Right folks - here's my predicament.

I recently went to wireless networking, using a Netgear Modem/Router and Netgear USB adaptor.

I have 1 pc plugged to the router using a cable, and the upstairs pc using the USB adaptor.

All is installed and works (which is where the problem lies).....

Downstairs, the cable connection always works.

Upstairs, however different altogether. The usb adaptor works, and connects no problem. The internet works fine - for varying periods of time.

Sometimes it's a few minutes, other times it's hours and hours.

It appears to hold it's signal fine, and the netgear software in the taskbar says it's still connected. BUT, the internet doesn't work at all.

So - i unplug, and replug the adaptor and all is well again for a random period of time.

I've ensured all WEP settings etc are identical - and the fact it works and connects suggests all is fine. I've disabled power saving on the damn thing.

Running out of ideas here - apart from using a PCI card - which i don't particularly want to buy if i don't need to.

Any suggestions i can try? Or am i better off just biting the bullet and moving to a PCI card adaptor?

I just don't want to have a PCI adaptor in and find the same thing - having to pull a card out every time.

:(

Any help/sugestions appreciated

It does sound like it might be the USB adapter that's the problem...but that's just because "replugging" it resolves the issue.

I would recommend trying the USB adapter plugged into the PC downstairs. If it works fine, you know it's either something USB-related on the upstairs machine, or an issue with the signal dropping over the distance.

You can then rule out USB-related by moving the downstairs computer upstairs and then trying again.

Rob.

I'll try that.

As far as i have seen - it never actually loses the signal upstairs mind.... Always 70% or higher.

When the net doesn't work, it still says the things connected.....

I'll see if i get time tonight and report back - cheers

Why using USB? Can you not use the ethernet on it?

Cos it's upstairs? Router downstairs.

Didn't want to pull wires upstairs hence wireless

The usb cos it came as a package

First venture into wireless n that.

Cos it's upstairs? Router downstairs.

Didn't want to pull wires upstairs hence wireless

The usb cos it came as a package

First venture into wireless n that.

Ok. Often find the USB is crap. Even on the NTL cable modems NTL recommend using ethernet. Have my wireless router doing the same thing.

So you reckon a PCI wireless card would solve this then?

is the router a 834gt? Check out the forum on netgear.com, lots of people have trouble with these routers. A firmware update seems to sort it out for most people. My 834gt seemed to have a problem slightly different to other peoples, it would sometimes take a very long time to load a webpage (though the internet connection was not dropped) or just to wirelessly contact the router. I went with a suggestion to drop it down to 54mps using the b&g option, still way fast enough to share broadband with 2 computers but much more stable. I also changed the router from horizontal to vertical, not sure whether this helped but it does run a lot cooler now.

Can't remember the model number offhand - i'll have a gander when i get in...

i'd say its the USB aswell, try and use proper parts where possible, can't help but view USB as temporary myself

Trouble with USB is that if anything else is connected to the othe USB ports it can intermittently drop your network connection for short periods. A PCI wireless card is the way to go. Get one with a remote aerial so you get better flexibility in its positioning in case that's causing a problem too.

In the past i've had nothing but trouble with Netgear wireless reception but you don't want to hear that.