8

I want to Bridge my Windows 7 laptop's wireless and wired adapters. I just select my ethernet and WIFI adapter, and choose create bridge.

However when plugging in ethernet cable, instantly my WIFI disconnects. How to prevent this?

I have a HP nx6310 laptop with latest WIFI drivers.

studiohack
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Janis Veinbergs
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5 Answers5

8

I found this on another website and it worked for me:

"When more than one network connection is available, Windows uses the one with the lowest metric value. By default, it automatically assigns a metric value based on the network connection's rated speed. See An explanation of the Automatic Metric feature for Internet Protocol routes .

To force Windows to use a specific network connection, assign a metric value to each one, giving the lowest value to the desired connection:

  1. Open the Network Connections folder (Start > Run > ncpa.cpl)
  2. Right click the desired connection.
  3. Click Properties > Internet Protocol Version 4.
  4. Click Properties > Advanced.
  5. Un-check "Automatic metric".
  6. Enter a number between 1 and 9999 for the "Interface metric"."

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-networking/wired-and-wireless-connections-on-the-same-windows/ee40d9a6-297b-46d4-b5c8-db57d927b62e

tawfiq
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2

Some computer have a setting in the BIOS that disconnects WiFi when an Ethernet connection is present.

Or if you have the HP utilities installed check for this setting in Windows.

Wes Sayeed
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user194909
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1

Are you trying to hook a PC with no internet connection up through your laptop with the bridging built into Windows? I've done itin XP, but not needed to in Win 7 yet. It should still work though.

Many laptops have settings to automatically disable the WiFi chipset when a connection is made on the Ethernet port. It's done as a power optimization because normally you don't want to use WiFi if an Ethernet connection is available. You'll have to disable that before this works. Different vendors put settings in different places. Check the BIOS, Device Manager (properties of WiFi), or any vendor supplied power managers or optimizers.

afrazier
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0

Although OP is using HP, I am adding this answer for Dell (Latitude and Precision) owners who might come across the same problem.

Dell stations have "Automatic Disabling of Wireless when a Wired Connection is Detected" option in BIOS. Before sharing connection or creating a bridge, go to BIOS (press F2 or F12 during computer restart) >> Power Management >> Wireless Radio Control and make sure that Control WLAN radio option is NOT checked.

Bojan Komazec
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Windows 7 will instantly disconnect the Internet and reconnect when a better connection presents itself. However, the wireless adapter should still be enabled and available.

If what you want is to use both connections in parallel in order to speed-up Internet transfer, then this is not possible. Windows 7 will always only ever use one connection.

If you wish to use your computer as a bridge for another computer to connect to the Internet, see this article : Turn Your Windows 7 PC Into a Wireless Hotspot. But just be prepared for a low bandwidth.

harrymc
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