Re-sync when RJ45 cable disconnected/reconnected?

Hi.
Our setup is an iMac connected ethernet to a Belkin F5D7632uk4.v1 wifi router and an iBook wifi to same. ISP is UKFSN. Recently my step-daughter has a acquired a Vista laptop which won't connect wirelessly for some reason so I have had to resort to connecting her via ethernet.
Here's the rub...
When I disconnect the iMac and reconnect to her laptop the router re-syncs. The first time I thought it was a coincidence but yesterday I logged into the router while she was connected and the router had re-synced at a higher rate, some 35xx Kb/s. Usual is 329x/33xx. After disconnecting her and reconnecting the iMac sync has dropped to 19xx. As this was the second time in 3 days that this lower re-sync occurred we now have a reduced 1500 profile. Usual is 2500. A re-boot brings it back to the usual sync but it's too late for that. We have already lost the profile.
To get around this I have had to log into the router and dis/reconnect via the interface whenever she wants to get online. Tedious...
I have also, now, left an open RJ45 cable connected to the router for her to connect to but i still go through the interface dis/reconnect as above.
Why is the router re-syncing when the ethernet cable is dis/reconnected? I had always assumed that re-sync doesn't happen unless the router is re-booted or the RJ11 cable is dis/reconnected. I had also assumed that the exchange talks to the router and vice versa with connections the other side of the router being irrelevant.

Any insight anyone?
(She can't leave the laptop connected 24/7, she doesn't live with us)

On a separate note, does anyone have any tips or tricks re connecting the Vista box via wifi? Her laptop sees the network, MAC address filtering is switched off for her, the correct password is entered but Windows keeps saying that it is the wrong password. Help?

Many thanks

TT

interference from the laptop power supply or the iMac could interfere with the ADSL and perhaps be carried along the RJ45. As well as the PSU the screen emits a fair bit of RF.

A faulty RJ45 may have blipped the router power supply.

I don't know why you were unplugging one to connect another.

Turn the wireless security off and see if you get a connection then. Bear in mind that the implementation of WEP, WPA etc can be slightly different with different manufacturers, you may need to change the type of security to find a match. What were you using and what does the password look like ? WEP is usually reliable if you use the hex keys.

Oop, double entry can someone remove this please.

Edited by Beerhunter (Thu 17-May-07 12:08:51)

If you are using WEP remember that the Airport setup wizard requires you to type a $ sign in front of the WEP key.

Hi Phil.

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A faulty RJ45 may have blipped the router power supply.

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Thanks, I'll check that and swap the cable.

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I don't know why you were unplugging one to connect another.

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Because it was an easier option at the time than digging out a spare. Spare now found and left connected to router for DD's visiting laptop.

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Turn the wireless security off and see if you get a connection then.

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I'm disinclined to do that. There's at least one other wifi network within range which would be able to 'see' mine if I did that.. Maybe I'm paranoid...

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What were you using and what does the password look like ? WEP is usually reliable if you use the hex keys.

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WPA personal PSK. 21 alphanumeric characters.

Thanks for your help.

TT

Hi Terry,

Thanks for the suggestion but it is the Windows Vista laptop that won't connect. Airport doesn't come into it. I had, though, tried the $ 'just in case'.
Security is WPA.

TT

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Turn the wireless security off and see if you get a connection then.

I'm disinclined to do that. There's at least one other wifi network within range which would be able to 'see' mine if I did that..

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I think yarwell was meaning just temporarily to help diagnose the problem

Edited by RobertoS (Thu 17-May-07 13:11:51)

indeed, just for a few minutes to establish that the wireless works, then try WEP128 then maybe WPA or WPA2 until it breaks.