you guys are really knowledgible, i hope someone can help me out.. the main problem is that i cant get my linksys access point router to stay online.
my server is not delicated, it is running on windows XP Home Edition, and i've set up my static ip address with the linksys setup program.
on the other end i have one laptop with a lucent card running on windows XP Home. and a desktop with a linksys usb receiver running on Win 98se. i get signal on both computers 24/7, but the internet will come and go. it seems to work more often on the laptop with XP. but it would timeout for hours at times. i have checked the lan cords, and all physical connections, they are fine. i really need a hint of direction to fix this problem. my desktop thats running on win98 se would only stay connected for 30min after it reboots. and sometimes when the usb device is scanning, my computer would freeze, i've checked for worms, updated drivers.. nothing seems to work.
k, here are some factors why i think its timing out.
>there is another network in the neighborhood with a different mac id, but on the same channel. ssid different
>my isp requires the use of a static ip address, and dns servers. when i run nslookup it shows the primary dns server is always down.(thats when my connection is working) when my connection is not working, it shows that no dns servers found. sorry if this message sounds awfully novice.
is there something i can do on the server's end? is there like a "always stay connected button" also on top of all this chaos, when i sign on with AOL (which is not my dsl isp) it also lags out after 20 or so mins. and this is on both computers. when aol lags out, my internet connection is still good. can any one please help me.. thank you so much..
good thing my connection is still alive for me to finish up this message..

If you connect a lot to AOL, you might want to change the MTU setting of all units including the router, to 1400 bytes max instead of the default 1500 bytes max, as that is what AOL uses and it gives you better through put working with AOL network.

Static IP address is fine, but that nearby unit on the same channel could be a problem. Can you select a different channel on all units to get away from it, or ask the other network owner if they can change channels?

Have you checked the Linksys web site for the latest Firmware update for the access point router (you did not specify which one you have or version of firmware). You might try reprogramming it anyway as its current Flash could be corrupted. Have you ever seen the error led come on on the unit, indicating it is failing.

Have you tried moving the access point router away from metal cabinets and the wall, and place it farther away from the other network? Even a few feet can a make a difference, or a blocking metal wall along the direct path.

The DNS servers are a major problem. Can you PING both of them by IP address from the host system? From a different internet connection? Them being down is an issue you need to address with the ISP.

Try going to DSLreports from each of your connections and run their tests, and see what suggestions the site gives. It might give you a clue what to do.

Also, sometimes the Linksys router products have an overheating problem that cause strange problems. So make sure it is getting good air flow up through the box. That the top is not blocked and there is a good opening under it. If stacked, it is best on the bottom. You could just have a bad box that needs to be replaced.

Call or search your ISP support and find two name servers (ip addresses). Set those in the Windows TCP/IP configuration. If the AOL program has a similar option, set this as well.

thank you guys soo much for the advice. this has been great help!!! the Linksys access point is brand new, bought from best buy. model no. befw11s4, i will not be able to check till later tonight, the access point is in my roomate's room.. and he's not home. and my isp only provides me with 1 static ip, for the price im paying.

meanwhile- i have not seen any error signs with the access point. but on the box of the router it states "wireless-b broadband router, built-in-4port Ethernet Switch and wireless access point creates your home network to share printers and files" do i have the wrong device? i believe there is a newer version of firmware.

what is "its current Flash" that you stated in paragraph 3, jack? also i pinged the dns servers on DSLreports, and it says trial ping gave errors time exceeded. DSLreports said that no changes needed to be made, good data system.. this is only true when my internet connection works. i will try all the advice tonight and post a follow up late tonight. thank you so much for your response.

p.s. i've also noticed that when my card stops communicating with the internet(i still have great signal and good quality link with the access point) i have to turn on both receiving computers,(winXP, win98se) and it'll start working again for a little longer. how crazy is that.

"its current Flash"

This is how you update your firmware, it is "flashed" or written into non-volatile memory. The update procedure does this for you.

Flash refers to your current flash firmware.

I am having very similar problems. I notice that my router times out every so often (usually every couple of hours or so) and I have to unplug and replug the router in to make it work again. What could be the problem? I am using an SMC wireless USB card btw. I have the exact same router. One thing I have noticed in all pictures is that most broadband uses a modem of some sort (DSL and cable do for sure), however my broadband internet is based off of Motorola canopy technology and it is just simply plug and play using ethernet or CAT 5 cable, could this have anything to do with it?

"One thing I have noticed in all pictures is that most broadband uses a modem of some sort"

There has to be a reception device that transceives the various channels of data sent (true for both cable and DSL, though obviously the two have different standards). This device can then send the signal through regular Ethernet UTP.

So you have a modem-like device somewhere. Yours is done at a local node that sends a wireless signal (and its not a cable or DSL signal, maybe fiber-optic).

The problem is complicated because of the wireless. Devices have to stay in constant synchronization. This is fairly simple in a loop, but with a wireless signal there is a whole of possible interference. So what happens when the reception of clients and server is broken? The two devices are in the dark and service is disrupted. Neither point can do anything except try to reconnect.

Routers are really meant to be constantly connected. Really, I haven't done a study on this, but it is possible that router operating systems become trapped in loops, attempting to refresh their tables (when they appear to be full of invalid paths). By resetting the router, the operating system essentially grounds itself again and it seeks new connections, rather than trying to re-map old routes it maps completely new ones. Just a guess.

Use ethernet Cat5 cable to your computer when possible.