Netgear Range Max Dual Band Wireless N Router Model WNDR3300 -
Intermittent wireless problems
We
recently had someone having problems with a
Netgear
RangeMax Dual Band Wireless N Router Model WNDR3300. The
problems reported were that the wireless connection was always
intermittent. The client workstations would keep on connecting and then
in a short time disconnect from the router. The signal bar on the
workstations were also constantly going up and down
After ensuring that the router
had the latest firmware it was assumed that the router maybe
experiencing some interference which may be effecting the wireless
network. The router setup menu was accessed and it was noted that the
wireless channel was set on the auto channel.
We then decided to set the channel setting to channel 2. Once the
router had been re-booted it was noted that 5 of the 6 workstations now
had good wireless signal and a very satisfactory connection.
We then worked on the 6th workstation which was a HP laptop. First of
all we checked the HP website to ensure that we had the latest wireless
drivers installed. Then we checked for a suitable connection by means
of connecting by a hard wired Lan connection.
We noted that the laptop would work via the Lan connection but the
browser seemed some what slower in response compared to the other work
stations. Our next approach was to check our anti virus software for
updates. We then noticed that this laptop had been running without any
anti malware / spyware utility.
The laptop was then installed with a free popular anti spyware utility
and checked for undesirable infections. When the program completed we
noted that it found numerous infections. We opted for our program to
delete all infections found. After re-booting the wireless connection
on the laptop seemed to have been repaired.
So in the final summary our wireless network seemed all of a sudden not
to like the default channel that it was set on. This router is dual
band and designed to switch over to channels without interference.
However for reasons unknown the default wireless channel was picking up
an unknown source of interference. This was rectified by setting the
channel to channel 2. It was assumed that some interference was
probably being picked up which we were unable to identify. The laptop
had been proven to contain malicious malware activity which played
havoc on the working of the router and laptop.
For people with similar problems our advice would be to ensure that
your wireless network is not prone to interference and the most
important advice do ensure that your security anti-virus and
anti-malware software are up to date.
