Netgear WG121, Wayport and random disconnects

[Spiricore]

Hi all,

I recently moved to an apartment complex that provides Wayport (www.wayport.net) wireless access for it's residents. I consider myself experienced when it comes to computers but a total newbie to networking. It was usually a matter of "change some settings and see what happens" experimentation back at home. I don't have that luxery here.

Anyways, the apartments has their Wayport system set up so that you can connect to their service by connecting your wireless device and opening up your web browser (which automatically gets redirected to their site) where you have to enter in a unique coupon code to access the internet. I was told that I would have to enter in this code each time I wanted to access the internet - but after half a dozen restarts so far, I haven't had to. My problem seems to lie with the WG121 USB adapter.

I have Windows XP w/SP2 that's fully updated. I downloaded and installed the 2.0 drivers for the WG121 off of Netgear's site and installed those after having some problems (that still occur, just not as often) with being disconnected randomly...and apparently permanently...until I restart the computer.

Both before and after I installed the latest drivers both lights on the adapter (USB and Wireless) would be lit up (solid, not blinking). Though, after a random duration (first it was about 50 minutes, now up to 7 hours) both of these lights will both go out and my internet will totally cut off. I've tried unplugging the device and switching USB ports, but the lights will still not come on and my service will not return until I restart the computer...then everything is fine and dandy again.

I've done some google searching to try to see if anybody else has had the same problem, but in every instance I've found nobody has NOT had control of the router. I am not able to change any settings to it, I can simply receive the signal, so I'm not sure what I can do to either a) avoid the adapter shutting down or b) resetting it without restarting my entire computer.

Technicals:
- Adapter: Netgear WG121 802.11g Wireless USB2.0 Adapter.
- Router: Unknown
- Wireless G connections. Excellent signal (7-8 bars in Netgear's software) on Channel 11 w/ 24-54mbps and a green status symbol on the system tray...until it cuts out, that is.
- Wayport does not use WEP encryption, and the SSID is consistant for the different signals offered to each of the different sub-complexes, though I am only able to connect to the nearest one through Netgear's software - if I try to connect to any others, it bounces me back.
- SSID I can connect to consitantly has 100% signal and security as "none".
- I have the "Use Windows to configure my wireless network settings" box unchecked under the Wireless Network Connection Properties. (I think Netgear's software disabled it when I installed it.)
- On the Advanced tab of that same window, I have "Allow other network users to connect..." unchecked and "Allow other network users to control of disable the shared Internet connection" checked. Not sure if that has anything to do with it...and it's greyed out so I'm not able to change it.
- Windows Firewall is currently disabled.
- Address is assigned by DHCP.
- Network Type: Access Point (as opposed to Ad-Hoc)
- Advanced Settings in Netgear's Software: "Power Saving" off, "2.4GHz Preamble" auto, "Transmit Rate" auto, both B and G Wireless Modes checked, "RTS/CTS Threshold" maxed at 2346.
- Netgear WG121: "Driver version" 1.00.05.1000, "Firmware version" 2.04.03.04 N 0.02.03.00, "Smart Wizard Wireless Utility version" 2.0.4.0.
- No P2P programs in use.
- No viruses and removed all spy/adware.
- Netstat returns 13 results, though I'm not sure if those are also other people connected to the same router?
- The adapter is placed nowhere near a microwave/cordless phone/anything else besides my monitor and computer.
- Overheating should not be an issue, I have it sitting on the desk by itself, nowhere near any heat sources.


In summary, I'm not entirely sure what to do to avoid the adapter severing itself randomly. I would like to be able to stay connected 24/7...and if not, I'd like to be able to reset the adapter without having to restart windows. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated, as this is going to really suck once I start gaming again. Thanks in advance!

[phizaze]

There used to be a page specifying a hybrid driver using a few files from a linksys driver package. I had used that driver for my WG121 with great success. Problem is, that page is nowhere to be found, I can't remember which linksys driver/files it was, and I have formatted my drive. If anyone can find this info, please post it!

phizaze

[phizaze]

FOUND IT! using dogpile instead of google.. here it is, from
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/rema...=flat~start=60

"Ok, I have managed to hack the version 3.00.12.0 Linksys drivers so that they work with my Netgear WG121 device, and it has solved all my problems! Before my wireless connection would drop afer a few seconds of any intensive network activity (i.e. copying a large file) but I have just transfered 500MB worth of data without a problem!

The process is incredibly simple:
1. Download & extract the linksys drivers above, then browse to the Drivers\WUSB54Gv2 folder.
2. Rename WUSB54GV2.cat to netwg121.cat, then rename WUSBGXP.sys to wg121nd5.sys
3. Copy these 2 files into the \ndis5 subfolder of the Netgear 2.0 driver package, overwriting the existing files, there are also copys of these files in the root folder, overwrite these too if you like.
4. Open netwg121.ini, and change the line DriverVer = 11/13/2003, 1.0.5.1000 so it reads DriverVer = 03/30/2004, 3.00.12.0
This is purely cosmetic, but usefull to double check the new drivers have installed correctly
5. If you wish, install the Netgear client utility by running setup.exe as normal, entirely up to you either way.
6. Open the device manager and if necessary manually update to the 3.00.12.0 driver version by pointing the driver wizard to the \NDIS5 folder.

I have used both the built in XP SP2 client and the Netgear client, both work flawlessly."

[Waldo]

I followed the instructions, and the solution does indeed work. However, it will not connect at a steady speed. It fluctuates anywhere from 12 to 54 Mbps, with 96% signal strength. Why is that? What can I do to stabilize the speed?

Thanks for your help.

[Geocorona]

Are you the original poster? Since you're in an apartment, you'll have other radio signals to contend with, such as wireless phones and leaky microwave ovens that transmit in the 2.4 GHz range.

What you probably have are competing users around the complex, and dropped packets from a variable-quality signal.

I doubt your antenna is set far enough away from the laptop to make a parabolic reflector for it. http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template/

If your antenna is removable, they make stronger antennas that can attach by a pigtail cable.

I don't think you can make any software setting changes to improve things, but I might be wrong.