Continuing to lose wireless internet connection

I have a Linksys WRT160N wireless/wired router. Prior to last week, I had that hooked up to my XP machine. The workstation was wired and we used the wireless capability for my iTouch and our Wii. I got the router and iTouch in May and haven't had a problem with it. As soon as I'm in the house, my iTouch connected and stayed connected. Never ever an issue. A week ago, I purchased and setup a new workstation, an HP p6214y. Because neither workstation has a wireless network card yet, I have them sitting next to each other and both wired into the Linksys router. I can't recall what steps I used to access the XP machine to copy files over, but I did. Somewhere in the process, the W7 machine added the router to the network, renaming it and even changing the password on it. Ever since then, I constantly lose my wireless connection on my iTouch. Most of the time, when I turn my iTouch back on it has lost the connection and I have to connect. Annoying, but it wouldn't be so back if it connected immediately when I went into settings and tried connecting to the wireless network. But it takes at least 20 clicks on thing to finally get connected. Then I stay connected again until I set it down and pick it up again. I have tried rebooting the router. I have tried resetting my router settings (also renaming and changing the password) using the IP address and the reset button on my router. I disabled the Power Management on my NIC card. I've Googled this and have found a ton of similar and related wireless issues, but nothing conclusive to fix it, and everything that I have tried so far hasn't worked. I would appreciate any suggestions anyone has to offer. TIA! :) ETA: I have also tried (many times) rebooting my iTouch. I have also updated the drivers on my NIC card, which is a NVIDIA nForce 10/100 Mbps

No ideas? Anyone?

I don't see how connecting a PC running Windows 7 by ethernet cable to the router can interfere with the wireless settings. However, what happens if you disconnect and shut down the Win 7 PC - does everything then behave as it did previously?

cynthiak said:

A week ago, I purchased and setup a new workstation, an HP p6214y. Because neither workstation has a wireless network card yet, I have them sitting next to each other and both wired into the Linksys router. I can't recall what steps I used to access the XP machine to copy files over, but I did. Somewhere in the process, the W7 machine added the router to the network, renaming it and even changing the password on it.

Did you get access back to the router? have you tried changing the channel the router is using for WLAN? Sounds like it changed to a channel that has conflicts with some other appliance in the vicinity.

mgmcc said:

I don't see how connecting a PC running Windows 7 by ethernet cable to the router can interfere with the wireless settings. However, what happens if you disconnect and shut down the Win 7 PC - does everything then behave as it did previously?

I know, it is weird, but it was like the Windows 7 machine took over the router and is controlling its functions/settings. No matter which machine, or both, is shut down, the wireless still will shut off. The internet via the wired connections has been fine, it's just the wireless connection that's been a problem.

RogerR said:

cynthiak said:

A week ago, I purchased and setup a new workstation, an HP p6214y. Because neither workstation has a wireless network card yet, I have them sitting next to each other and both wired into the Linksys router. I can't recall what steps I used to access the XP machine to copy files over, but I did. Somewhere in the process, the W7 machine added the router to the network, renaming it and even changing the password on it.

Did you get access back to the router? have you tried changing the channel the router is using for WLAN? Sounds like it changed to a channel that has conflicts with some other appliance in the vicinity.

The router still shows in "Network" on my Windows 7 machine (but it does not show up in "My Network Places" on my XP machine. How do I change the channel? TIA!

cynthiak said:

How do I change the channel? TIA!

Most routers have an interface accessible from your browser. Look in your manual or post the model if you can't figure this part out.

Once logged in to your router setup utility, look at the 'Wireless' section and you will likely find several channels to choose from. Their function is to provide alternative frequencies that avoid conflicts with other wireless signals.

Well, it had been on Auto for the channel setting and I tried selecting each individual channel and restarting the router each time. No success. I continue to lose my wireless connection. This issue definitely happened as soon as I installed this Windows 7 machine. At the moment, it's just my iTouch, but I hope to get a wireless network card for the XP machine this weekend and one of the kids is getting a laptop for Christmas, so I really need to get this wireless issue figured out. Is there any reason that my router needs to be in the Network? How can I get it out of the Network on the Windows 7 machine?

Cynthiak -

I'm having the same issue with a Linksys WRT54GS wireless router that I'm using as a wireless access point and switch (routing disabled). I still haven't found the solution so I'm posting both to validate what you've said (Windows 7 machine messes up the wireless network) and see if there is a solution yet. I added a Lenovo Windows 7 laptop to a wired port on the Linksys box. When the machine is on, all wireless devices lose connectivity (iPod touch, Blackberry, Squeezebox, 2 windows XP machines). When the Windows 7 machine is off, or off the network, everything works fine. It seems that the wireless devices are unable to get an IP address once the Windows 7 machine is powered up.

Another piece of info - I can plug a device into another port on the Linksys box (make a wired connection) and that device (my laptop) works fine - no issues.

I saw in another forum that someone suggested completely disabling the Windows 7 machine "Homegroup" - I tried that but it didn't work.

Any resolutions yet?