Netgear MR814 Version 2 Router Problems

[Kes]

I recently purchased a Netgear MR814 Version 2 router to run my laptop wirelessly. I'm using XP on both my laptop and desktop computer.

When I try to get the laptop to connect, I run into one of two
problems:

1. The signal shows up on the laptop, but when I hit connect, it just goes into a loop and shows the "one or more connections is available message" again

2. I get a strong signal, and it looks like I'm connected, but when I
open explorer, it doesn't connect to the internet and just goes to a dead page.

I tried to research this on my own, and saw some ideas, but so far nothing has worked for me. I'm normally pretty good on a computer, but this networking thing is all new to me.

I contacted technical support at Netgear, and they told me to disable the Zero Wireless Connection and use Netgear's connection tools. I was able to disable the Zero Wireless Connection Utility, but wasn't sure what to do after that. There wasn't anything that came with the router to actually "install" on the computer - just the connection setup wizard and the utility you access from the internet. When I asked them about this, they told me to call. I did call, and the person on the phone said I had to speak to the maker of the wireless card in my laptop. It is an Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI Adapter. I doubt that is the problem, though, as I first bought a
linksys router. I did manage to get the laptop to connect wirelessly with that, but had other problems with it. I decided to use theNetgear router instead, as it has better reviews and built in SPI security.

If anyone can help, I would be very grateful. I've had my new laptop a while now but have hardly been able to use it.

[x586]

There a a number of possible problems here you need to eliminate them one by 1.
Are you using broadband through the router ?
Does the desktop get internet?
Does the laptop get internet ?
Are you using WEP ?
Are the desktop and laptop in the same workgroup ?
Is file and print sharing enabled on both the laptop and desktop ?

x586

[jcs23]

I have the exact same setup as you: Netgear MR814v2, and laptop (Centrino) with Intel PRO/Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI Adapter.

I have strong signal ("excellent" according to XP, full 5 out of 5 bars in the "Wireless Network Connection Status"), but the when I look at the Support tab under this window, it shows that the IP address keeps flipping between "Assigned by DHCP" and "Invalid IP Address". So I get a good connection for a short amount of time and then lose it, then reconnects automatically.

I was first seeing it disconnect on a precise cycle of 63 seconds. So I called Netgear, hoping that they had some ideas. They had me check the firmware, concluded I have the most up-to-date, and said to go back to the store and swap the Netgear MR814v2 to a new one, then try again. They also mentioned trying Channels 1 or 6 instead of 11, but none of that helped.

So I got a brand new (second) MR814v2, installed that one, and now it's cycling between the two states in only 2 or 3 seconds. So, if anything, the new router was worse (although I'm sure they have the same root-cause, whatever it is). The signal strength is still 5 out of 5 bars, so no problem there.

FYI, the normal LAN connections to the router work fine, in fact that's what I'm sending this posting over right now. So I know the router connection (to comcast cable modem) is working fine.

In answer to member x586's response:
- Are you using broadband through the router ? yes, comcast cable modem
Does the desktop get internet? yes
Does the laptop get internet ? yes with LAN; with first router cycling on 63 seconds, I did get thru to internet, with 3 second cycle, doesn't even get proxy settings in time.
Are you using WEP ? no, turned it off to eliminate possible explanations, but had originally tried WEP 128-bit.
Are the desktop and laptop in the same workgroup ? not sure what a workgroup is - can you explain further?
Is file and print sharing enabled on both the laptop and desktop ? I have no idea; my desktop is a Mac, my laptop is XP Pro. Where would I check?

Only other tip I received was someone in IT at work suggested making sure 802.1x is disabled. I checked, and it is. But I tried it both ways, and neither helped, I think. Anyone know more about this?

It's useful to know that Kes also tried a different router. That was going to be the next thing I tried, but looks like that won't help.

Other idea is: could I be getting interference from a neighbor's cordless phones? Or a neighbor's wifi devices? My laptop did detect a linksys router broadcasting somewhere nearby, but I specified the Netgear, so the latter seems like an unlikely explanation.

[Kes]

Sorry to hear you are having problems with this, too, jcs23.

To answer the questions:

Are you using broadband through the router ? Yes, a cable modem from Charter Communications

Does the desktop get internet? Yes

Does the laptop get internet ? No; it shows it is getting a strong signal (when it's not doing the loop thing), but it goes to a dead page when I open Explorer

Are you using WEP ? No, I currently have it disabled

Are the desktop and laptop in the same workgroup ? I haven't done anything with workgroups yet - I'm new to that part of it

Is file and print sharing enabled on both the laptop and desktop ? I don't know - I haven't done anything with that, either.

[jcs23]

Here's a link to another forum with lots of people complaining about this problem:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,6865210~root=equip,9~mode=flat;start=0

None of the suggested solutions worked for me. They are all already the defaults for me.

[x586]

Ok so let make sure I understand this, for both of you. Your desktops are plugged in getting internet from your AP, your laptops are getting a wireless connection then dropping and reconnecting over and over. If thats correct I may have a solution.

1st go into network connections and go to the properties for the wireless adapter then go to the wireless tab and uncheck the let windows control... box right at the top.

2nd go through the wireless adapter config utility again.

3rd go into control panel, administrative tools, component services, and disable wireless zero config.

4th reboot.

x586

[x586]

Well ???