Travel Technology - I find myself having to repair wireless connection often - any ideas why?

For some reason my Dell Laptop (Inspiron 600m - built in wireless adapter) will decide that it wants to log off from whatever network I am on. I notice it happens most often at home (Comcast cable going into Linksys Wireless G router - but it happened with Earthlink DSL as well), but sometimes happens on the road on other networks as well.

All it takes to fix the problem is "Repair Connection" under My Network Connections (Windows XP). This will resolve the problem 99% of the time.

Any ideas on what could be going on here? I believe I have the latest drivers.

Lemme guess; Intel wireless? I beleive Kanebear is having the same hassles...

Something with DHCP on those boards seems to be crappy...

Lemme guess; Intel wireless? I beleive Kanebear is having the same hassles...

Something with DHCP on those boards seems to be crappy...

Actually it turns out I have a Dell Wireless 1450 Dual Band WLAN Mini-PCI Card.

Although, Intel could make it for all I know.

Not much help, but...

I've a similar problem when the laptop is running on battery and not from a main. It hardly ever happens if the laptop is plugged in.

I'm not sure why, I suspect it's the laptop's power management not giving enough juice to the wireless card. The only thing I can suggest is to make sure the reception is as strong as it can be. The weaker the signal, the more likely it'll drop out. Of course, you can keep the laptop plugged in all the time, but that defeats the purpose of having a laptop, IMHO. If Dell have better power management software for the laptops, it'd be great.

Mine is a Inspiron 9300 with the Intel 2915 A/B/G... It's also a Linksys router and ADSL modem.

I have something similar happen to me every so often (but rare) with my built-in Atheros Super AG wireless card. It happened with my old Intel wireless card that was on my old laptop too. Internet goes down every so often. Still connected to the SSID...just no internet. Sometimes repairing didn't help and I had to reboot. But most of the time Repair did the trick. At home it's Verizon DSL with a Belkin wireless router. At work it's SBC Yahoo DSL with a Linksys wireless router. Happens at both locations.

Another weird thing that occurs with both my old laptop and new one is when I put my laptop in Sleep mode. When I bring it out of Sleep mode, I often can't get on the internet. Again I'm connected fine to the wireless router and SSID...just can't get on the internet. On that one it has something to do with my ZoneAlarm firewall, as if I quit it...internet is good again. ZoneAlarm just doesn't like it coming out of Sleep mode for some reason. I usually have to reboot, which pretty much makes Sleep mode not a very attractive option.

It may very well be related to power management issues. Right-click My Computer, select Manage, then select Device Manager in the window that appears. In the right hand side, expand Network Adapters, find your wireless adapter, right-click it and select Properties. A dialog appears, select the Advanced tab. In the list below select the Power Management property. This should be set to Automatic by default - you have the option of changing it between power settings 1 (minimum) through 6 (maximum). Try setting it to 6 and clicking OK in the dialog.

This wil definitely impact your battery life - but hey, if it means a working WiFi, it's worth it, no?

Also check to see what drivers you are using. It may work if you dump all the drivers and let windows handle it. That was the only thing that worked for my wife's SMC card.

It may very well be related to power management issues. Right-click My Computer, select Manage, then select Device Manager in the window that appears. In the right hand side, expand Network Adapters, find your wireless adapter, right-click it and select Properties. A dialog appears, select the Advanced tab. In the list below select the Power Management property. This should be set to Automatic by default - you have the option of changing it between power settings 1 (minimum) through 6 (maximum). Try setting it to 6 and clicking OK in the dialog.

This wil definitely impact your battery life - but hey, if it means a working WiFi, it's worth it, no?

Thanks! ^ I've tried this and see whether it makes a difference.

Don't rule out interference from other wireless devices too. This would plague my ThinkPad's built-in wifi until I correlated it with my wife using our cordless phone.

Don't rule out interference from other wireless devices too. This would plague my ThinkPad's built-in wifi until I correlated it with my wife using our cordless phone.

Second that. If you have a 2.4Ghz phone, check if it gets cut off when you are using it. It happens every time I get a phone call at home.

Power management. Your notebook is probably disconnecting power from your wireless card.

