April 23rd, 2008

So I originally had some issues with Windows Vista and my home network. In brief: I could get connected and see the other computers, and sometimes Vista was even gracious enough to let me see a few pages on the Internet ... but I usually got only about 20 minutes of this before the whole network stopped working. And by "stopped working" I mean the other computers on the network couldn't access anything either; I would have to reset the router (physically unplugging it for 5 seconds, then plugging it back in).

Even when it was briefly up and running, it gave me file transfer speeds of about 25 to 30 K/sec, where one could reasonably expect speeds of between 500 and 1000 K/sec.

So I performed a series of tweaks on Vista that really boiled down to disabling everything new, and returning it to XP-like functionality. This enabled up-times on my network on the order of days at a time before needing a physical reset. But the speeds were no better, and if I did any heavy file copying that involved the Vista box, the whole network would stop working and I would have to reset the router again.

But I contended with it this way anyhow, since even if it was frustrating it was at least manageable.

But (and there's always a "but"), I got an update forced onto my Vista box a few days ago, and now I get network loss-of-service about five minutes after I merely connect from Vista to another Windows machine. I can't do any file copying between the computers any more without the whole network dying a quick death, requiring me to go to the router to unplug it again ... and again ... and again ... often several times a day.

So I finally found a list of networking hardware that Vista is compatible with and, of course, my router is not on the list. If I want better network performance, I must start with buying a newer wireless router. (That doesn't guarantee it will work better, but it is clear it isn't working with the old one.)

And I found and ordered on the Internet a newer and faster wireless router which, luckily, was on sale for $50.00 after rebate. So I am getting a very good deal on a new router. I guess they can offer such a good price on it, since they are probably selling them as fast as they can get them in stock (judging by the number of forum posts devoted to this, I am clearly not alone in my networking experience).

But that is an extra $50.00 that Vista is costing me and all becuase it doesn't support a router that otherwise worked just fine with XP, 2K, and my Linux Internet gateway server!

I gotta tell you, this really pisses me off ...

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