Irritating Windows 8 Wifi - New problem - Urgent help need

[DanielMartin]

Windows 8 is a great operating system but recently over the past two days it has developed a dislike to my Wifi. I am connecting to a BT-Homehub within my house, all the drivers are the newest - I even changed the setting so Windows 8 couldn't turn the driver off when power was low as I assumed that was the issue.

The issue is and still will be when you read this, every network it finds is automatically on auto connect yet it doesn't connect to these, and my network I should be connecting too isn't on auto connect so I have to do it manually every time, and then about 10 minutes in - I get error messages about the gateway, and resolving proxy issues etc. etc. so I end up dis-connecting and re-connecting then I get an hour or two of peace before it decides to piddle me off.

Any advice would be much appreciated. (The photo attached is of the aforementioned auto connect on every network, and even when I click to make it stop, it just resumes auto connect when I click back to check the setting has stayed)

Nobody? Somebody must have some idea of how to solve this as I cannot connect to the internet the majority of the time - even reaching this forum was a struggle.

 

[znod]

I hope that you are not having one of the more difficult to solve networking problems others are having. You could try updating your networking firmware. And, how about trying a system restore to before your problem began? You could also try the automatic repair option assuming you have a proper medium (i.e., a system repair disc or an install DVD or flash drive). And, you could try the SFC /SCANNOW approach. If these approaches don't work, then there are some "more fun" options to try.

 

[DanielMartin]

I hope that you are not having one of the more difficult to solve networking problems others are having. You could try updating your networking firmware. And, how about trying a system restore to before your problem began? You could also try the automatic repair option assuming you have a proper medium (i.e., a system repair disc or an install DVD or flash drive). And, you could try the SFC /SCANNOW approach. If these approaches don't work, then there are some "more fun" options to try.

My laptop didn't come with a windows 8 disc, unfortunately and the backup failed thanks to my harddrive. So I'll try the latter and get back to you in about an hour.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
When I'm in the UK my colleagues usually refer to B.T as that "Bovine" telecom company.

Your Wifi might be dropping signal or you are getting interference from neighbors BT systems.

Try these two alternatives.

A) Free

1) --- logon to the address of your home router -- often like something 192.x.x.01
2) Change the channel say 11 seems to be a good one

B) costs a bit but get a "repeater" which boosts the WiFi signal (around 55 EUR / 43 GBP ).

Wi-Fi Booster Review 2013 | Best Wi-Fi Range Extenders | Wireless Repeaters - TopTenREVIEWS

I've found on B/S telecomm if the WiFi indicator at the bottom right of your screen shows 3 white bands or less then the Wifi gets seriously slow even if it does say "Connected".

My experience in the UK is that SKY seem to me to provide the fastest service even if the signal drops to ONE white band (marked Poor).

I'd try messing around with the channels and then get the "Extender".

I'm afraid I can never understand the English accents those those people on BT's call centers have so I won't even THINK of calling BT if a colleague asks me for help -- these days IMO it should all be done by instant chat lines -- I can use a mobile if I can't logon to the internet via the BT router but I suppose then they'd lose money because they can't scam you for calling up a SERVICE center via a PAID FOR 0845 line --should be toll free (0800) if you need to call them. ( My Proximus Belgian subscription allows me unlimited access to the BT open Wi fi network when I'm in the UK anyway --that's actually a DECENT part of BT. Can't say though I'm impressed with their "Home Hub" type of systems.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Wenda]

Znod's advice is good. I'd check the firmware for updates. I was having issues with my old wireless router/modem (before it died altogether, another story), checked for updates, installed them, and the problem went away. That was on the CP though, so I may be wrong in this case. Hope I was of some help. Wenda.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
IMO firmware updates are very rarely if ever the problem with routers.

Have a go with what I suggested in my previous post. Try changing the routers channel say to 11 or consider buying a WiFi extender.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[DanielMartin]

Hi there
IMO firmware updates are very rarely if ever the problem with routers.

Have a go with what I suggested in my previous post. Try changing the routers channel say to 11 or consider buying a WiFi extender.

Cheers
jimbo

Well I don't understand the channels thing - so some more explanation is needed (I am not tech savvy to the extent I know about minute firmware details or whatever) I tried the SFC /SCANNOW thing, twice and both times it didn't have anything to fix yet my wifi still says automatically connect​ on everybody elses wifi)

 

[Wenda]

Jimbo is no fool. Try what he advises.

I'd actually posted at almost the same time Jimbo did, so I didn't see his post.

Sorry, Jimbo.

 

[DanielMartin]

Jimbo is no fool. Try what he advises.

I'd actually posted at almost the same time Jimbo did, so I didn't see his post.

Sorry, Jimbo.

Yeah I wasn't suggesting that Jimbo is a fool ... I was suggesting I was as I have no idea what the heck he is going on about channels etc.

 

[brummyfan]

Jimbo is no fool. Try what he advises.

I'd actually posted at almost the same time Jimbo did, so I didn't see his post.

Sorry, Jimbo.

Yeah I wasn't suggesting that Jimbo is a fool ... I was suggesting I was as I have no idea what the heck he is going on about channels etc.