Second that. If you have a 2.4Ghz phone, check if it gets cut off when you are using it. It happens every time I get a phone call at home.


Yeah, anything in the 2.4ghz range will have an affect on your 802.11b wireless device. Even some microwave ovens can affect your 802.11b wireless connection.

I've also heard (but not experienced) that Bluetooth wireless networks can interfere with 802.11b wireless.

Something else... if you have a neighbor blasting a wireless signal stronger than yours, your laptop might be trying to connect to their wireless signal which knocks you off of yours. You can view 2.4ghz wireless signals with programs like www.netstumbler.com and Kissmet.

If you suspect this is happening, you can turn off the "Let Windows manage my wireless networks" and you should stay on your own connection.

You might try moving your router/WAP to a different location in your house or updating the firmware in your router/WAP.

Sounds like it may be 802.1x authentication disabling your connection when your network doesn't have the infrastructure to support it. Winxp, by default, will enable 802.1x on your network connections with encryption. If there is no successful authentication via EAP after about 3 minutes, the 802.1x agent will disable that connection.

See this article on how to disable 802.1x for connections where it is not applicable. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/814123/en-us

You might try moving your router/WAP to a different location in your house or updating the firmware in your router/WAP.

Another thing that could be done is changing the channel of your wireless network. Changed mine to 11 from 6 and no more interference.

Second that. If you have a 2.4Ghz phone, check if it gets cut off when you are using it. It happens every time I get a phone call at home.

That was happening on my DSL when we went to the 2.4 phones. When we moved it was still happening, and there were some other issues on the line. I got a DSL splitter off ebay (phone line in, dsl and voice out) and mounted it on the wall right next to the demarc, and it hasn't been an issue since. No noise on the voice lines, no disconnects on the router or DSL, and the speed of the connection pretty much doubled. I was at the point of giving up because of the connection at times and trying cable, and this was a total turn around.

For some reason my Dell Laptop (Inspiron 600m - built in wireless adapter) will decide that it wants to log off from whatever network I am on. I notice it happens most often at home (Comcast cable going into Linksys Wireless G router - but it happened with Earthlink DSL as well), but sometimes happens on the road on other networks as well.

All it takes to fix the problem is "Repair Connection" under My Network Connections (Windows XP). This will resolve the problem 99% of the time.

Any ideas on what could be going on here? I believe I have the latest drivers.

90% of what you describe mirrors a situation/problem I've been having. Mine is a Dell Latitude D600, over a Linksys Wireless G router, Comcast cable, etc. My problems occur with the unit running on AC, so the problem is probably not (limited to) a power management settings problem while running on batteries. In earlier threads, the possible conflict with 2.4 gHz phones was discussed, but I haven't spotted a pattern there. I seem to experience more problems the longer my laptop is on, so maybe it's a heat issue? However, I am equally suspicious that Comcast's signal is dropping or is otherwise the problem, and getting the connection through the wireless router makes it more susceptible to inconsistant cable signals.

Today when I lost the connection and repaired it, I received a message that there was a cache which couldn't be repaired (I don't remember the precise message). I Googled the message and was able to get right to the point on Microsoft's website describing how to clear the cache.

From a suggestion in that other thread focused on routers (in this Forum I believe), I did download the file for the router which allowed me to increase the output signal power, but that has made no difference with this problem, as far as I can tell.

YMMV, I guess... However, after configuring the power management of the wireless radio as mentioned earlier in the thread, I'm yet to lose connection like I used to. :)

I seem to experience more problems the longer my laptop is on, so maybe it's a heat issue? However, I am equally suspicious that Comcast's signal is dropping or is otherwise the problem, and getting the connection through the wireless router makes it more susceptible to inconsistant cable signals.

It could be a heat issue. Dell's design is to put the laptop fan on the bottom of the laptop. Why Dell would make a laptop that scalds your legs when you are using it is beyond me.

If you are using your laptop on a surface with carpet, fabric, or very little clearance between the bottom of the laptop and the surface, it could be overheating and shutting down the wireless adapter to bring down the temperature in the case.

My friend had a Dell like that. He would put it on the bed and leave it running. Since the fan was on the bottom of the laptop, it would overheat and just shut down.

