Computer help, please!

[Spiffy McMoron]

I've moved into a new house, and we've got the internet hooked up. There was only one place where the internet could be hooked up properly (it's cable internet) and that is upstairs. My computer is downstairs. Me and my two roommates agreed that we'll set up a wireless network for our computers.

The wireless router that we bought was a D-Link brand, and I bought a wireless adapter for my PC, also D-Link brand.

Now that you have the background information, here is the problem/question:

My internet will often cut itself off, refusing to transfer any more information. When it does this, it's still showing that the connection is on, and excellent strength. However, I can't do anything online when this happens, until I repair the signal. It's annoying when I'm surfing the web, aggrevating when I'm chatting or on MSN Messenger, and lethal when I'm in WoW (It'll freeze up right in the middle of a battle or a cave, and when I get back on, I'm a ghost. :mad: )

In something that may be related, my computer is now telling me that I do not have a genuine Windows XP, and that I should upgrade. (That much is true...:o ) It's not a new computer-four years old-and it's been constantly hooked up to the internet since it's purchase, and this is the first time I've seen that message, and the first time I've had this problem.

Techies out there, what could be the problem, and how can I fix it?

[MadMike]

First thing I'd do is make sure you have the most up-to-date driver for the network card. We had the same problem with a card I bought for my son's computer, and come to think of it, I think it might have been a D-link. Updating the driver fixed it right up.

[CanadaGirl]

In something that may be related, my computer is now telling me that I do not have a genuine Windows XP, and that I should upgrade.

I've been dealing with that crap for the past 2 months now. I think my copy of XP Pro was installed in my computer by my ex-friend/jackass who stole or ripped it. Augh. I don't have the $250 to get a real copy!

Anyway, I don't think that would cause problems with the internet. I have highspeed with a D-link modem, and it works fine. :)

[LostMyMind]

I had a D-link router that did that. I had to update the D-link router firmware to stop that. Turning off the router and turning it back on should get it working again. I was also experiencing that when my cable internet provider decided to "switch cable modem support" and the cable modem I had was no longer 100% compatible. So you might want to talk with your ISP.

Without telling you exactly how to remove that microsoft's spyware that got installed on your computers by microsoft's automatic update program.

There is a program running that giving you that message. Pull up "Task Manager" and find the program name and do a search for it to find the "steps to remove it"

[MadMike]

Without telling you exactly how to remove that microsoft's spyware that got installed on your computers by microsoft's automatic update program.

There is a program running that giving you that message. Pull up "Task Manager" and find the program name and do a search for it to find the "steps to remove it"

Crap, totally missed that part.

This came up once before, and there was some discussion among the mods whether or not it instructions on removing this Notifcation was OK, or if it well under the category of "promoting piracy." I believe the decision was that as long as we were telling people how to remove it from their legimately purchased copy of the software, and not actually encouraging piracy, it was OK.

I had to do the same thing on my wife's computer after it managed to sneak its way on. They're really sneaky like that. They include it in the "Critical updates", and if you don't carefully review it and tell it never to remind you of this update, you'll get stuck with it. You really have to watch, because every so often, they try to sneak it back in, despite you telling them not to remind you of it. Yeah, that's not spyware at all, is it? :rolleyes:

I managed to keep it off mine, but somehow it sneaked onto my wife's. Neither of us had any idea until Zonealarm squealed on it when it tried to access the internet. No big deal, I Googled for a removal tool, and all was well.

I can't remember where I got it, but if you Google for "Windows Genuine Advantage Notification Removal", you should be able to find what you need.

If you have any trouble finding what you need, let me know. I still have the program I used to remove it from my wife's computer. Just PM me your email address (or I could look it up myself, being a mod and all ;) ) and I can send it to you.

[NightWolf]

There is a way to turn off the WGA crap in "internet options"

Get that turned off and it should stop the annoying windows messages.

As for updates.....

Download firefox and go here:

http://windowsupdate.62nds.com/

works like a charm. :D

[Gopher]

Out of interest, was your PC on a wireless connection before or is this the first time you've used a wireless setup?

Wireless is not as reliable as a hard wired setup and you often experience fluctuations etc. in the signal which in turn effects your computer.

I help run a couple of gaming servers and this topic comes up regularly on our forums. I have to say that wireless setups are notoriously awkward, I gave up with mine and now have a cables dnagling down my stairs. There are some solutions/work arounds involving fiddling with antenneas etc. I will see if I can dig up some links. I know one guy who went as far as to make a "reflector" out of a carefully bent pie dish to focus the signal!!

I would try and get hold of a run of network cable and see if the problem is still there when the connection is wired.

Also very importantly make sure your signal is encrypted, it is not unknown for other people to pirate your connection whether unintentionally or not. Again a continually dropping signal is sometimes a sign of outside interference.