Connection issues

I finally got around to putting security on my router (WEP), and since then I've been getting these weird 'pauses' in my connection. For example, if I'm loading a video, the loading will just inexplicably stop, maybe 5 seconds in, maybe halfway, maybe near the end. Or it may not do it at all. Also, in IM programs, sometimes I'll stop sending/receiving messages for a minute or so, then they'll all come through at once.

What do I do.

I've had a similar problem in the past. My connection would frequently disconnect and then reconnect. (It only does it very rarely now.)

The first thing I can think of is to check its location. How far away is it/how strong of a router is it/where are the antennas pointing? But that's probably not the problem, so...

Is there interference? When this was happening to me, I was darn sure it was interference. Routers are commonly interfered by things like certain wireless phones or other things. My router was downstairs in my dad's office, where it was sandwiched in between all sorts of electronics, not the least of which was a phone that was believed to be interfering with it. He got rid of the phone, and I readjusted the router's position a little bit, and I haven't had that problem (frequently) since. Check your phones (or whatever might be near your router) and see if the frequency is the same as the router's. That could mean trouble.

That's the only thing I can think of right now.

SIGH EDIT: I just re-read your post again, and you said it's only been doing it SINCE you put security on it?
Well, crap. I have no idea what the problem is there.
Unless it still is coincidental interference.

Yep. Started right after I put WEP on. And the router as maybe a foot above my laptop. Couldn't get any closer if I tried.

My Belkan router had a router firewall that I thought was blocking some nintendo SD connections on the pokemon series battle functions. I turned it off but it didn't really help, but it I think it helped w/ other stuff because internet it a little smoother now.

Hope that helped.

(but I still can't trade on the pokemon games =(

It seems to work perfectly fine without any security. It's just once WEP is enabled that it ****s up.

perhaps your wireless card isn't smoothly compatible with your router?

I remember we matched the wireless card make with the brand of wireless router and it worked pretty fine as far as I can remember.

*edit*

oh it's only when the WEPT encryption is up?

that is kinda weird.

Yeah, it's worked flawlessly with the router for 2 years, even when it did have WEP on ages ago. It got reverted to default settings like, a year ago, and worked fine. Then as soon as I put WEP on the other week, it got all pissy with me. It plays up when I put it back to the default settings as well, now.