Computer guys, riddle me this (Page 1/1)
MidEngineManiac JUL 15, 01:10 AM
2 computers on wifi, both sitting on the same desk. Both working fine.

We have a downburst or F0 go through and loose power for about 5 hours.

Power comes back on. Desktop is fine, like nothing happened.
So are all 4 TV boxes. the tablets, phones and everything else.

Laptop will NOT get any sort of data transfer rate close to useable, and network diagnostics (W10) keeps telling me it's a modem connectivity issue.. I've already reset both modem and router 3 times !!

Besides chuck the damn thing in the river, anybody got any viable ideas to look into ?
Cliff Pennock JUL 15, 05:02 AM
There could be several reasons. The two most common:

1) Your laptop is not connecting on the same band as before. It might have switched from 5Mhz to 2.4Mhz or vice versa. Devices can work perfectly on one band, but can hardly get a connection on the other.

2) Is your router set to automatically pick a WiFi channel? If so, it might be that it has picked a channel the laptop has more difficulties with due to internal interference. Or it could be that the channel your modem is on, is now crowded since all WiFi modems around you have reset as well. There are many free apps available for your mobile phone that check all WiFi channels and show you how crowded they are. You can then switch - if necessary - to another channel.
theogre JUL 15, 10:59 PM
Maybe Driver problem and "just" needs shutdown...
But...

Shut down in W10 Does Not Shut Down but "Hibernates" for "Quick Boot/Startup" by default.
I think uses shorter Hibernation then Full Hibernation that saves entire section that many people know about and may use same Hiber file @ C:\ and hidden by default.

Disable quick boot buried in Power Options
and/or
Restart the system every time you "crash" or have other problem.

------------------
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(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

MidEngineManiac JUL 15, 11:06 PM
Actually, it was an interference issues. I had velcroed a new external 1TB to the lid of the thing, and it was interfering with the wifi card (I guess). Moved the drive a cable-length away from the laptop and problem solved.

Since I had re-arranged my desk while we were power-out, it was just coincidence that I found the problem when the juice came back on. It was the ISP's tech support that asked if I had changed the machine since the other 8 devices in the house were working fine. BINGO.

She had a cute voice too, so talked me into upgrading my package one level .....Women get expensive every time

[This message has been edited by MidEngineManiac (edited 07-15-2023).]

williegoat JUL 16, 09:32 AM

quote
Originally posted by MidEngineManiac:

Actually, it was an interference issues. I had velcroed a new external 1TB to the lid of the thing, and it was interfering with the wifi card (I guess). Moved the drive a cable-length away from the laptop and problem solved.

Since I had re-arranged my desk while we were power-out, it was just coincidence that I found the problem when the juice came back on. It was the ISP's tech support that asked if I had changed the machine since the other 8 devices in the house were working fine. BINGO.

She had a cute voice too, so talked me into upgrading my package one level .....Women get expensive every time



Ah ha! I learned recently that USB3 can interfere with 2.4g WiFi.
theogre JUL 16, 05:48 PM

quote
Originally posted by williegoat:
Ah ha! I learned recently that USB3 can interfere with 2.4g WiFi.

Consider many WiFi adapters run on USB3 and up for years... Maybe.
And Not just 2.4GHz band.

Many Laptops Tablet and Phones have Crap WiFi & BT antennas and easily blocked by stuff on a desk etc.
Many "Desktops" w/ WiFi have similar problems because antenna(s) often buried in other cables, furniture, etc.

Many Plugin devices are made poorly at best w/ little to no RFI shielding.

Even when things have True labels saying meets FCC Part 15 most are Class A for Business use and causes a lot of issues at "home." Home use is Class B & more strict because cause problems w/ AM/FM Radio and TV decades before most people had Cable TV.

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 07-16-2023).]

williegoat JUL 16, 06:20 PM

quote
Originally posted by williegoat:

Ah ha! I learned recently that USB3 can interfere with 2.4g WiFi.


https://www.usb.org/sites/default/files/327216.pdf

quote
The purpose of this document is to create an awareness of radio frequency interference to wireless devices operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band as a result of certain USB 3.0* devices and cables. This is a guide to customers of the USB 3.0 RFI mitigation options that are available.

[This message has been edited by williegoat (edited 07-16-2023).]

theogre JUL 17, 01:44 PM
Quick skim of Intel Doc is basically say the same as I said above...
Bad shield(s) on X will cause problems on 2.4GHz and other bands near by.

While doc is mainly for other manufacturers, should help for other w/ crap cables etc or DIY things using USB3.x

Example: If bought external HD/SSD from iffy brands often have crap cable, no shield on/in the device or both. Even when have FCC marks because iffy/no-name brands often counterfeit all safety and other marks.

If have USB3 docks for internal drives, many can cause same because people leave covers off etc. Others are made so can backup/restore data and not On full time like one I have w/ 2 slots to take bare Laptop and Desktop drives.
And while the unit I have has FCC mark, has no FCC ID # on it or doc and box came in and likely counterfeit.