Keep on losing connection

Funkstard

Ok so in my house we have a Netgear wireless router set up. I got a laptop today, and whilst it quickly connected to the internet through the network, the connection is repeatedly lost every few minutes. It connects back again after 10 seconds or so. I'm 6 feet away from the router so that can't be the issue. Does anyone know what could be wrong/what I can check, look for etc. to see what's wrong?

Thanks very much

Foxwood

Funkstard wrote:

Ok so in my house we have a Netgear wireless router set up. I got a laptop today, and whilst it quickly connected to the internet through the network, the connection is repeatedly lost every few minutes. It connects back again after 10 seconds or so. I'm 6 feet away from the router so that can't be the issue. Does anyone know what could be wrong/what I can check, look for etc. to see what's wrong?

Thanks very much

Have you enabled encryption on the connection? What happens if you disable encryption. Do you have a DECT phone or a "video sender" device that might be interfering? Are any of your neighbours likely to have a wireless network connection that's interfering? What make/model of laptop do you have?

6 feet is no guarantee that a wireless connection will work, if there's sufficient interference in the area.

Funkstard

I have a Dell Inspiron 6400. In the room there's the base Dell desktop, my dad's Latitude laptop, my laptop, a tv, the base for the cordless house phone (not sure if it's a DECT phone) and a few mobile phones. Well that's whats usually there anyway. Could any of these be interfering? I would highly doubt either of our neighbours would have a wireless network set up

dub45

With Eircom and the other isps now giving out wireless routers its amazing how many wireless networks you may find around you - try downloading netstumbler - www.netstumbler.com and netstumlber.org for advice - and it will show you any other wireless networks that are close by.

You could also check to see if the wireless card on the 6400 has the latest wireless drivers as the early versions were prone to dropping the connection.

How do the other laptops perform with the wireless network?

It might be worth trying the new laptop in a wireless hotspot just to make sure that it can hold a wireless connection.

Funkstard

My dad's new Latitude has the exact same problem. Thats why I'm thinking it's something to do with the router itself. I'll check to see if it has the latest drivers. It should though, I mean it's a brand new laptop!

irlrobins

Funkstard wrote:

It should though, I mean it's a brand new laptop!

Nope, the fact that it's new means nothing. First thing I do with any computer product is to update the drivers/firmware. It's rare to find one that has shipped with the latest drivers installed.

Sure look at windows on the laptop, bet the first time you connected it to the internet it said there were updates available to download for it.