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Intermittent "Limited Connection" with new Frontier modem

After installing a new modem shipped by Frontier (waited 8 days for "overnight shipping", but I guess that's more of a UPS complaint), every wireless device in the house would get bumped from the signal to a limited connection, sometimes several times an hour, at different times. This problem was fixed by changing the signal's security from WPA2 to WPA-PSK.

Or, it was mostly fixed. My computer still has this problem. Since I'm sort of a novice with anything networking-related and I wasn't involved in picking the service or modem, I wasn't sure how to approach this problem. So far my only real hunch was that it was some software thing on my end, but I've tried reformatting, updating all the drivers, disabling all security, and closing my eyes/wishing real hard.

I'm using Win8 on a Dell Inspiron 3520. The modem/router is a B90-755044-15. Other computers (including another Dell with Win8), the Wii, 360, and a phone have no trouble connecting to it (though they all had trouble with WPA2).

I can't seem to get through to tech support via web chat, and I'd like to avoid phoning them if someone can help, here. So.

Any ideas?

Re: Intermittent "Limited Connection" with new Frontie

If you know how to log into the modem try changing the channel to see if that makes a different. If you have other wireless equipment in the house they may be interfering with the 7550 wireless.

I actually already tried that, and thought it hadn't worked since the first couple channels I tried weren't successful.

And then I realized I hadn't lost my connection in a while, and I don't think I have since switching to 11. I feel silly, now.

Thanks. Not 100% sure it'll last, but it's definitely a drastic improvement so far.

Hopefully that corrects the problem. Good luck.

Well, it's a pretty huge improvement, but it still happens occasionally. I guess it's possible I just need to find the right channel, but otherwise anyone have any additional suggestions?

Where exactly do you have the modem located and how far is it from the PC's that are connecting to it?

The modem's about 30 feet away from where I'm usually situated, in another room. It's usually a decent signal, though. 3+ bars and reasonable download speed. The signal strength doesn't seem to diminish much unless I actually leave the property.

I also tried testing a wireless adapter on my computer and one of the ones that's working properly. It only gets a limited signal when plugged into mine, five feet from the modem, and behaves normally in a different computer, twice as far away.

What is model of the wireless adapter? Do you have the correct driver installed for it? Is the operating system the same on both systems?

»www.dlink.com/us/en/home-solutio···-adapter is the adapter. It's revision B. I don't usually use it, downloaded drivers specifically to test this. Both computers are running Win8. I believe they're both fully updated, but I didn't check the other one when I had the opportunity.

By sheer coincidence, I had the opportunity to test my connection at 7 other access points in various conditions. I have absolutely no idea what the problem is, and apparently neither does tech support, but I guess I'll try to fix it by just buying a new modem, since I can't really afford this to be an issue next week.

So, thanks. The story has a... not happy exactly, but acceptable ending, after all.

Whatever.

Re: Intermittent Limited Connection with new Frontier router

I have a Frontier 7550 that would hang and crash every 3 or 4 hours. Not a good thing when working from home. I turned off wireless and disconnected all Ethernet connections to the 7550, except for attaching it to an ASUS RT-N66U and set up bridge mode between the two routers. No more problems, everything works. The 7550 can't handle the load of 7 or 8 devices.

I considered that it might just be overloaded, and to test this I temporarily blocked WiFi access to everything but my computer, alone, with no improvement.

Though I guess this does bring me to question 2, and probably a simpler one; I can pretty much buy any cable modem and it'll work, right?

I was looking at this »www.amazon.com/Cisco-Linksys-WRT···CGFOR0IX but I'm not sure how to verify it won't be somehow incompatible with Frontier, or cause problems if I ever actually get a hold of tech support.

A couple of quick questions,
1.) Why would you go from wireless N, to bridging it to a wireless G router?
If it were me, I'd have the local field tech bring out a new Netgear 7550-N and see if it was just a faulty modem in the first place. ( IMO and experience, the Netgear 7750-N in a steaming pile of mass produced, Chinese crap.) $0.00 cost solution.

2.) You may want to take a look at something like this. Actiontech GT784WN gateway modem. wireless N. Compatible with multiple ISP providers, to include Frontier.
»www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···0gt784wn
Current Sale price: $65.00 + S&H.. well worth the price.( less than what I purchased mine for.)

I bought one of them a year and a half ago and have no regrets. I found it to be Vastly Superior to what is currently being shipped out to most of us on above ground copper services. (previously Verizon, acquisition areas.) Setup was a breeze. Release the IP in the Netgear 7550. power off. Plug in the Actiontech and, for most of us, the setup wizard automatically acquires the correct settings and away you go.