Hope this helps you change the channel.
How do I change the wireless channel on my BT Home Hub 1.0 or 1.5? | Help | BT.com Help

 

[znod]

Get inSSIDer. Before installing, you will be better off to choose all the Windows features shown for the 3.5 net framework feature in Control Panel > Programs Features. Run the installer in compatibility mode. Read the simple explanations given for inSSIDer here and about no other products. Also, read about channels here. The channel numbers in this read may not correspond with what you have in the UK. You should catch on quickly to the overlapping channels issue, etc.--which is the main issue when it comes to channels. Try to choose a channel that minimizes interference.

On the other hand, you may not have an interference issue. You say your wifi worked OK initially--which may very well point to a problem other than interference. I forget where you stand in regard to my first post, but check it out again if you want.

 

[DanielMartin]

Get inSSIDer. Before installing, you will be better off to choose all the Windows features shown for the 3.5 net framework feature in Control Panel > Programs Features. Run the installer in compatibility mode. Read the simple explanations given for inSSIDer here and about no other products. Also, read about channels here. The channel numbers in this read may not correspond with what you have in the UK. You should catch on quickly to the overlapping channels issue, etc.--which is the main issue when it comes to channels. Try to choose a channel that minimizes interference.

On the other hand, you may not have an interference issue. You say your wifi worked OK initially--which may very well point to a problem other than interference. I forget where you stand in regard to my first post, but check it out again if you want.

Well I've just changed the channel to 11, it was on automatic - 6. So I'll run the command SCANNOW thing again and get back to you in about 30 minutes.

 

[znod]

I hope that you are not having one of the more difficult to solve networking problems others are having. You could try updating your networking firmware. And, how about trying a system restore to before your problem began? You could also try the automatic repair option assuming you have a proper medium (i.e., a system repair disc or an install DVD or flash drive). And, you could try the SFC /SCANNOW approach. If these approaches don't work, then there are some "more fun" options to try.

My laptop didn't come with a windows 8 disc, unfortunately and the backup failed thanks to my harddrive. So I'll try the latter and get back to you in about an hour.

I see where you stand on my post now. Please understand that I posted some solutions such that it would be really nice if one worked. No guarantees; mainly just hopes so you won't have to do more extreme things. We'll be waiting for your update.

 

[Wenda]

Jimbo is no fool. Try what he advises.

I'd actually posted at almost the same time Jimbo did, so I didn't see his post.

Sorry, Jimbo.

Yeah I wasn't suggesting that Jimbo is a fool ... I was suggesting I was as I have no idea what the heck he is going on about channels etc.

I realise that, matey, i could have put that a bit better... Sorry. Wenda.

 

[jimbo45]

Jimbo is no fool. Try what he advises.

I'd actually posted at almost the same time Jimbo did, so I didn't see his post.

Sorry, Jimbo.

Hi there
Thanks for the complement

Have a great New year

Love it in 'OZ -have some English mates --we meet up with the cricket "Barmy Army" in the SGC (Sydney Cricket Ground for those not in the know) and proceed to drink all the locals under the table. !!

G'day Mate !!!

jimbo

 

[DanielMartin]

I hope that you are not having one of the more difficult to solve networking problems others are having. You could try updating your networking firmware. And, how about trying a system restore to before your problem began? You could also try the automatic repair option assuming you have a proper medium (i.e., a system repair disc or an install DVD or flash drive). And, you could try the SFC /SCANNOW approach. If these approaches don't work, then there are some "more fun" options to try.

My laptop didn't come with a windows 8 disc, unfortunately and the backup failed thanks to my harddrive. So I'll try the latter and get back to you in about an hour.

I see where you stand on my post now. Please understand that I posted some solutions such that it would be really nice if one worked. No guarantees; mainly just hopes so you won't have to do more extreme things. We'll be waiting for your update.

Problem Solved. The wifi issue that is, not the windows 8 auto connect thing which is an interface issue.

 

[jimbo45]

My laptop didn't come with a windows 8 disc, unfortunately and the backup failed thanks to my harddrive. So I'll try the latter and get back to you in about an hour.

I see where you stand on my post now. Please understand that I posted some solutions such that it would be really nice if one worked. No guarantees; mainly just hopes so you won't have to do more extreme things. We'll be waiting for your update.

Problem Solved. The wifi issue that is, not the windows 8 auto connect thing which is an interface issue.

Hi there
Glad it's solved but what did you do.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[DanielMartin]

I see where you stand on my post now. Please understand that I posted some solutions such that it would be really nice if one worked. No guarantees; mainly just hopes so you won't have to do more extreme things. We'll be waiting for your update.

Problem Solved. The wifi issue that is, not the windows 8 auto connect thing which is an interface issue.

Hi there
Glad it's solved but what did you do.

Cheers
jimbo

I just changed the channel.

 

[znod]

Talk about a simple solution.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
I've found in general ALWAYS try the SIMPLEST SOLUTIONS FIRST -- sometimes - especially on technical Forums we can't see the wood for the trees and often get killed by our own "Techno Gabble".

Glad you fixed it.

Cheers
and enjoy the rest of the year.
jimbo.