Windows 7 Networking disconnects periodically (Is the issue Windows 7, router, or media player?)

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JTOUPS1214

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I’ve been having networking issues, and I’m hoping someone can help.

Here is what I have: Gateway FX System with Windows 7, Cradle Point MBR-1000 Router (3G usb router), and Venice V38 media player (for music, movies, pics, vids, etc…)

I have a strong internet signal and I can access the internet with no issues at all. The problem is my networking going in and out while I transfer data from my computer to my media player, via the network. Network transfer is either very slow at times, or it will disconnect in the middle of a transfer of data. My media player is connected to my router using Ethernet cable, instead of the wireless dongle option that I have) – I did this to make sure I had a good connection. I do not think it’s my media player that has the issues. I had concerns about my router, but I did contact the support desk for my router. They had me make one change that may help (something called “Traffic Shaping”, which basically prioritizes applications) This did not seem to work though. Keep in mind my computer, router, and media player are all within 15ft of each other...

So my final thought is that something within the windows 7 settings have to be changed. Please let me know your thoughts . Thank you in advance!
 
Solution
No promises here but I ran into problems with large files (.avi and .iso, over 500mb). The network would disconnect or the
transfer would mysteriously stall half way through.

There is a registry fix you might try...
Start -> Run -> Regedit

Path in to :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\LanmanServer\Parameters

Set the "Size" parameter in the right pane to 3.
If it's not there create it as a DWORD value and set it to 3.

This solved the problem for me... I hope it works for you.
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I probably have no idea what I'm talking about.....but would something like this work?
Link Removed due to 404 Error

I read on a site somewhere that this helped a person with a similar issue.
 
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Nope... if the underlying network is unstable FTP will only make it worse.

Stick to the course of systematic trial and error we've got going... You'll find it.

I know it's taxing to do this on a BBS, especially when it would be an hour or two job on a service call, but here we are.
 
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Thanks for the heads up on that FTP thing!

This trial and error will get it fixed eventually! (I hope)
If not, i guess I'll have to hardwire on the floor everytime I transfer larger files. But I have a feeling we'll figure it out!!
 
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Well, FWIW... we already have it narrowed down to 1 of two things...

The WiFi card in your computer.
The WiFi card in your router.

So this next test with a different computer on your router should tell us...
If it does it to your friend, you probably have a borfed router.
If it doesn't, your laptop may need service.
 
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Using his computer should tell the tale a little bit! I'm actually hoping his works, so I can narrow down the problem a further.

I would say it has something to do with me upgrading from Vista to Windows 7, but I had that problem with Vista too. So after 3 days of fighting with it, I upgraded to 7.
 
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You have it down to one of two things at this point... his test will give you the answer.

If it's in your computer, then we open the conversation up and get everyone else to chip in with ideas.
But first we gotta know where the problem is...
 
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Well.....
My buddy couldn't make it to my house with his laptop, so after doing some research, i did a test. I noticed alot of problems people having with over 2.5GB.

Well I took 2 movie files. (1) 2.4GB and (1) 2.8GB. I did a transfer back and forth 3 times with each. The results were that the 2.4GB file worked perfectly, while the 2.8GB would start to transfer and fail after a couple minutes.

I'm not sure what might cause this, but it looks like other people have the same issue. The only difference is that the people online seem to have this issue while wired (not wireless like me)

Any thoughts???
 
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That's odd... Did you put in the LANMAN Server "Size=3" tweak I told you about. It's supposed to fix these problems, or at least it did for me.

Does the 2.8gb file work on hardwire?

Got anything bigger... 8 or 10 gb blue ray rips?
I'd be interested in knowing how far it gets on both hardwire and WiFi...

We already know the "Size =" thing was a totally arbitray decision by Microsoft to limit network files to a certain size (512 mb) that makes absolutly no sense in today's world. I'm wondering if they didn't dumbarse the wireless too.

One thing you can try... In Control Panel -> Device Manager... Find and Uninstall your wireless adapter. Then immediately restart the computer and let it reinstall from plug and play. This essentially resets it to defaults...

