Wireless Adapter (USB), they just don't last - FIXED

[Timelord]

I have gone through two USB wireless adapters on my desktop in the last 4 months. Both were quality brand name (1 D-Link and 1 Belkin). They just stop getting the signal and then I may get a message about drivers being bad. I tried reinstalling the software and changing the USB port that they are plugged into and they work for a short while after (10-15 minutes) and then die. Has anyone had this type of problem?

I am using Windows 7. I am reluctant to get a PCI adapter in case that will just go bad as well.

[JoeP]

Have you moved the router?

Is there a new or moved wireless device such as a wireless phone that could be interfering?

Have you tried a different channel on the router?

Joe

[Timelord]

Joe,
The router is where it always was. My laptop has a built in adapter and has no problems.
I have not gotten any new wireless devices since I started this.
I have not tried a different channel. Thanks for the suggestion, I will try that when I get home tonight.

[StuartR]

...
I have not tried a different channel. Thanks for the suggestion, I will try that when I get home tonight.

To see which channels are busy and which are free you can download and run inSSIDer. This will only run on a PC with a functional wireless card.

[John Gray]

Try a different brand (quality or not!). I've had a lot of trouble with Belkin Wireless-G adapters, and have been warned off D-Link... On the other hand, Edimax and ZyXEL have always worked for me, and I like TP-Link stuff.

+1 for inSSIDer!

[Timelord]

I got home last night and moved the cable modem and the router to the middle of the room they are in. Then turned on my pc and all night it worked. Seems a little odd though that it worked for a couploe months and then stopped, just like the last one. Next time there is an issue I will check the other brands you mentioned John, Thanks

[StuartR]

It is still a good idea to run inSSIDer and check for the quietest channel to use.

[Timelord]

I will check that out tonight. It is a bit of a pain to get wired, but probably worth it.

[PJ_in_FL]

The interference may be from outside your home. There are lots of devices using the open ISM bands that most home wireless devices use, so the source could be from a multitude of sources actively using that band or from a device that spills enough noise energy outside it's use band to interfere with devices in other bands.

A. A neighbor may have installed a router using the same channel.
B. A radio station may have changed the broadcast antenna phasing pattern putting more energy in your direction.
C. New weather radar ...

Any or all the above could affect the bit error rate of your wireless device. Moving to different areas like you did is one way to improve the throughput, and maybe locate the offending source.

[John Gray]

If you really want to investigate the local Wi-Fi spectrum thoroughly in the comfort of your own home, take out a loan and look at Wi-Spy (from MetaGeek, the makers of InSSIDer).

[Timelord]

Really fixed now. My USB started giving me trouble again. I went online and looked around, a lot, and after putting in the exact right text for google I read through a very long Belkin board and someone mentioned that these things are not cooled properly so they overheat. I thought 'ok' and found it real easy to take the cover off. So now my USB Wireless Adapter shows its' innards, but works like a champ. Still thinking about getting a USB mini fan to point at it, but all nice now.

[HansV]

You could get a nice Hello Kitty mini fan...

Hello_Kitty_fan.jpg

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You could get a nice Hello Kitty mini fan...

Are you feeling OK Hans? Ore ar you overheating too?

Ken

[HansV]

The Siebold Huis museum in Leiden has a Hello Kitty exhibition at the moment: Hello Kitty - Hello Holland

How about a Hello Kitty chainsaw for Jezza?

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