New laptop wierdness

renderman · 10-01-2003

Just got my replacement laptop a few weeks ago and I've noticed a bit of wierdness. Since I've avoided XP till now, perhaps there's something I have'nt noticed.

Issue 1: I've got a linksys WAP11 that I can connect to just fine with my Orinoco Silver. Full signal strength. However, at random intervals the connection disappears and XP complains of no singal. Give it a couple seconds and the signal comes back as strong as ever.

I've been able to eliminate any signal problems from anything moving infront of the AP. The AP has been working fine and nothing has changed on it's side for quite a while.

Issue 2: NS works fine, but likes to randomly decide that the card is no longer functioning and gives an 'Orinoco Error' until I remove and re-insert the card.

The big question is: Should I just wipe XP and goto 2k? There's little holding me to XP if it's the cause of the problems.

HITMONEY · 10-01-2003

I use XP with no problems whatsoever. Are you sure that you have all the windows updates? and sp1? WAP11 Firmware/ drivers?

renderman · 10-01-2003

Updated up the wazoo.

I updated the WAP11 just before Defcon (used it there and did'nt want to get rooted)

XP is all updated and I'm using the Winter 2002 drivers from Orinoco. I'm not at my laptop at the moment but I can post all the version numbers if need be, but everything was working on my other laptop in 2K before it died.

I was just inquiring if this was a known issue or not. I've got some other AP's and should have my old laptop repaired shortly for some other testing.

Just trying to sort this out so it does'nt happen when I'm on stage for my talk in a couple weeks.

G8tK33per · 10-01-2003

I've used XP/Orinoco Gold without any problems but I did not install the Orinoco software, just used the configs inside XP and the NDIS drivers.

renderman · 10-08-2003

Found the problem, just thought I'd share:

My dad has been sandblasting in the Garage this past week.

The compressor was on the same circut as the AP. Whenever the compressor kicked in, it was causing just enough of a power dip to cause the AP to power cycle, dropping the signal for a few seconds.

I was sitting there looking for software and hardware problems, and completely ignored the other obvious sources. I did'nt figure it out until we popped a breaker and noticed the AP went down at the same time.

Moved the AP to a different plug, not a problem since.

10-01-2003	#1 (permalink)
renderman Drunken Stumbler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Anywhere but Utah Posts: 1,862	New laptop wierdness Just got my replacement laptop a few weeks ago and I've noticed a bit of wierdness. Since I've avoided XP till now, perhaps there's something I have'nt noticed. Issue 1: I've got a linksys WAP11 that I can connect to just fine with my Orinoco Silver. Full signal strength. However, at random intervals the connection disappears and XP complains of no singal. Give it a couple seconds and the signal comes back as strong as ever. I've been able to eliminate any signal problems from anything moving infront of the AP. The AP has been working fine and nothing has changed on it's side for quite a while. Issue 2: NS works fine, but likes to randomly decide that the card is no longer functioning and gives an 'Orinoco Error' until I remove and re-insert the card. The big question is: Should I just wipe XP and goto 2k? There's little holding me to XP if it's the cause of the problems. __________________ Never drink anything larger than your head! Scaramental Wine Taster for the Church Of WiFi Buy our books! "I reject your reality, and substitute my own!" – Adam Savage CoWF WPA Hash Tables

10-01-2003	#3 (permalink)
renderman Drunken Stumbler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Anywhere but Utah Posts: 1,862	Updated up the wazoo. I updated the WAP11 just before Defcon (used it there and did'nt want to get rooted) XP is all updated and I'm using the Winter 2002 drivers from Orinoco. I'm not at my laptop at the moment but I can post all the version numbers if need be, but everything was working on my other laptop in 2K before it died. I was just inquiring if this was a known issue or not. I've got some other AP's and should have my old laptop repaired shortly for some other testing. Just trying to sort this out so it does'nt happen when I'm on stage for my talk in a couple weeks. __________________ Never drink anything larger than your head! Scaramental Wine Taster for the Church Of WiFi Buy our books! "I reject your reality, and substitute my own!" – Adam Savage CoWF WPA Hash Tables

10-01-2003	#4 (permalink)
G8tK33per Asshole Emeritus Join Date: May 2003 Location: Goomba's Booty Boardwalk Posts: 6,128	I've used XP/Orinoco Gold without any problems but I did not install the Orinoco software, just used the configs inside XP and the NDIS drivers. __________________ "My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening through a cosmic vapor of invention." Sons of Confederate Veterans

10-08-2003	#5 (permalink)
renderman Drunken Stumbler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Anywhere but Utah Posts: 1,862	Found the problem, just thought I'd share: My dad has been sandblasting in the Garage this past week. The compressor was on the same circut as the AP. Whenever the compressor kicked in, it was causing just enough of a power dip to cause the AP to power cycle, dropping the signal for a few seconds. I was sitting there looking for software and hardware problems, and completely ignored the other obvious sources. I did'nt figure it out until we popped a breaker and noticed the AP went down at the same time. Moved the AP to a different plug, not a problem since. __________________ Never drink anything larger than your head! Scaramental Wine Taster for the Church Of WiFi Buy our books! "I reject your reality, and substitute my own!" – Adam Savage CoWF WPA Hash Tables

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10-01-2003	#2 (permalink)
HITMONEY Who Wants Butter??? Join Date: May 2003 Location: St. Pete Beach, FL. Posts: 529	I use XP with no problems whatsoever. Are you sure that you have all the windows updates? and sp1? WAP11 Firmware/ drivers?