keep losing connection

[sahm2]

I recently (a week ago) set up a wireless network for my two computers in my home. I use cable internet. I have a new linksys wireless g router and a linksys usb wireless "thingy" on the other computer. sorry, can't think of what it's called. The connection comes and goes. I can't figure out the problem. Sometimes it will have an internet connection but I can't access the other computer with the usb "thingy". I am very unsure of what I'm doing in regard to networking. (like you couldn't tell, huh?) I am running xp on the computer that is hooked up to the router and ME on the other one. I did a hijack this log and they said it was clear. I also ran Ad-Aware to get rid of junk although there were a few things it couldn't get rid of.
Any suggestions?

[MishY]

Are you using WEP encryption ? And what sort of distance are you from the router when the connection drops ?

btw the usb thingy is called a dongle adaptor :)

[sahm2]

Yes, I'm using WEP. It is upstairs right above the main computer. They're both desktops.
AAAhhhh, dongle adaptor. Gotcha! LOL ;)

[MishY]

When the connection comes and goes, are you just web surfing ? or are you trying to access files on the XP computer ? And is the actual wireless connection dropping out ? or is the connection maintained (according to that icon next to your clock) but you just can't access the internet/files ? btw what sort of connection strength does it say you have upstairs ?

btw when you are done here, it would be worth your while heading over to our Cyber Safety forum (http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=25) to have a look into those items Ad-Aware couldn't remove. :)

[z1p]

sahm2,

Some other things to look at is what other USB devices you have installed on the machine and what other wireless devices you or your neighbors are using. Another wireless LAN could cause problems also wireless phones can cause problems.

If interference is a possible problem, you can try switching the channel you are using.

[sahm2]

MishY,
The connection seems to just come and go with either trying to use the web or sharing files. Sometimes the internet will work but the file sharing won't (kids on the upstairs computer with the usb adaptor and me on the downstairs computer trying to get files from the other one). Sometimes it all works. The icon shows there isn't a connection when the problem occurs. The strength, I think, was in the 70s.
As for the Ad-aware stuff, it was ok the last time I ran it.

z1p,
There's nothing else connected to the computer with the usb adaptor. As far as I know there is no one close to me that has wirelss anything except cell phones. How do I change the channel?
Thanks.

[Sleepy.zZz]

I recently fixed a very similar problem on a notebook. The onboard connecter on the laptop itself was faulty (about a year and a half of daily use, unplug at work, plug in at home, repeat tomorrow) and was somehow kicking it's own and occasional other connections off the router. Switching to a wireless card in the expansion slot fixed it fine. Are both computers on your wireless network new(ish?) and using wireless adapaters, or is one wireless and one wired via usb?

Another possibility is power to your router. Is it plugged into an outlet by itself? Or is the outlet it's plugged into sharing power with one or more other power supplies? Random or inconsistent lack of connectivity could have to do with the router actually browning out.

[z1p]

You have to change it on the router and after you do that you'll have to reconnect to it from the PCs. If you have the router broadcasting its SSID you should be able to reacquire the router pretty easily.