The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: billt on January 19, 2010, 07:11:46 AM
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I got everything up and running with our 2 new desktops, but there is an issue I'm having with the adapter on Mel's computer. My computer is hard lined right into the Cable Modem / Router. Hers is in the other room and is a wireless connection via Netgear N+ Router and wireless adapter that plugs into her USB port.
The problem is when she turns the computer on and it boots up, it will not connect to the Internet. All I have to do is unplug the adapter, then plug it in again, and it works fine for as long as the computer is left on. It is as if something happens when the computer shuts down? I thought it was a loose connection, but that isn't it. I tried a different USB port and that didn't help either. The Router and adapter are both Netgear, and when they work, they work beautifully. Also the Router is on 24 / 7. My laptop also has a wireless card built in and it has the same issues until the adapter is unplugged, then plugged in again, so it is definitely the adapter. Any ideas? I'm no good at troubleshooting these things. Thanks, Bill T.
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Sounds like a "security" issue. Do you have an auto log-in enabled with your router? I'm thinking it may be set to exclude "outside" wireless connectivity, or to allow a single wireless connection. When you turn-off the laptop and then try to reconnect, it thinks it is "foreign" and won't let it in. When you unplug-re-plug, that resets it to "allow one" and the laptop can sign in. Probably a simple fix in your wireless set-up menu, but you may have to make a big bonfire and start with all new equipment. That's the best way to help the economy. Good luck. Computer problems can reduce the best of us to stammering idiots in such a short amount of time. (I think they may be possessed)
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t may be a security interface issue, but I'm not so sure. Simply removing then re-inserting the adapter should not overcome a security issue. I'm guessing maybe something on the laptop and desktop setup.
I'll check with #1 son when he arises this AM and see what he has to say - this is his field.
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Thanks. I don't think it's the laptop because it happens when the laptop is off. Bill T.
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I would guess it's the boot sequence. If you have a disc, or web site you can get the software from before doing this your all set. Go to "installed programs" and uninstall the software for the wireless card. Go back into control panel and get the list of "installed devices" (maybe under "my computer", or if you right click on the icon for whatever you named your computer. Once you find the "installed devices" list uninstall the wireless card. Turn off the computer, turn it back on, and windows will say. "found new hardware". It may ask you for the disk with the drivers, or not, but let it finish, then reinstall the software for the wireless card.
I started to type a big long explanation for why this works, but you probably don't really care, so long as it DOES work. ;)
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Rule 1 for Netgear is to completely uninstall the faulty device ie the usb adapter and reinstall. 9/10 times that fixes it.
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Rule 1 for Netgear is to completely uninstall the faulty device ie the usb adapter and reinstall. throw it away and install Linksys. 9/10 times that fixes it pretty much every time..
Edited for accuracy. ;D
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Check and see if your wireless connection is your default/automatic connection. You can set the properties of the primary home Netgear connection to Home.
Make sure you have it security enabled, or your neighbors can "bum" your wireless connection. If you tell the laptop to "remember" this password it should be automatic.
Keyword is "should".....
P.S. Bill Gates is the devil.....
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I am guessing it is running winblowz so the only help I can offer is to get a MAC ;)
Check and see if your wireless connection is your default/automatic connection. You can set the properties of the primary home Netgear connection to Home.
Make sure you have it security enabled, or your neighbors can "bum" your wireless connection. If you tell the laptop to "remember" this password it should be automatic.
Keyword is "should".....
P.S. Bill Gates is the devil.....
+1 to all of that
also with the PC's do they also have built in Wireless adapters as well as you using the USB one as you could try using the buit in one some PC ( well most ) have a switch on them to turn that on or off there might be a conflict between them both ???
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1) Get a big hammer!
2) Modify everything on the system with sharp blows of the metal end of the hammer!
3) Buy a Mac.....
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also with the PC's do they also have built in Wireless adapters as well as you using the USB one as you could try using the buit in one some PC ( well most ) have a switch on them to turn that on or off there might be a conflict between them both ???
My laptop has a built in wireless card, (most all do now), and that computer works fine and receives the signal without issue. It's the adapter in her computer that is having problems. The issue is with the adapter not the router which is working fine, that I'm certain of because the other 2 PC's run like the wind. So does hers for that matter once I unplug it and plug it back in. Bill T.
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what model USB adapter is it and what OS version are you running ??
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If it's a desk top computer, physically remove the adapter from the computer (take you more time to find the screw driver than to remove the card ;)), then uninstall the software. Reboot with the card out, and the software gone, shut down, then reinstall the card. Start up the computer, install the software fresh. = Fixed. :)
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what model USB adapter is it and what OS version are you running ??
The adapter is a Netgear RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB Adapter WNDA3100V2
I'm running Windows 7 Premium Edition. Bill T.
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If it's a desk top computer, physically remove the adapter from the computer (take you more time to find the screw driver than to remove the card ;)), then uninstall the software. Reboot with the card out, and the software gone, shut down, then reinstall the card. Start up the computer, install the software fresh. = Fixed. :)
It's not a card. It is a USB plug in unit. (It looks like a Flash Drive, and is about the size of a pack of gum.) Bill T.
