wi-fi experts please help!

so, in short:

i have a wireless ADSL router and 2 windows xp based PCs with wireless adapters.

my problem is that they can't be used at the same time; if the computer A is on, the browsing is impossible or next to it. if the A is shut down the B works flawlessly. no IP fight between the 2 PCs, and i have plenty of signal from the router (optimal/very good aroud 80% or more). ip is assigned automatically by DHCP.

i'm desperate since i have this problem since 3 months ago. any help is welcome!

 

DHCP from your provider or DHCP from the router (internal private space range?) and is internet connected to the WAN port?

 

from the router

 

longshot but do both winxp nic's have the same mac address? (cmd / ipconfig /all) because I can't imagin such a thing happens :/

And you might also try to bypass the DHCP by manually setting both ip addresses in your xp machines.

 

mmh manual ip you say... any suggestion on the ip to be used? i'm pretty sure the MAC address is different tough

 

If your router has 192.168.1.1 as an ip address:

winxp box1: 192.168.1.2
winxp box2: 192.168.1.3

both with subnetmask: 255.255.255.0
and gateway: 192.168.1.1

For the DNS ip adresses to be able to resolve domainnames, you should first look up this information on your router or at your ISP's website.

 

Some routers over here (In the UK) used to and maybe still do only allow one client to lease an IP Address/Or make a connection.

What is the make and model of your router?

 

@old arcade: it's a netgear but i can't remeber the name... i'm at work right now if my router supports only client what should i do? (beside breaking it up i mean)...

@port187: yes the gateway it's 192.168.1.1 i'll try setting static ips when i'll get home

 

Look for alternative firmware or buy a second wireless router

 

oh damn.... that would suck to have to buy another one... what about alternative firmwares? were to find them, and what to risk?

 

I can't exactly look for yours as we only know its a netgear at the moment but I did a search on netgear + firmware on google and got quite some hits so just check for your exact model to see if there are new official or non official firmwares outthere that might fix the problem you have.
Risk is not big if you ask me (as long as you dont interrupt the process) and the firmware update should be located somewhere within your router admin gui.
Tho if it's a fully modified router provided by your ISP, you will probably not be able to adjust much hence the second wireless router option.

 

I would check to find out whether the router is set to 54B/G mixed and is operating on more than one channel before buying a new one. If you're not certain how to do this, read the manual.

Also, reset the router (ballpoint pen + small black button on back of router for 10 seconds) and re-install the network card drivers.

 

the router is a personal one, so i guess no big problems...

 

Reseting the router and reinstalling NIC drivers is a good idea has mooseblaster suggeted.

For the limitations of the router just check out www.netgear.com although netgears don't normally have an issue with leasing to more than one client.

I would update the firmware as well to be honest.

Also when computer A is connected to the router can computer B see it but just not connect?

 

so my router is a netgear DG834GT. i'm still messing with it at the moment... where can i check if it alows multiple Wireless connections at once?

 

reserved the ips for each machine, turned off DHCP, and still having random disconnession from my pc. my brother's one keep working more or less fine.

i'm getting crazy :/

 

Sounds like a faulty router to me, most wireless routers work bad or have issue's but not as drastic as yours.
Maybe you can try this: somewhere in the admin gui you will see that you can choose a channel / frequency, usually when people around you are using the same channel it can disturb yours (so change it and see if it has any effect)

 

tried that too... also it seems that if i have x360 and computer A online they work... the problem is with computer B.. it seems to lose connection. if it's alone is perfect tought...

i have even reinstalled windows xp, but no changes...

 

Exchange wireless network card between computer A and B to see if the problem moves with it or not.

 

sadly i've already switched from usb pens to PCI wireless card... and guess what? i fear i have a ghost in my room