The Official Computer Tech Support Thread

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by DwnWthVwls

HAve you done any Windows updates recently?

probably, you can't tell these days.

Anybody remember the glory days of XP when you wouldn't update because it inevitably would make your computer ****tier.

Not much has changed except your forced to update now.

I read I could change the wireless channel on my network card but am unsure how to.

Ethernet is an option but I paid for a network card and want my ****ing network card to work.

Anybody know any terminal commands I can punch in or something? The user setttings on windows 8 must be aesthetic because they don't actually do anything.

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by Sparky

probably, you can't tell these days.

Anybody remember the glory days of XP when you wouldn't update because it inevitably would make your computer ****tier.

Not much has changed except your forced to update now.

I read I could change the wireless channel on my network card but am unsure how to.

Ethernet is an option but I paid for a network card and want my ****ing network card to work.

Anybody know any terminal commands I can punch in or something? The user setttings on windows 8 must be aesthetic because they don't actually do anything.

Your wireless network card doesn't control the channel. That would be your wireless router, which is usually set to "auto". Basically, you have a handful of channels that the radio signal broadcasts out on that are spaced apart in the frequency spectrum enough to mitigate certain types of interference. Setting a wireless router or access point to a specific channel is usually done when there are many access points in a close range, so they're set in such a way as they don't overlap at distances where the gain is high enough to cause interference.

I assume you're saying "network card" but meaning "wireless router"? If so, that's fine. WiFi is good because it allows you to be mobile. It makes sense using it on a Laptop or some other portable device. But if it's a desktop or computer that doesn't move, you're better off using the Ethernet adapter because you get higher speeds and no interference. But if you'd like to stay with being wireless, I would first troubleshoot in such a way as to pinpoint *where* the issue likely is.

To do that, you should first rule out the wireless router having interference issues. If other wireless devices on the network are having no issues at the same time your computer IS, then it's probably not the router. Second, I would do that test where all the devices are in the same physical location and not moving. If it's only your computer dropping, it's definitely not interference nor is it a problem with the router.

If you can get yourself to that point, you have then narrowed down where you should start focusing. Your computer. At that point, it's usually best to work from layer 7 up, (physical layer all the way up to application layer), but I doubt you have a spare external wifi card lying around that you can just up and install. Which is sad, because with the exception of drivers, it's usually physical with these sorts of issues.

Because of that, you probably shouldn't rule out a hardware problem. If you've got all the latest drivers for it, the correct ones, and went through any settings you might know about, checked for malware and all that, then it's going to be a wild goose chase. Because there's still the big hardware problem unknown. Until something ends up working.

However, there's one thing you should check first. Event Viewer. I don't know how to get to it on 8 because I've never used it, but if you Google the location of Event Viewer, you should be able to locate it. Once you do, there should be a section called "custom views", under which there should be "administrative events". Click on that and let the window refresh. This is going to be an aggregate of all errors. Click through them at times correlating with your issue until you see something relevant and Google it.

Good luck.

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

Your wireless network card doesn't control the channel. That would be your wireless router, which is usually set to "auto". Basically, you have a handful of channels that the radio signal broadcasts out on that are spaced apart in the frequency spectrum enough to mitigate certain types of interference. Setting a wireless router or access point to a specific channel is usually done when there are many access points in a close range, so they're set in such a way as they don't overlap at distances where the gain is high enough to cause interference.

Here is what I was going off of:

After several attempts I notice that changing the wireless mode to “2. 802.11b” resolve the internet issue. To try this, follow these steps: Device Manager -> (Your driver here – in my case Intel(R) Centrino Advanced-N 6250 AGN) -> Properties -> Advanced -> Wireless Mode -> Select “2. 802.11b”

However my ratlink card doesn't have wireless mode under advanced.

To do that, you should first rule out the wireless router having interference issues. If other wireless devices on the network are having no issues at the same time your computer IS, then it's probably not the router. Second, I would do that test where all the devices are in the same physical location and not moving. If it's only your computer dropping, it's definitely not interference nor is it a problem with the router.

It is only my laptop. However the issues only occurs at home.
For example, at school I have no issues.

I'll do the rest of your advice for sure. Thanks--it is curious how it is only this connection at home whereas everything else connects fine. My ps4, wii, my roomates computers, etc all connect fine.

Would it help if I told you the router/provider?

It's comcast i can let you know the router if that would help

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by Sparky

Here is what I was going off of:


However my ratlink card doesn't have wireless mode under advanced.





It is only my laptop. However the issues only occurs at home.
For example, at school I have no issues.

I'll do the rest of your advice for sure. Thanks--it is curious how it is only this connection at home whereas everything else connects fine. My ps4, wii, my roomates computers, etc all connect fine.

Would it help if I told you the router/provider?

It's comcast i can let you know the router if that would help

Well, the physical wireless network adapter on your PC is generally going to be able to operate on multiple modes. b/g/n is typical these days. It will automatically do whichever the wireless access point or router is broadcasting on, which is probably also b/g/n. There should be no need to change it unless there's a driver issue at play. The fact that you can't get to such a setting on your PC is kinda weird. Do you have some sort of external wireless adapter for your PC? I've never heard of Ratlink. Are you referring to Ralink?

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

Well, the physical wireless network adapter on your PC is generally going to be able to operate on multiple modes. b/g/n is typical these days. It will automatically do whichever the wireless access point or router is broadcasting on, which is probably also b/g/n. There should be no need to change it unless there's a driver issue at play. The fact that you can't get to such a setting on your PC is kinda weird. Do you have some sort of external wireless adapter for your PC? I've never heard of Ratlink. Are you referring to Ralink?

Yeah it's ralink.

It's not external.

It just drops randomly with no pattern.

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by Sparky

Yeah it's ralink.

It's not external.

It just drops randomly with no pattern.

How old is the computer? Did the problem occur out of nowhere? What do you mean specifically by "drop"? Have you checked the event log?