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Here is the deal. The adapter has a LED on it that shows amber and blue color. Without touching anything, and simply booting up the computer the blue light comes on. So it is definitely getting power at start up. Then as the operating system boots up, (after I enter the password), it suddenly goes out. No Internet will come up. I then simply unplug it and replug it and all is fine for as long as the system stays on. Nothing wrong with the cord, the unit, or the USB port. Bill T.
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Don't know if you are interested in another approach, but if so, try this.
Open a Command Prompt window (either find this icon in Start/Programs/Accessories-WinXP or use the Run feature and enter Command)
at the prompt type ipconfig /renew all and hit enter.
This should "initialize" your network connections and perhaps will work for you.
If so, you can create a script file possible name NetInit.cmd and put it in a folder, perhaps c:\scripts
Then put it in your startup group
good luck
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I know this is not the "proper" fix, and I don't even know if it will work, but tonight instead of shutting down the computer, I'm just going to put it to sleep and turn off the monitor and speakers. Then I'll "wake it up" tomorrow and see if it still stays running.
What exactly shuts down in "sleep mode"? Do the fans, hard drive, and other mechanical devices shut down?? In other words, what continues to "wear out" in sleep mode? Bill T.
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I have a Dell desktop that hasn't been shut down, except to move recently, in nearly six or seven years. It'll be obsolete before anything wears out IMO...actually, it's already obsolete....but I don't care, it still works fine...
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Mel went to the store just now so I put it to sleep. I don't think this is going to work because when I did the LED on the adapter went out. That means it's getting zero power, so I'll probably have to do the unplug, plug, ritual when I wake it up when she gets back. We'll see. Bill T.
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I know this is not the "proper" fix, and I don't even know if it will work, but tonight instead of shutting down the computer, I'm just going to put it to sleep and turn off the monitor and speakers. Then I'll "wake it up" tomorrow and see if it still stays running.
What exactly shuts down in "sleep mode"? Do the fans, hard drive, and other mechanical devices shut down?? In other words, what continues to "wear out" in sleep mode? Bill T.
Bill,
First, you probably don't have to worry about parts wearing out in sleep, or at all really. Sleep shuts every thing down, but maintains electricity running through the RAM so you don't have to load Windows again on boot. I personally shut all my machines down when not in use, because I like having that fresh run of Windows, but do whatevers easiest. Also know that its always good to restart the machine after installing software or hardware, that requires an actual 'install'.
On with your problem, there could be many things wrong with the adapter, or its configuration, it sounds like its not getting enough power on start up, or you USB configuration isn't allowing it to be picked up properly. Most everything will get the power light when plugged in, even if its not enough power to run that hardware, but it still can't properly function with it. My suggestion is to try and get it the most power possible. Do you have jumper cables.... Just look at where the adapters plugged into, and try and plug the guy into the computer's mainboard, by the keyboard and monitor inputs on the back. If its in the front or top by the camera card readers than your probably not getting picked up because the machine not loading the peripheral bay, do to its cabling configuration.
But like I said, there could be a thousand things wrong with it, but give this a try.
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Bill, Found this at Tom's Hardware under a review of the WNDA3100V2-
Be aware that as of this writing, Netgear’s WNDA3100 drivers do not officially support Windows 7 or 64-bit versions of XP or Vista, and if you’re running XP you’ll need at least Service Pack 2. Netgear provides a one-year warranty for the adapter.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/buy-zune-hd,2502-10.html (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/buy-zune-hd,2502-10.html)
All is no lost though. Try loading the latest version of the driver from here and installing:
http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/12115/kw/WNDA3100V2%20drivers/r_id/100109 (http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/12115/kw/WNDA3100V2%20drivers/r_id/100109)
Even though it says XP and Vista, one of the fixes looks like your issue. and often MS doesn't give a driver it's official WHQL stamp of approval (making it Windows ver XXXX approved) for quite some time.
Barring that solving the problem, I'd just plug the adapter in after the computer starts up, as that seems to work. Netgear should fix the issue soon if the newer driver doesn't work. Seems to be a recognition problem at start up. heck, could turn out to be MS issue, not a Netgear one. MS could have tweaked 7 after giving the developer's versions out - hooks may have changed a bit. Not unheard of...
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What I would like to get if they make them is a USB cord with an in line on-off switch in it. that way I wouldn't have to keep unplugging and repluging it in. I could just turn the switch off before shut down, and leave it shut off until everything is booted up, then turn it on. I just don't know if they make them? Bill T.
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also found this
http://www.wnda310064bit.webs.com/
http://forum1.netgear.com/showthread.php?t=40518
from what I read looks like they Netgear also won't be updating that adapter for the 64bit version as I had read that on a couple of sites now
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Thanks Phil,
I joined the top forum you have listed, and posted my problem. There was another guy who beat me to it, so I just posted in his thread. At least I'm not alone. The bottom forum I gave up on. You think they were giving out the combination to Fort Knox to let you on the damn thing. I just gave up. My guess is this thing was put on the market not properly configured for Windows 7 if people are all having the same exact issues after installing the provided drivers. Bill T.
