wireless driver updates and extended channels

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gte204i · #1 Post by **gte204i** » Tue Aug 24, 2004 10:56 pm

So I know this ... ahem ... guy who uses the extended channels on his wireless network. He updated his wireless drivers to the newest versions - All of the sudden his wireless network stops working. He struggles to get it to work for a couple of hours before he realizes that now he has a new driver and he needs to re-enable the extended channel mode.

... just a heads up in case this happens to you - you will pull your hair out trying to figure out what's wrong like my ... ahem ... friend

byron · #2 Post by **byron** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 11:43 am

lol.

is <cough> you're friend's area really that congested that <cough> he has to use extended channels?

can't really comment on your <cough> friend's problem though b/c i've never had the need to use them.

atlacatl · #3 Post by **atlacatl** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 11:45 am

gte204i wrote:So I know this ... ahem ... guy who uses the extended channels on his wireless network. He updated his wireless drivers to the newest versions - All of the sudden his wireless network stops working. He struggles to get it to work for a couple of hours before he realizes that now he has a new driver and he needs to re-enable the extended channel mode.

... just a heads up in case this happens to you - you will pull your hair out trying to figure out what's wrong like my ... ahem ... friend

Hey, I also have a friend that spent 3 hours yesterday figuring out what was wrong with his wireless card - And had to go back to old drivers cause the new ones didn't want to work at all...I...I mean he, may try again tonight...

Thanks for the info...

byron · #4 Post by **byron** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 11:50 am

wow... you guys have some pretty rebellious friends. lol.

andrzejpw · #5 Post by **andrzejpw** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 12:12 pm

I have a friend who updated to the newest access connections/drivers, then had his wireless connection behave like crap. He said that both access connections and windows took forever to make the card connect. He tried going back to the old drivers, but that didn't help, so he's in the process of reinstalling windows.

Leon · #6 Post by **Leon** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 12:18 pm

Everyone whose wireless card is taking "forever" to connect: MAKE SURE that the Zero Wireless Configuration service is enabled!!!

mrbjr · #7 Post by **mrbjr** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 12:27 pm

Listen to Leon!

andrzejpw · #8 Post by **andrzejpw** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 1:05 pm

No Leon, that isn't it, as WZC is enabled. The problem occurs at every moment. Connecting doesn't work all the time (doesn't get an IP).

Leon · #9 Post by **Leon** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 1:12 pm

ok.... just wanted to make sure, because you WILL have the problem in most cases if t is not...

andrzejpw · #10 Post by **andrzejpw** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 1:45 pm

lol, I know leon, I was the guy that fixed your problem, remember?

#11 Post by **BillMorrow** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 2:10 pm

byron wrote:lol.

is <cough> you're friend's area really that congested that <cough> he has to use extended channels?

can't really comment on your <cough> friend's problem though b/c i've never had the need to use them.

HUH..?!
extended channels..??
OH, THOSE <cough>..

Leon · #12 Post by **Leon** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 2:30 pm

I do remember..

. that's why I didn't direct my original post to you but to"everyone".... many continue to have this problem, so I spread this particular solution as much as I can!

btw, on another topic.... I assume the "expanded channels" are something that you do with a hack to the firmware of a Linksysys router?

byron · #13 Post by **byron** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 2:44 pm

no.. reset it to factory defaults.. then when it asks what country you are in... use a european country. but first you need to catch a flight to london so you won't be breaking any laws.

Leon · #14 Post by **Leon** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 2:55 pm

do you mean to your router, to your wireless card, or both?? don't they both have to have the "extended" channels?

byron · #15 Post by **byron** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 4:04 pm

im not sure b/c i have no reason to use them.... but i would assume that most drivers pick up whatever channel is broadcasting. the new drivers that people are having problems with might be the exception to that rule.

gte204i · #16 Post by **gte204i** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 4:07 pm

byron wrote:lol.

is <cough> you're friend's area really that congested that <cough> he has to use extended channels?

can't really comment on your <cough> friend's problem though b/c i've never had the need to use them.

From what my friend tells me, the extended channels

1) avoid interference with 2.4 gHz phones
and
2) are a HUGE security boost - since almost nobody out there is "snooping" on these channels

Leon · #17 Post by **Leon** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 6:06 pm

for scientific study reasons only:

Can any the friends out there point me in the right direction on how to experiment with this, and do I need to modify both pc card and router?

atlacatl · #18 Post by **atlacatl** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 9:03 pm

Leon wrote:for scientific study reasons only:

Can any the friends out there point me in the right direction on how to experiment with this, and do I need to modify both pc card and router?

Only if it's for your friend

gte204i · #19 Post by **gte204i** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 9:30 pm

OK I asked my friend again and he said:

First of all, he says to remind everyone that this information only applies if you are not in N. America

Your router needs to be configured to broadcast on an extended channel (12, 13, 14). You can do this with the technique mentioned earlier in the thread or by flashing your router with some alternative firmware that allows this mode of operation.

Your a/b/g card must be able to "browse" the extended channels. Supposedly, you can do this by going to the a/b/g driver in the device manager and looking on the "advanced" tab.

Besides those two changes, he says that everything else works the same.

awolfe63 · #20 Post by **awolfe63** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 9:33 pm

Leon wrote:Everyone whose wireless card is taking "forever" to connect: MAKE SURE that the Zero Wireless Configuration service is enabled!!!

How?

gte204i · #21 Post by **gte204i** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 9:40 pm

Administrative tools -> services

see if Wireless Zero... has "started" next to it

if not and it is set to manual or disabled, set it to automatic - if it is set to automatic but still not started, I don't know what to tell you

Leon · #22 Post by **Leon** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 10:45 pm

your friend is right!

I can't actually do it, cause a friend downstairs who uses my connection has an IMAC, and I doubt it can see extended channels (if anyone knows for sure otherwise, let me know).... but I verified that the change can be made to the IBM a/b/g.... as far as routers go, I got a DLINK...if I want to do it, I have to go to one of their European Sites and download the firmware....I suspect that it's similar for other manufacturers...

disclaimer----I'm in Zimbabwe

RaysMD · #23 Post by **RaysMD** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 10:58 pm

I've had extended channels working ever since I got my Thinkpad with the IBM a/b/g card. That was the only reason to get it over the Intel BG card. I'm also in the USA.

1. Your router must be able to transmit in the extended channels range. You must change the firmware to do this. The best router in my opinion is the Linksys WRT54GS

2. Enable extended channels mode by adjusting it in the advanced tab of the network cards in "device manager"

No, interference on channel 14 for me. I can talk on the cordless phone at the same time.

wireless driver updates and extended channels

wireless driver updates and extended channels

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