WiFi issues... Laptop card?

[porsche4life]

Is this a software or hardware issue?


There are times surfing the web that it acts like my internet connection is down... WiFi signal is strong but no internet... Reboot my wifi card and all is well again.... Now I have music streaming over WiFi to an airport express. It will just stop playing b/c it looses connection to the airport randomly or will start sounding like the music is getting interference... However the network and airport works flawlessly on my room mates laptop... sooo... Must be in my laptop.... and the same issue happens at my parents house with Wifi and up at the university....


Its a Dell Vostro 1500 with a Dell 1395 WLAN mini card.

[Shawn 357]

I used to have a similar problem with my Vostro 1500. I can't remember what really fixed it but I'm trying to remember. Are you using the Dell or Microsoft wireless software?

[porsche4life]

Dell software...

[Shawn 357]

I had made a bunch of changes all around the same time and I am not sure what exactly took care of the problem. I mainly use my laptop at home and that is where the exact problem you describe kept occurring. Here are the changes I made but keep in mind most probably had nothing to do with fixing the problem and some changes were for reasons other than trying to fix that problem:
Switched from Cox cable internet with Netgear router to AT&T router and AT&T DSL
Started only using the Dell software instead of the Microsoft software
Stopped using Internet Explorer and started using Mozilla Firefox
Installed "Cleanup" and started using it every other day or so
Switched from Norton Antivirus to AVG Free

In my case I think it was probably the Netgear router because if memory serves me right I would have to disconnect the power to the router and reconnect to get my wireless internet back up and running. I wish you luck figuring out the problem....I know that I was ready to throw away my new computer over this issue!

-Shawn

[slodave]

Try and see if the Dell SW has the ability to log. If so, do it and post some of the results.

[porsche4life]

I'm fixing to spend an hour in hell. I mean Bio lab. I'll start it logging when I get home if I can.

[Shawn 357]

To log click on the Dell SW icon on the bottom right, click the tab for diagnostics, and click log.

[porsche4life]

Ok i've got the log running... post the results in a few Dave

[slodave]

So, where is the log?

[porsche4life]

See anything?

[slodave]

Not enough info. I'd try to have Windows manage the wifi connection first.

[porsche4life]

Windows is managing... We'll see how this does for a few days...

[porsche4life]

Ok guys with windows doing the work still having the same problem... Ideas?

[madmmac]

Do you have the current drivers for the card and router?

[porsche4life]

I have the driver for the card that was installed when I bought the system from dell... The router is like 6mos old and all the drivers were installed then....


This just started in the last few months....

[slodave]

You can try to get a firmware update for the router...

Also see if there is a newer driver for the card.

[DavidI]

I followed this thread because one of my wireless desktop was having similar problems. I moved it into the same room as the router, but it still dropped the signal at approximately 10 minute intervals. The signal was strong, but it did not make any difference. I updated the firmware, allowed windows to handle the wireless, etc.

I updated from Windows XP to Windows 7 and the problem disappeared. Nothing else changed, so I presume the updated platform has magic in it.

My .02 cents, David

[Shawn 357]

I wish I had more to add but I already listed off all of the stuff I did and something fixed the problem.
-Shawn

[porsche4life]

I need to update the firmware and stuff... I just haven't gotten a chance to sit down and chase it all down...

[Joeaksa]

Do the latest updates and see what is happening. If no joy by then I would wonder if the card is overheating and needs to be replaced.