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(http://img1.jurko.net/avatar_1218.gif)
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(http://img1.jurko.net/avatar_1218.gif)
hehe I did not realise you know what I look like at work lol
Internet Help Desk - Helping dumb people
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbswllJj2io
or for the older people out there
Medieval helpdesk with English subtitles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ
and yes it can get that bad
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Had a Helpdesk phone call while I was working in IT...
Caller: I typed a document yesterday and now I can't find it.
Me: Was it a letter or a spreadsheet?
Caller: It was just a letter.
Me: Ok, we will look for a Word Doc in your My Documents. Do you remember what name you gave it when you saved it?
Caller: Saved it? Ohhhhh...I did it on the typewritter...
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Had a Helpdesk phone call while I was working in IT...
Caller: I typed a document yesterday and now I can't find it.
Me: Was it a letter or a spreadsheet?
Caller: It was just a letter.
Me: Ok, we will look for a Word Doc in your My Documents. Do you remember what name you gave it when you saved it?
Caller: Saved it? Ohhhhh...I did it on the typewritter...
ahh i have had countless ones.
there have been also quite a few times where I have almost said well do you have the box for the computer. on then put it back in the box and take it back to were you brought it and tell them that you need to return it as you are tooo stupid to own a computer.
normally when they say what was wrong with it I go with a "Driver error" or an ID ten T error ;) and a couple of times back years ago I also on the noted would have I found some PEBKAC errors (Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair)
hehe did that one till a manager noticed it and had a few words ;D
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or an ID ten T error ;) and a couple of times back years ago I also on the noted would have I found some PEBKAC errors (Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair)
Loved the ID ten T error...used it often. Had not heard of PEBKAC.
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There is also PICNIC
Problem In Chair Not In Computer
:)
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I brought this one back rather than start a new thread. I got the computer / router / adapter issue fixed, and everything runs OK now. What I wanted to know is if any of you guys have 2 printers set up on 1 computer???
I have an extra printer, (it is an HP just like everything else on my system), that I would like to hook up. All I need to do it is a longer USB cable which I can get anywhere. If I plug this thing in will it work???, or will I have to run the driver disk to install the operating software for it?
Question 2 is if I do that, will I screw up the current HP printer I'm using because of conflicting software??? That is what was causing my router / adapter issues. The Netgear software was "fighting" with the Microsoft software. Netgear said "turn on", then the Microsoft software said "turn off". I got rid of the Microsoft "built in" software in the system, and now it works fine.
If this is a simple "plug and play" install, I'll try it. But if you guys think I'm going to wind up with a big headache, I won't bother. Bill T.
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I run multiple printers and have no issues at all. Each printer has its own driver and all I do is select which printer I want to use when the print dialog box comes up.
If its on a USB port it will identify it and look for a driver or you can go to "printers and faxes" and click on "add printer".
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I'm going to give it a shot. I don't think I can screw things up too bad. If they have language built into the operating system that says things like, "Add A Printer", they have already anticipated that guys like me who know just enough to be dangerous, are going to try these kind of things. ;D Bill T.
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It's fine to have two identical printers on a PC as long as they have different names in the printer list. It will prompt you to set a default printer. After that, any time you just hit the printer icon, it will print to the default printer. To print to the other printer, go to "file", "print" and choose another printer from the list.
It should all be available in the help files for the operating system.
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I just finished the install successfully! I went to Radio Shack and bought a 10' USB Printer Cable, and had to go to HP's website to download a current driver that was compatible with Windows 7, 64 Bit. It downloaded fine, and installed fine. I checked function of both printers, and both are up and running. Everything went fairly easily, thank God. ;D Bill T.
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I just finished the install successfully! I went to Radio Shack and bought a 10' USB Printer Cable, and had to go to HP's website to download a current driver that was compatible with Windows 7, 64 Bit. It downloaded fine, and installed fine. I checked function of both printers, and both are up and running. Everything went fairly easily, thank God. ;D Bill T.
Now you need a real challenge. Make one of the printers wi-fi, not cabled. ;D ;D ;D
You need a little card plugged into the remote printer, and then go ahead and set it up.
Let us know how it went . . . . ;)
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Now you need a real challenge. Make one of the printers wi-fi, not cabled. ;D ;D ;D
You need a little card plugged into the remote printer, and then go ahead and set it up.
Let us know how it went . . . . ;)
Actually the first printer is a wireless model, I just didn't see the need or advantage to setting it up that way. So I used the USB cable that came with it. Melanie has the same exact printer on her desktop. We probably could have just bought the one and shared it, but the things are so cheap we just went ahead and bought 2. A pair of color and black & white ink cartridges cost almost as much as the printer! The one I just hooked up can FAX as well, which is nice to have. It was useless to just have it sitting. Especially because I've got 2 extra ink cartridges for it. Bill T.
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Printers can be very cheap to buy sometimes. They make the money on supplies, ink, toner, etc. I have actually bought good printers cheaper on clearance or with rebates than I could buy replacement ink cartridges for. I have had good luck using this companies aftermarket ink cartridges:
http://www.123inkjets.com/?KID=g_ui99AEEp