I want to make my network better
08/02/10 Filed in: wireless
Scotty,
My Windows XP laptop keeps falling off the wireless network at home but the Macs are fine.
_________________
Ok. Here's what the deal seems to be. It's very typical of windows to do what's happening on your laptop. This is not the networks fault at all here here's what's going on:
Dell made the hardware, Microsoft made the software, and intel made the wireless hardware on your computer. Currently there are two pieces of software trying to control the one piece of hardware (the wireless card). Generally Windows does the best job at controlling the hardware and the third party (in this case, Intel) does a terrible job.
This is true for your Dell computer. The intel wireless software doesn't seem sophisticated enough to handle joining a modern network with WPA encryption but Windows does just fine. Microsoft built in support for WPA encryption after service pack 1. You are on service pack 3 so well within the required updates. When telling windows to control the card, your computer gets connects to the network just fine. However, if you use the intel software (crap) then the machine doesn't get on.
You want your network encrypted with WPA since WEP (the alternative) can be hacked in about 10 minutes. WPA is much stronger and is the modern way to go.
So, if it were my computer, I would just always use Windows to control the wireless card. You can tell Windows to do this by going to Wireless Network Connection, then select "change advanced settings" then under the "wireless networks" tab, select "allow windows to configure my wireless network settings".
Here's the catch. Sometimes the intel software will challenge Windows and regain control of the hardware. It's crazy I know. If this happens you'll know it because the icons in the lower menu bar of your Windows computer will show you by alerting you.
Basically it boils down to this: You have two pieces of software trying to control one piece of hardware. Windows needs to be in charge but the Intel software won't let it do it's job. I would suggest uninstalling the Intel ProSet software and just relying on Windows. Unless you need the ProSet software for some company related connection like VPN or something like that.
My Windows XP laptop keeps falling off the wireless network at home but the Macs are fine.
_________________
Ok. Here's what the deal seems to be. It's very typical of windows to do what's happening on your laptop. This is not the networks fault at all here here's what's going on:
Dell made the hardware, Microsoft made the software, and intel made the wireless hardware on your computer. Currently there are two pieces of software trying to control the one piece of hardware (the wireless card). Generally Windows does the best job at controlling the hardware and the third party (in this case, Intel) does a terrible job.
This is true for your Dell computer. The intel wireless software doesn't seem sophisticated enough to handle joining a modern network with WPA encryption but Windows does just fine. Microsoft built in support for WPA encryption after service pack 1. You are on service pack 3 so well within the required updates. When telling windows to control the card, your computer gets connects to the network just fine. However, if you use the intel software (crap) then the machine doesn't get on.
You want your network encrypted with WPA since WEP (the alternative) can be hacked in about 10 minutes. WPA is much stronger and is the modern way to go.
So, if it were my computer, I would just always use Windows to control the wireless card. You can tell Windows to do this by going to Wireless Network Connection, then select "change advanced settings" then under the "wireless networks" tab, select "allow windows to configure my wireless network settings".
Here's the catch. Sometimes the intel software will challenge Windows and regain control of the hardware. It's crazy I know. If this happens you'll know it because the icons in the lower menu bar of your Windows computer will show you by alerting you.
Basically it boils down to this: You have two pieces of software trying to control one piece of hardware. Windows needs to be in charge but the Intel software won't let it do it's job. I would suggest uninstalling the Intel ProSet software and just relying on Windows. Unless you need the ProSet software for some company related connection like VPN or something like that.
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