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[nickharris792]

I have a homeplug system (Devolo 200AV) to which my desktop computer is connecrted which works fine except when a specific laptop is connected to the network (whether by wireless or on the homeplug system). The laptop doesn't need to be accessing the internet - just attached to the network.

When the laptop is on the network, the signal to my desktop computer through the homeplug system fails and I therefore cannot get access to the network or the internet.

However this problem only manifests itself with this specific laptop. I can fire up another laptop which does not have this impact on the homeplug system. Unfortunately the laptop which appears to cause the problem is my partner's main computer, and so it's not just a question of not using it.

I have checked the IP addresses, and each computer has its own IP address.
The router is a Netgear DG834G v.4 and I normally have speeds of between 2.5 - 3Mb.

I would be grateful for any ideas.

Nick

[roseway]

You've come up with a strange one here, Nick.

Does this happen when the laptop is running on battery power only? I can imagine that a dodgy laptop power supply could swamp the homeplug signals.

[nickharris792]

Thanks for your reply Roseway, that's a very clever thought.

I did some experiments and found that the signal is disrupted when my partner's laptop is switched on, and its power is coming from the mains circuit. If it is either switched off (although still connected to the mains) or switched on but just using its battery, there is no disruption.

The laptop therefore is must be introducing some sort of interference into the mains circuit? The other laptop does not have this effect, even when connected to the mains and switched on.

Nick

[jeffbb]

Nice one Eric

[nickharris792]

Eric, do you think plugging the laptop power lead into a mains filter would do the trick?

Nick

[roseway]

Eric, do you think plugging the laptop power lead into a mains filter would do the trick?

Nick

Yes, that's what I was going to suggest. It might work. The other possibility is to persuade your OH to buy a new power supply.

[nickharris792]

Eric

Just to finish off, it turned out that the original manufacturer's power lead had been replaced by a generic alternative, and it was this replacement power lead that was causing the problems.

I ordered a new power supply direct from the laptop manufacturer, since when the homeplug network has been fine.

Thanks for all your advice!

Best wishes

Nick

[burakkucat]

It's always nice to read the conclusion to a thread, regardless of the eventual outcome. In this case . . . 

[coolsnakeman]

Nicely spotted. Some kind of electrical interference. Suppose that does make sense since the homeplugs do transmit the data through the electrical current.

Bows to roseway *where not worthy* lol