Linksys WET11 and DNAS error -612

.:LongBow:. · 02-22-2004

I wanted to post this since it's a problem I've had for a long time. I know a lot of people use the WET11 Wireless Ethernet Bridge made by Linksys, as it was one of the only ways to get a PS2 on a wireless network when the network adapter first came out. I've had on and off problems with mine, but until recently was usually able to get on and play without too much difficulty. Some nights I'd get right on, some nights I'd get on and have massive lag for no perceivable reason and over the last week I started to get a DNAS error -612 that would come and go ... No real pattern to it.

Anyway to make a long story after a lot of troubleshooting I discovered 3 things about the WET11, all of which I've fixed on mine and are now giving me stellar performance. In order from least to most complicated.

1) The antenna on the WET11 can become loose very easily. Nowhere in the troubleshooting steps does it say "Screw the antenna in tight if it's not working"... Stupid I know, but I overlooked it for a year and wondered why my reception would suddenly cut out from time to time.

2) The WET11 and the PS2 Need separate IP addresses. For most people using Dynamic IP (DHCP) on their home network this isn't a problem, but awhile back I made all the devices on my network have static IP addresses so that I could run a server from home easier. I discovered that I had inadvertently set the WET11 and the PS2 on the same IP ... This WAS what caused the DNAS -612 error for me. I talked to Sony and they said any error in the 600 range was usually some kind of network configuration issue. I'd been using this configuration for a long time and it always worked for some reason, but suddenly and recently it stopped working... I set my WET 11 at IP xxx.xxx.x.5 and my PS2 at xxx.xxx.x.6 and it connects flawlessly now (knocks on wood).

3) The wireless card in the WET11 is crap. The WET11 itself is a decent piece of hardware on the outside, it does what it's supposed to do ... become a mobile ethernet port. But if you open it up you'll find that the card inside is a cheap low powered wireless PC card. the card is actually just a Prism based wireless PCMCIA card ... like the kind you can buy to add wireless functionality to a laptop. The built in card only transmits something paltry like 80mW. If you have the older version of the WET11 you can take this card out and replace it with a better one. I bought a 200mW high powered 802.11 b card made by SMC Networks (got it right at my local CompUSA) model #SMC2532W-B. This simply snaps in place of the old card and increases the power nearly threefold. My reception went from 59% to 100% ... It will set you back another $70, and voids your warranty, but chances are if you have WET11 v1 you're out of warranty already.

just wanted to pass this info on since I'm sure others may be having similar issues to mine without realizing it. If you use wireless and get that DNAS error -612 I hope this can help someone else.

TEKNIC · 02-22-2004

Thanks for the tips. After reading your post I immediately looked at my WET11 an ALAS! my antenna was in fact loose. As for the other problems, I use DCHP and its only 30 feet from the base station, but others may have those same problems. Again, thanks.

-PREDATOR- · 02-22-2004

i have the same problem the -612 error. But i have a D-Link router, but the thing is at my dads i have rogers HI speed and thats where i get the -612 error but at my moms where i always play, i have rogers LITE speed and i get on no problem...its very weird

KeenEye · 03-15-2004

I have the same problem... i just got Socom II, yes just now because i had doubts after all the hacking on Socom I. I have the Linksys Wireless G router (WRT54G) and the wireless B game adapter. I know ive gotten my network to work before because i played EQOA with it setup although I just hooked my router back up. I get this error every time i try to get logged on. Do I need a new patch to get connected? Or do i have to get connected first to get the patch? I have my router on static ip right now and SSID broadcast on, and WEP disabled. Can you help me, or is there a number for phone support?

KeenEye · 03-15-2004

Looks like i get DNAS error (-613) now, im figuring its my network but i cant figure out whats wrong... i updated my firmware. Anywhere I can get definitions on these errors.. maybe phone support eh?

HCI445 · 03-15-2004

this thing absouletly sucks!!!!! i bought it last month, thinking that it would solve my wireless problems... it sure didnt. my router was like 4 ft away from the bridge and it had a very hard time reading that. i returned it the next day

kermit18 · 03-15-2004

PLEASE HELP i have a netgear cable/dsl websafe router model rp114 i keep getting the error 612 but if i connect straight to the modem it works fine what can i do to fix this thanks

Cincy~Keebs · 03-17-2004

WOW I didnt think anyone who plays SOCOM would have Linksys Wireless besides me. I have the Wireless-B Game Adapter and works FROM TIME TO TIME recently I am trying to upgrade to Wireless-G and also trying to download that firmware as someone metioned earlier. I don't think wireless is the best for gaming. Especially Broadband...Everytime I play I have to get kicked off atleast once or twice. Everyone tells me I lag. People with the WET11's can you please give me some advice on this stuff. My clan expects me to be on pretty often but I can't because of this internet. Everytime I call up Linksys they can't do **** about it. People with the wireless please give me some good advice on this and I know no one likes lag thats why I'm begging you to give me some tips.
What Should I do? WET11,Upgrade to wireless-G (5x faster than B),access points, signal boosters,anything! I'm just wondering what you have and what I need to get this working straight.

Thanks

.:LongBow:. · 03-17-2004

Firstly, if anyone tries to tell you that wireless is slower or laggier than wired they don't know what they're talking about. As long as you have everything set up well, and you have a good strong signal to your WET11 adapter it is just as good. Ever since I got my troubles (see my first post in this thread) sorted out my connection when playing SOCOM has been absolutely flawless, I've played with people that have wired connections that were having more trouble than me. Everyone tries to say, wireless can't go as fast as cable which is true ... BUT Even if you're using the wireless B standard, that gives you 11MbPS speeds, even if you have a poor connection and can only get half the maximum speed (5-6MbPS) that is still MORE bandwidth than the BEST home Broadband connection is going to get ... Cable maxes at about 3MbPS down, and most home DSL is half that. So wireless carries PLENTY of bandwidth for online gaming.

Take a careful read through my first post at the top of this thread, particularly the part about the IP addresses of the PS2 and the WET11, they need to be different, and I highly recommend not using DHCP on your router, since it makes it much easier to forward ports.

If there's a lot of "Stuff" between your router and WET11, check the WET11's web based control panel to see what kind of signal strength you have. If the WET11 is a long ways away, or goes through a lot of walls, or floors your signal may be weak ... Anything below 65% you should try to improve ... You can upgrade the antenna on your Router or add an extended "Pig Tail" antenna to the WET11 itself ... or if you have the older version of the WET11, you might be able to upgrade the PCMCIA card inside of it with a more powerful one like the one I mentioned above ... When I put that card in, my WET11 went from 45% signal strength, to 100% signal saturation.

Cincy~Keebs · 03-18-2004

LongBow do you have the Wirless-G or Wireless-B? Also, tell me what else you have besides the WET11 (Like router,access point,signal booster) I have 2 notebook cards and 2 game adapters. The notebook cards work great but the one game adapter broke and the other one works like hell. So give me some info on what you have. Thanks