · 07-15-09, 03:46 PM

In device manager, you should see some kind of wireless adapter under network adapter. It should have 802.11x (x=a or b or g or n or a combination) somewhere in the name.

Are you saying, when you "view available wireless networks" that you see buffalo router or, if not, what do you see?

**Phyrelight** · 07-15-09, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by rock_lobster

Originally Posted by yayupp

Have you installed the latest drivers for it?

I believe so. The deal is, I have a buffalo router, but when I go the list of available networks, it just says "Wireless network". it's the only one that I believe to be mine, so I use that one. Now, when I go to device manager, I dont see anything referring to my actual wireless card, just something referring to my mobo ( i think) under network adpaters. Those drivers are updated.

Originally Posted by Phyrelight

wireless for gaming = suxors! Buy an Ethernet cable and/or router and plug in directly.

Unfortunately until I graduate college in the fall, I have to live at home. My parents want the modem in the living room with their computer, so I am forced to either buy my own connection or use wireless....wireless is cheaper.

I'll be honest, the wireless card I bought was like $10. Are wireless cards the type of hardware you shouldnt skimp on? Or would me buying a more expensive one (or a better name brand) most likely fix my prob?

yes you get what you pay for, you want a g or n draft card. Here is a decent wireless adapter only $23
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833130111

There are other options such as power line Ethernet. $150 setup extends the network over the power line. I use it successfully for my home media server, PS3 and DVR.

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=495008

that is gigabit, it's not as good as an actual line but it beats wireless.

**rock_lobster** · 07-16-09, 12:52 AM

[img width=700 height=437]http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/856/wirelesshelpttp.png[/img]

That is what I see in my device manager. My card is a Trendnet card, which I thought I should see when looking for it under the device manager, but I dont. I see the Realtek mumbo jumbo.

[img width=700 height=437]http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff65/rocklobster21/wirelesshelpttp2.jpg[/img]

That is what I see when viewing available wireless networks. The red box indicates which one I am using. Not sure why it's named that though.

Does that look right to anyone? I have absolutely no experience with any other wireless net other than mine, so I dont know what to even compare it to.

**yayupp** · 07-16-09, 01:02 AM

I believe that is your card.

I think the realtek is the chipset on that card.

Also, is the network secured?

**rock_lobster** · 07-16-09, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by yayupp

I believe that is your card.

I think the realtek is the chipset on that card.

Also, is the network secured?

No it isnt. May sound like a dumb question, but could that be a huge factor in my problem?

**Phyrelight** · 07-16-09, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by rock_lobster

Originally Posted by yayupp

I believe that is your card.

I think the realtek is the chipset on that card.

Also, is the network secured?

No it isnt. May sound like a dumb question, but could that be a huge factor in my problem?

it can be if others are piggybacking on your signal, at the very minimum I would turn off the broadcast of your SSID and enable mac filtering, that is minimum!

I would also update the firmware on your wireless router and make sure you have changed it's password to something other than the default.