I'd still suggest your priority task is to get your computer hooked up to a different WiFi and do some test transfers... It's the only way to know if it's computer or router... Even though my money is on it being the computer.
 
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I'm putting this in a separate message because it's not really germaine to our troubleshooting... but it might shed some light on your problems.

My home network consists of my HTPC (ASRock ION 330), my homebrew system (AMD X2), my smarter half's system (same as mine), my son's homebrew system (Intel Core i7), a netbook we all use (Aspire One), a "family machine" (same as mine) in the basement that's used mostly for music, and a number of assorted laptops that "guest in" on wireless.

The HTPC is on XP/sp3 as is the Netbook. My son's system is on Ubuntu. The rest are on Win7 Pro.

1) I could not get Win7 to work on the HTPC or Netbook ... even though both are supposedly rated for Win7. The htpc in particular crapped out badly, wouldn't play FLAC or high bitrate MP3 without burbling and was dropping frames like crazy on 1080p. Both work perfectly on XP.

2) The machines that are on Win7 would not work on "Ultimate" but reverting to "Pro" got them more or less working. There are still issues that we can't fix but I've managed some workarounds for the time being.

3) On the Win7 machines the multimedia playback positively sucks. With even moderate bitrate AVI files, video frame dropping is common, motion is jerky and CPU usage is ridiculous... 50% of an X2 (64bit dual core) processor to play a movie... I don't think so.

Looking around the web it becomes apparent that most "Audiophile" and "Videophile" sites are still treating XP as the operating system of choice for multimedia and I'm forced to agree. XP does a far better job of multimedia providing better playback on Atom processors than Win7 does on AMD X2 processors (1.6 vs 2.8 ghz)... The video quality is better. The sound quality is far better. CPU usage is way down...

But for our discussion the netbook is most relevent... I've done 80gb transfers between the netbook and my backup drive (attached to my machine on USB) without a single problem... many times. This is over 802.1 Wirless, probably very much like yours. When I tried Win7 in it... The wireless was pathetic, slow and re-connected constantly.

Now I'm wondering if you aren't in the same boat...
My solution was to revert it back to XP and all is well.
I don't know if I'd recommend that for you, but it might be something to think about.
 
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In regards to your first post, i did try uninstalling the driver and restarting. It did install the driver again, but did not fix the problem. I also did that "size" suggestion command. I will get my hands on another Windows 7 laptop tonight, so that should tell me some more. I will also try to transfer a larger file through hardwire. I have an Avatar remux video file that is probably about 50GB. I will see if this will transfer throught hard wire.

As for as the most recent post. I have never tried XP on my network, but it may be an option. I just upgraded to Win 7 Ultimate, and I'd hate to downgrad to XP. But I will try to find a laptop with XP and try it out.
 
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50gb... Wow... check your free space first!

If your monster file transfers on hard wire, we have a confirmation it's a wireless problem...
I would also like to see how another win7 machine does...

As for as the most recent post. I have never tried XP on my network, but it may be an option. I just upgraded to Win 7 Ultimate, and I'd hate to downgrad to XP. But I will try to find a laptop with XP and try it out.
Click to expand...

There are some who will tell you that Win 7 to XP is an upgrade --just like with Vista-- and when it comes to multimedia performance, they're probably right.

I ran a single installation of Win2000 from 1999 when it came out, then a single installation of XP from mid-2005 when the family arm twisted me into upgrading. (Apparently protests of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" fell on deaf ears)

I started out with Win7 Ultimate x86, bought 6 copies, for the whole family... had nothing but stupid problems on top of idiotic problems. I returned the unopened copies in exchange for Win7 Professional and believe me, it's MUCH better. There must be something about the added code in Ultimate that makes it flakey. Several of my customers have had similar problems and each time downgrading to Pro got them up and going.
 
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Well..............................
I just took a computer with Window 7 home premium and did a 3gb transfer back and forth WITH NO PROBLEMS!!

In the meantime (on my computer) I have that large transfer happening (40+ GB) I'm doing this wired, and it should be done in about 2hrs. I've completed about 10GB so far.

