Wireless Connection Issues

K

Kr4zyChris

Member
I bought my desktop 6 months ago and have experienced ongoing WiFi issues. I have put up with it until now because i can't access my steam purchases without being online which I can't achieve. Whenever I go to connect to my Wifi and put in my password the screen says "verifying and connecting", then after a while says "it's taking longer than usual to connect". After about a minute it tells me it can't connect to my wifi. All other devices work with my wifi. I am running Windows 8 64-bit. Help would be much appreciated!
 
Rakk

Rakk

The Awesome
Moderator
This may sound like a stupid question, but you did connect the antenna to your wireless card didn't you?
 
steaky360

steaky360

Moderator
Moderator
I think some advice relating to this exact thing should be a stick somewhere. I would suggest its the number 1 reason for new computer wireless issues.

On a separate note however, if you are having trouble connecting and the antenna's are installed, it could be a few things. Might be worth logging into the router to see if you can change the channel your router is using (other devices using the same channel can cause interference) its the advice I was given from Billion when my router stopped working wirelessly.
 
ubuysa

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
steaky360 said:
I think some advice relating to this exact thing should be a stick somewhere. I would suggest its the number 1 reason for new computer wireless issues.

On a separate note however, if you are having trouble connecting and the antenna's are installed, it could be a few things. Might be worth logging into the router to see if you can change the channel your router is using (other devices using the same channel can cause interference) its the advice I was given from Billion when my router stopped working wirelessly.
Click to expand...

Indeed, interference from other hotspots on the same channel is common. Get hold of InSSIDer from http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/, it's free and it will do a site survey showing you the channels that all the local hotspots are using. 1, 6 and 11 are typically over-used and picking a different channel can often make big improvements to apparent speed.
 
ubuysa

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
Kr4zyChris said:
The problem has reoccurred today which makes me think that there is another problem to do with the wireless aspect of my PC.
Click to expand...

Is it an Intel wifi card? There are lots of reported problems on the web with various Intel wifi cards. If I were buying my Optimus IV again I would not buy an Intel wifi card.

Have you checked that you have the latest driver for you wifi card?

Are you using Windows to make the connections or software provided with the card? In my experience Windows generally does a better job, I've seen several instances where third-party connection software was the problem. So I'd let Windows manage your connections.

If none of that helps you may be looking at a fairly lengthy diagnosis to find the problem. It's likely I think to be radio interference. Microwaves, fluorescent lights, mobile phones, even faulty light switches, have been known to interfere with wifi (microwaves especially). I would try moving any radio-frequency emitting devices as far away from your PC and the router as you can get them. Switch off all those you don't actually need for a while and see what happens.

Is there anything helpful in the Windows Event Log? Does your card have software that enables you to log the wifi activities? If so turn it on.

My thinking now is that it's either a bad/outdated driver, a flaky card (quite possible), or radio interference.
 
Rakk

Rakk

The Awesome
Moderator
ubuysa said:
Is it an Intel wifi card? There are lots of reported problems on the web with various Intel wifi cards. If I were buying my Optimus IV again I would not buy an Intel wifi card.
Click to expand...

Looking at his previous posts I'm thinking its a desktop with a 'WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps PCI CARD (£16)' card.
 
K

Kr4zyChris

Member
Rakk said:
Looking at his previous posts I'm thinking its a desktop with a 'WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps PCI CARD (£16)' card.
Click to expand...

The card in the quote is the one I bought. I complained to PC Specialist and they replaced the wireless card but the problems still persists. How can I take steps to making sure windows manages my connections?
 
P

PokerFace

Banned
Kr4zyChris said:
I bought my desktop 6 months ago and have experienced ongoing WiFi issues. I have put up with it until now because i can't access my steam purchases without being online which I can't achieve. Whenever I go to connect to my Wifi and put in my password the screen says "verifying and connecting", then after a while says "it's taking longer than usual to connect". After about a minute it tells me it can't connect to my wifi. All other devices work with my wifi. I am running Windows 8 64-bit. Help would be much appreciated!
Click to expand...

Rakk said:
Looking at his previous posts I'm thinking its a desktop with a 'WIRELESS 802.11N 300Mbps PCI CARD (£16)' card.
Click to expand...

Well spotted Holmes :detective:
 
adator

adator

Enthusiast
Would home plugs be an option? they would be more reliable. My WiFi is also a bit crap with my desktop although mine is Intel built into the motherboard.
 
ubuysa

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
Kr4zyChris said:
The card in the quote is the one I bought. I complained to PC Specialist and they replaced the wireless card but the problems still persists. How can I take steps to making sure windows manages my connections?
Click to expand...

How do you connect to your hotspot currently?

Do you click the Windows network icon in the system bar (at the right) View attachment 3697 and slide in the blue bar down the right-hand-side of the screen from where you select which hotspot? That's the Windows way (in Windows 8 that is).

Or

Do you click some other network icon in the system bar or on the desktop that opens a window from where you select which hotspot? That's the third-party software way. If you use this method look in the Tools or Options section for an entry that say something like "Let Windows Manage Network Connections" and select that.

Have you tried to identify an sources of radio interference? As adator says, homeplugs might be a better option if you are experiencing interference from somewhere.
 
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K

Kr4zyChris

Member
I use the 'Windows 8' way which doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere. I had a look at home plugs and they'd look more reliable for an Internet connection due to the Ethernet cable connection
 
ubuysa

ubuysa

The BSOD Doctor
Kr4zyChris said:
I use the 'Windows 8' way which doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere. I had a look at home plugs and they'd look more reliable for an Internet connection due to the Ethernet cable connection
Click to expand...

I think they are probably your best bet. Just tracking down potential radio interference of your wifi is going to be difficult, removing it might be nearly impossible. :)
 
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