NetGear wireless network Q
 

Is anyone familiar with NetGear wireless network products? My router is working properly, but the wireless adapter & software on a household computer have suddenly failed (it was working properly for several weeks). It appears to be software problem. I've emailed support, but I'm not optimistic that they'll solve this one.

This other computer lost its connection to the router earlier today. So, I tried to start the NetGear software to reconnect. Strangely, the software starts running, but then quits on its own about two seconds later. I can see the GUI of the software for just an instant.

I tried uninstalling and reinstalling twice -- same problem. I did a virus search, and nothing showed up. I have the Windows firewall operating in both computers. Other software on the computer runs properly.

Anyone have ideas on why this software is self-quitting right at the start?

How about a firmware upgrade?
(I'm local, BTW, and if you need help...)

I wouldn't rule out such an upgrade, but I just bought this router & apapter, so I'd like to use it if I can get it working again.

I can't for the life of me figure out why this software would start malfunctioning in this way, even after uninstall/reinstall. Maybe there is some file or process residing on this computer that is causing problems, and is not eliminated in the uninstall.

Make sure that the windows wireless connection utility is not running. I beleive it's one or the other. I am not in front of XP right now, but I beleive it can be found in control panel.

Thanks! When you have a moment, could you be more specific? How do I check to see if that utility is running?

I am very grateful for your help.

Sure no problem ...

But 1st, see if there are other computers connected to the router that can access the internet. If none can, then its probably your modem.

If you dont have other computers, try connecting the computer in question directly to the router (wired connection). If this works, its probably some wireless config.

The Windows wireless utility can be found as follows ...
Control Panel > Network Connections > Wireless Network Connection > Properties > Wireless Networks tab

Here make sure "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings" is unselected.

Please report back what you find.

Well, when I get to "Network Connections" I don't see a "Windows Network Connection" option. Instead, I see the following:

--Internet Options
--Network Setup Wizard
--Wireless Network Setup Wizard
--Network Connections
--Windows Firewall

This is such a mystery.

Postscript: I gave up on the the Netgear wireless adapter. I spent about 12 hours working through the documentation and tech support.

About a hour ago, I went to Office Depot and plopped down $130 for a new Linksys adapter. Time from opening the package to proper operation: 10 minutes.

Bottom line: there is some sort of software problem with the Netgear adapter (yes, I used their most recent update). Combine this problem with how my first Netgear router had a hardware defect (that was a separate six hours, after which tech support concluded there was such a defect).

I can't state this more strongly: Avoid Netgear products!

Thanks for your opinion. I dont work for Netgear and I will say that Windows is complicated. Getting a hardware product to work on you pc requires a perfect orchestration of the Windows OS and the hardware driver. So it could have been anything. I have been using Netgear for ages with no problems to report!

Fair enough. It could be some bad luck, but I find it very alarming to see defects in two separate products.

Your "perfect orchestration" observation is astute. I'd bet that's the problem. But it's probably something the Netgear software triggered. I'm not having any problem with the Linksys adapter.