If it's a comcast issue. Try running a continuous ping to the Internet and see if you get any packet loss. If you are getting packet loss, give Comcast a call.

. . .
If you are using your laptop on a surface with carpet, fabric, or very little clearance between the bottom of the laptop and the surface, it could be overheating and shutting down the wireless adapter to bring down the temperature in the case.

. . .

If it's a comcast issue. Try running a continuous ping to the Internet and see if you get any packet loss. If you are getting packet loss, give Comcast a call.

I am using it on a (solid top) desk usually connected to a port replicator. Thus the back of the laptop is usually elevated above the desk top by about an inch, which should improve air circulation. However, your theory about overheating and shutting down the wireless adapted to compensate certainly makes sense. Next time I notice some problems, I'll try the continuous ping test to see what the result is. Thanks for the suggestion.

I am using it on a (solid top) desk usually connected to a port replicator. Thus the back of the laptop is usually elevated above the desk top by about an inch, which should improve air circulation. However, your theory about overheating and shutting down the wireless adapted to compensate certainly makes sense. Next time I notice some problems, I'll try the continuous ping test to see what the result is. Thanks for the suggestion.

Same exact set up here. I'll do a similar test.. Interesting how we're both experiencing the same problem with very similar setups. Hmmmm.

I am using it on a (solid top) desk usually connected to a port replicator. Thus the back of the laptop is usually elevated above the desk top by about an inch, which should improve air circulation. However, your theory about overheating and shutting down the wireless adapted to compensate certainly makes sense. Next time I notice some problems, I'll try the continuous ping test to see what the result is. Thanks for the suggestion.


You should try three different ping tests.

1: Ping your router (usually 192.168.100.1)
2: Ping an address on the Internet (www.google.com)
3: Ping an IP address on the Internet (4.2.2.2)

Use the -T switch so that it runs continously.

E.G.
ping 4.2.2.2 -t

Let me know how it turns out.

We all get this probem occasionally.

If you basically aren't getting an IP address (computer w/ an exclamation point) what usually works faster is to do:
1. start>run
2. Type "ipconfig /renew"
3. OK
4. Wait until it refreshes the IP address. If it doesn't then something else is wrong.

I've seen the same thing on my Dell 600m with the Intel "Pro" 2200BG. I've found that sometimes I have to disable/enable it in order to get reconnected. It happens less since I've relocated my router so it's closer to my notebook.

Since I almost never run on the battery, I'm setting the power management setting to "highest". (max-performance, according to the text.)

Thanks for the suggestion.

-David

Also, check to make sure that the SSID of the network you intend to be on is unique.

If there are two or more "defaults" (or other SSID's that are the same) within your range, your connection will keep jumping between the two, and hence be unstable.

Try changing your router's/AP's SSID and see if this helps, changing the SSID if need be. It sure beats having to not use the phone or keep the air conditioner off.

I have something similar happen to me every so often (but rare) with my built-in Atheros Super AG wireless card. It happened with my old Intel wireless card that was on my old laptop too. Internet goes down every so often. Still connected to the SSID...just no internet. Sometimes repairing didn't help and I had to reboot. But most of the time Repair did the trick. At home it's Verizon DSL with a Belkin wireless router. At work it's SBC Yahoo DSL with a Linksys wireless router. Happens at both locations.

Another weird thing that occurs with both my old laptop and new one is when I put my laptop in Sleep mode. When I bring it out of Sleep mode, I often can't get on the internet. Again I'm connected fine to the wireless router and SSID...just can't get on the internet. On that one it has something to do with my ZoneAlarm firewall, as if I quit it...internet is good again. ZoneAlarm just doesn't like it coming out of Sleep mode for some reason. I usually have to reboot, which pretty much makes Sleep mode not a very attractive option.

I have this exact same problem and I do not have any kind of software firewall running. Toshiba TEch Support was of no help whatsoever, saying "this sometimes happens. Watch for firmware updates for the wifi card." :rolleyes:

Is your problem also with a Toshiba?

This has happened to ONE of my T42 series, but I cannot figure out why. It has the intel card, whereas all my others have the great IBM A/B/G cards.