I don't have a problem trying out windows home premium....if you think that will fix it. I only downloaded Ultimate because that was easily available. I'm sure I can find home premium and try that.

Let me know what you think..............
 
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I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner... The BBS was offline when I tried last night.

It's very encouraging that the other machine succeeded in your tests.
We now know with reasonable certainty, the problem is the wireless on your laptop.

Next the fun part... What to do about it?
What brand wireless is it? (Device manager will tell you)
Are the drivers up to date?
Are you using AV software and which one?
etc.

Your thought of going down to Home Premium might make sense.
However I would suggest you try Professional... then you get the Media Center and Workgroup networking.
 
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If my memory serves me well, I think my network adapter is INTEL. Would that be possible? I'm not at home, but I'm pretty sure that is it.

I'm made sure numerous times that I was up-to-date! I used driver software and have also went to the wireless adapter website.

What do you mean by which AV software I use? (Audio Video) How would that affect me networking to my media player?

Also, My 50GB transfer did in fact work through the hard-wire!

I really do think it is something within my computers wireless settings.........
PS: This is my laptop: Link Removed
 
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AV == Anti-Virus ... Norton is a particularly bad one.
The suggestion was that you disable it and try a transfer or two to see if that's it.

If the hardwired transfer worked and knowing the other computer worked we now know for certain it's an issue with your laptop's wireless.

Excellent trouble shooting... now we know exactly what to concentrate on.
It could be Wireless related settings... in particular is flow control enabled in the Wireless Adaptor settings?

That's a nice laptop by the way...
 
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Sorry for the confusion! I had Norton 360 when I had Vista, but when I switched to Windows 7, i removed it and downloaded AVIRA free. If there is a certain AV you suggest, I'm more than willing to try it (whether it's free or not, i'll find it and try it.)

I will look again today, but I want to say I tried to do the following (below)
But I want to say I did not have this option under the wireless driver.

To enable flow control for your network adapter

  • On your computer, click the Start button Link Removed due to 404 Error, click Control Panel, type view network connections in the search box, and then click View network connections.
  • Right-click your network connection, and then click Properties.
  • On the Networking tab, click Configure.
  • Click the Advanced tab, and in the list under Property, click Flow Control.
  • Under Value, choose an option to enable flow control (choose the Rx & Tx Enabled option if it's available), and then click OK.
 
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I use the (free) A-Squared emergency kit which installs on a USB dongle. The joy is that it's not a full time scanner so it's not going to interfere with anything. You run it when you think you need it... Emsisoft Free Emergency Kit

For the moment you should disable ALL AV software even the Windows Firewall and run another test...
If it works we then know it's one of the AVs and you can re-enable them one at a time until it screws up and voila! problem solved.
It the problem persists it pretty much has to be the wireless adaptor...

BTW are you using any special software to do these transfers or are you using Windows drag and drop?



You mentioned flow control.....I do remember reading up on this, and I want to say I did enable this. Is this something you do through a command prompt?
Click to expand...

Actually you change adaptor settings from Control Panel -> Device Manager ... locate your adaptor and right click then Properties -> Advanced tab. (You may want to keep track of this as we may be in there again....)
 
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I will give that a shot....disable firewall, and make sure I have no AV running! I hope that works, but my luck it will be the wireless adapter.
I'm not using any special software to transfer. I just locate my media player through the network....copy movies from my desktop and paste them into the harddrive on the media player.





CommonTater said:
Actually you change adaptor settings from Control Panel -> Device Manager ... locate your adaptor and right click then Properties -> Advanced tab. (You may want to keep track of this as we may be in there again....)
Click to expand...

Am I locating the wireless adapter? I believer there is also the LAN ethernet adapter in there also, correct? If so, i want to say I could not find the advanced tab under my wireless adapter. But i will look again!
 
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JTOUPS1214 said:
Am I locating the wireless adapter? I believer there is also the LAN ethernet adapter in there also, correct? If so, i want to say I could not find the advanced tab under my wireless adapter. But i will look again!
Click to expand...

Another path to the same thing is through Control Panel -> Network and Sharing -> Adaptor settings. Right click the wireless and select Properties then Configure -> Advanced
 
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