I won't pretend to know a lot about this.Is it possible that the way you are configured to the school network could be part of the problem?I only ask this because at the school I work for students that have thier computers fully open to the network neiborhood would often yell at other users for running stuff off thier machine(slowing down thier machine greatly) as opposed to downloading whatever was ok to access.There was alot of shareing of mp3s, games,and other software.Like I said I don't pretend to know much about it just wanted to point out a possibility.

TBH, sounds like you've just picked a crappy router. If you go for another one I'd stronlgy recommend a Netgear. My one (can't remember the exact model number, DG something or other (can check for you)) is brilliant. It's networked all around the house, and sits in the study, giving good range.

Just out of interest, where is your router? Also, is it near a phone, or anything else, microwaves, that kinda thing? That could be distracting the signal, although it should work when its only 5 feet away. I've found that if I have my mobile phone too close to my wifi card it can cause disconnects, but this computer is up a level and a few rooms away from the router, passing through numerous walls.

Also, what way is the router antenna facing? That can really help...

The router is on a platform next to my laptop (about 3-4 feet away, with nothing between it and the lappy). The modem it is connected to is 2 feet away from the router. There are no cordless phones or microwaves or otherwise within 20 feet of it. The antennas are sticking straight up.

Seriously, this Linksys thing is rubbish...I should've gone with another D-Link, but I couldn't find any here in Boston...I'm over it!! This is a bloody WIRELESS router and I have to plug my lappy into it with an ethernet cable to get it to bloody work. :rolleyes:

I don't know how much more I can take of this...I just don't understand how something can start off at 54Mbps when you first launch the browser and then dwindle down to 2Mbps after 5 or so mins, only to start at 54Mbps again after closing and opening the browser. And it happens with BOTH Firefox and IE, so I know it's not a browser issue.

See, look at it...it's going down as we speak! 54 down to 48, down to 44...I'll bet you a million greenbacks that it ends up at 2mbps and then the inevitable dropout. Bloody clowns!!! [img]graemlins/madhell.gif[/img] :(

OK, I've been pushed over the edge...I've decided to chuck out this linksys WRT54G thing as it is clearly not fulfilling its function as a WIRELESS router. Can anyone suggest another wireless router that actually works?

I'm happy with the D-Link DI-524. It's a pretty good entry level Wi-Fi Router, and quite inexpensive. I upgraded the firmware to the latest version right out of the box, and have never had any dropped signals or range problems.

Hey Mems, For NIS 2005 have you run a internet enabled program scan ?

That will pick up all the progs that need access to the net and let them have the access they need.

1) Open up System Status screen.
Click on the firewall
Click configure
Click Programs
Click Program scan

You can then go down and allow all programs access to the net that need it.

If that doesn't work the Symantec Corporate Firewall works better so I could get you a copy of that.

Mems, we're using that router with no problems and dropoffs are rare. Must be something is interfering or maybe you did get a dud?!

Also Mems, try resetting the router, as that does fix some problems, could be that a simple reset fixes it for you.

Recommended Router : Netgear DG834G for 54 MBPS

Or for 108MBPS : Netgear WGT624

I haven't had any kind of issues like that, but I've got the 802.11B router, not the G one.

First thing I'd do is box it up, take it back, and ask for another. Tell 'em what's going on, and that it's either a dud or something you just don't want to deal with.

'Course, as I think about it, there are two more things I would do.

First, I'd get someone else to connect to it and see if they run into the same thing. If they do, it's the router and not your laptop. IF they don't, it may be a laptop setting and we can look more there.

Second... have you secured it down? I mean, hidden the SSID, enabled WEP or WPA, and so on to ensure that no one else is logging into it? It could be that your router is open and it slows down because enough other people are connecting to it... or just one with an MMOG fixation or something :D You can check the Linksys logs to see who's connecting to it... or at least how many MAC addresses are connecting. There should be only one... yours.

I've got a stack of four different Linksys boxes sitting in the corner (router, cable modem, switch, and B-WAP). I've had none of these kinds of issues, with, as I think of it, one minor exception.

That was hooking up the XP-Home machine upstairs. Windows was trying to help me by scanning for WLANs, and it seemed to keep getting stuck when I didn't broadcast the SSID. It would pop up every couple of minutes to say the signal dropped... or came back. I stopped hiding the SSID, and the problem went away.