Thing is, it is really annoying since this is the LT that #1 1K GF uses for work, and VPN. the vpn dies, since the wireless connection has died. Then, it doesn't like to reconnect again once there has been a release and renew.

I've tried to work it out with the thinkpads.com forum a great forum but have found no solution yet.

I am having the same issue with my ThinkPad T30 and home wireless (Linksys) connection.

Is there any downside to running ping -t google.com in the background?

Is there a handy batch file (oh, that dates me, no?) that would do a ping, say, every minute or two?

I am having the same issue with my ThinkPad T30 and home wireless (Linksys) connection.

Is there any downside to running ping -t google.com in the background?

Is there a handy batch file (oh, that dates me, no?) that would do a ping, say, every minute or two?

I think if you ping constantly some router down the road will catch on and try to block you. Could have bad consequences for you I would think.

So, with the #1 1K GF laptop, T42, plugging it in made the problem stop, no drop outs at all. I'll reset the power settings on the wireless card tonite and see if that helps. Seems that it should.

For some reason my Dell Laptop (Inspiron 600m - built in wireless adapter) will decide that it wants to log off from whatever network I am on. I notice it happens most often at home (Comcast cable going into Linksys Wireless G router - but it happened with Earthlink DSL as well), but sometimes happens on the road on other networks as well.

All it takes to fix the problem is "Repair Connection" under My Network Connections (Windows XP). This will resolve the problem 99% of the time.

Any ideas on what could be going on here? I believe I have the latest drivers.

If you are using Windows Zero Configuration to configure your wireless settings this is what I usually recommmend:

1) Put the network you use the most at the top of the list, any networks you only use once or don't recognize, remove from your preferred networks list
2) Upgrade SP2 on Windows XP if you haven't done so already. There is an option under the preferred networks list for "Advanced" options. Change the setting to connect to Infrastructure (access points) networks only. Unless you are planning on setting up some ad-hoc computer to computer wireless connections.
3) Update your drivers from your Manufacturer's website. Most of the Intel problems will be fixed by this (though in a later post you are using something else). Intel Centrino machines were having roaming issues jumping from access point to access point all of a sudden. The updates past September for Centrino cards corrects the problem but it is recommended that all computers are always updated with the latest drivers anyway (all else fails you can roll-back your drivers to an earlier version)
4) Use the wireless utility that came with your laptop if you have one. Usually this utility is more useful than the standard Windows XP utility and may allow you to choose the access point with the strongest signal closest to you rather than any access point with that SSID (of course this applies more to networks with multiple access points)
5) Change the channel on your router/card to match. Channel 6 is okay but is frequently crowded as this is the default channel. Channel 11 is not bad. With 2.4 Ghz phones you will need to play around with the channels till you find one that is suitable. Don't get a 2.4 Ghz phone haha.
6) Crank down the speed of your Wireless G devices to 11 mbps or Wireless B mode. It sometimes works :) There isn't really a big difference anyway (almost unnoticeable) as your internet connection's speed impedes your wireless maximum speed anyway.

Many other weird things could be causing what you're experiencing if none of the above works.

I think if you ping constantly some router down the road will catch on and try to block you. Could have bad consequences for you I would think.


They might if you ping them 24/7 but just letting the ping run for 20 minutes or so won't get anyone's attention. Most everyone uses 4.2.2.2 as a basic "am I getting to the Internet" test anyway.

Oh yeah, there are some tools that will ping every minute or so but you are looking for packet loss which requires a constant ping.

Neotrace and NST Tools have functions in them that allow you ping at whatever intervals you like. I like Neotrace because it gives you a nice little map to show you the location of the nodes you are pinging.

Check out Netstumbler (www.netstumbler.com) and see what knowledge you can gain. Netstumbler will show you all the access points around you and if you dig a little deeper it will show you what kind of noise the signal is receiving. If you have a high noise floor, try moving the access point (wireless router) to a different location or as others have suggested, change the channel on the AP.

Make sure that you add your router's IP address to Z's trusted zone.

I had a severe problem with dropped internet connections with my desktop at home, while my laptop sitting about 2 feet away stayed happily connected. At times, I needed to repair the internet connetion at least once every finve minutes. Once I added the router to ZA's trusted zone, bingo, everybody stays connected and I'm happy.