Basic Troubleshooting Wireless Access Cards

Wireless access cards, also known as wireless adapters, replace standard Ethernet cables to create a wireless link between your PC and a wireless AP (access point) or router. Although wireless networking equipment offers convenience to users who want to place computers in multiple rooms without running Ethernet cables around the house, the equipment isn’t foolproof: You’re bound to run into network problems at some point. We’ll help you troubleshoot an unruly wireless adapter. Make & Model Whether you plan to call tech support or simply want to search for drivers on the manufacturer’s Web site, you’ll need to know your device’s model number. In most cases, finding the model number is a snap: If you don’t see the model number on the device itself, you can find it via your computer’s Device Manager. Click Start, Control Panel, and then open System. Click Device Manager and then click the plus (+) sign next to Net-work Adapters. Your adapter’s name will appear and will most likely include a model number. The adapter’s software will also generally display its model number. Update Your Drivers Software publishers and hardware manufacturers tweak their products for months (and sometimes years) after they release them.

Software publishers update their programs via patches, while hardware manufacturers tweak their hardware with firmware updates and new driver releases. Updated drivers sometimes add functionality, but they also often include important bug fixes. If you’re experiencing any problems with your wireless adapter, we recommend that you download and install the latest driver for your adapter. To determine your driver’s version number, click Start, Control Panel, and then open System. Click Device Manager and then click the plus sign next to Network Adapters. Right-click your wireless adapter and then click Properties. Finally, click the Driver tab, which will display your driver version and driver release date. Next, visit the Support section of the manufacturer’s Web site and see if a newer driver is available. If it is, download the driver to your hard drive. To uninstall your existing driver, open the adapter’s Properties window, click the Driver tab, and then Update Driver. When the Hardware Update Wizard appears, click the No, Not This Time radio button and then click Next. Click the Install From A List Or Specific Location (Advanced), click Next, and then check the Include This Location In The Search box. Click the Browse button, navigate to the downloaded driver on your hard drive, and then complete the wizard. If your adapter connects to one of the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) slots in your computer, keep in mind that you may need to remove the adapter before you start the driver installation. (Your adapter’s manual will let you know if you need to disconnect it.) Keep a screwdriver handy.

Problem: My PC’s wireless adapter won’t connect to my wireless AP or router.

Solution 1: Make sure your AP or router supports the same wireless networking standard that your adapter uses. For example, you can use 802.11b and g devices without any compatibility problems, but you can’t use an 802.11a adapter to connect to an 802.11g network. This may seem like a “no kidding” sort of solution, but if you’ve ever fretted over a seemingly dead PC, only to discover that the power cord was unplugged, you’ll agree that sometimes the obvious answer is the one we overlook.

Solution 2: Renew the router’s DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) settings. Your router most likely uses the DHCP networking protocol to automatically assign IP (Internet Protocol) addresses to all of the PCs on your network. You can often fix a dropped connection by entering your router’s firmware menu and using the firmware’s DHCP Release/Renew feature (see “Basic Troubleshooting: Routers & Hubs” to learn more about forcing a DHCP release).

Solution 3: Switch your wireless connection software. Chances are, you’re using the adapter manufacturer’s software. Windows XP includes the Wireless Zero Configuration Utility, but your adapter’s software overrides it by default. You can switch to the Zero Configuration Utility only if your adapter’s software permits it. Find the adapter’s icon (which appears in the System Tray) and then right-click it. You may see Use Windows XP Wireless Configuration (or a similar link). Click the link, open the Control Panel and then open Network Connections. Next, double-click the Wireless Network Connection icon to view available networks.

Problem: My wireless connection is weak or drops frequently.

Solution 1: Determine whether physical obstacles are weakening the signal. Not surprisingly, wireless networks offer the strongest signals in open spaces, but unless your home resembles a hanger, your wireless network must negotiate walls and floors, both of which can reduce the strength and range of the signal. Today’s home networking equipment can reach as far as 300 feet in the very best circumstances, but your home’s metal and concrete will savage your router’s signal strength. If the computers closest to your wireless AP or router aren’t dropping the wireless connection and the computer that is dropping the connection is at the far end of the house, you can probably blame your network troubles on distance and physical barriers. There are two popular types of signal-strengthening devices on the market for home users: rangeboosting antennae and repeaters. Several manufacturers offer APs and wireless routers that have removable antenna. If you can detach your router’s antenna, you can replace it with an antenna that offers more dBi (decibels relative to isotropic). Chances are, your router’s manufacturer also offers an optional range-boosting antenna. Repeaters, which are devices that resemble APs, also boost your router’s signal strength and are great for throwing the signal around corners. Unlike antennae, which attach directly to the router, a repeater can sit far from a router, pick up the router’s signal, and “repeat” it. If your PC sits behind a particularly thick wall or other physical barrier, consider placing a repeater between the router and the PC that drops connections.

Solution 2: Move your wireless adapter or your computer. If your computer sits under your desk or in a cupboard, consider buying a wireless USB adapter that includes a lengthy cable. You can run the USB adapter’s antenna up to the top of your desk, where it may get better reception.

Solution 3: Change your wireless channel. If you live in an area that has many wireless networks, you may see a performance boost when you change your router’s wireless channel. Other APs and wireless routers that use the same channel your router uses may reduce the strength of your signal. Your router supports up to 11 channels, which means you have plenty of wiggle room. To change your router’s channel, you’ll need to enter its firmware menu via an Internet browser (see “Basic Troubleshooting: Routers & Hubs” to learn more about accessing the menu). Once you enter the menu, browse for the router’s wireless settings, which will include a field that lets you choose a channel. Most standard networking devices choose a channel by default and then let users change the channel, but enhanced devices that offer extra range and speed functionality may insist on a specific channel until you disable the performance-boosting feature.

Problem: I can’t find my wireless access point or router.

Solution: When you first try to connect to your network, your wireless adapter’s software will scan the area for available networks and then display a list of networks. If you don’t see your own list in this network, you may have disabled the router’s SSID (Service Set Identifier) feature, which broadcasts the SSID to local wireless adapters. Disabling the SSID broadcast is a common security method, as it effectively stealths your network, making it that much harder for would-be hackers to spot. The good news is that your adapter doesn’t need to see the SSID to connect to your router. Your adapter’s software includes a manual connection feature that lets you enter your network’s information, including the SSID (which means that you’ll need to know your router’s SSID refer to the router’s firmware to find it). Once you enter the appropriate SSID and encryption information, you’ll be able to connect to your router without any trouble.