Unstable Wireless Connection

[skybolt_1]

I have an 802.11b setup at my house that I have been having trouble with ever since I got a new wireless card for my laptop. I got a Netgear WGR511 802.11b/g card, and ever since, my windows XP running laptop refuses to stay connected to the network, even though I can been in the same room as my WAP. I have tried using the configuration utility that came with the card as well as the built-in utility that comes with windows, both to no avail. I will stay connected for as little as 5 seconds to as much as 10 minutes, but inevitably, the connection will die out and have to re-scan the area for the network.

I have tried resetting the router to no avail. I have 2 other computers on the network that are working fine with no problems at all. The network is secured with 128 bit WEP encryption.

My router is an SMC 7004VWBR.

Has anyone else had this problem, or know any workarounds for this? Thanks!

[Tazman]

I don't know if this will help, but I ran into the problem with my laptop and found it to be sutting off the power to the card to save on power.

Open Device Manager, select your card and click on the Power Management Tab, uncheck the box that says "Allow to shut off power to..." box.

BTW, are the other two computers hard wired to the router or wireless? If they are wireless and not having the same problem, I would start looking at XP being the culprit on the laptop. I just love to blame XP for anything.

Mike

[ooops]

I'm afraid to say , but it's your SMC 7004VWBR.

There are 2 versions out , and SMC has a firmware update for the first one.

They haven't released an update for the second version.
I don't know which one you have , but almost everywhere I read that router is doing the same thing.

[skybolt_1]

OK, I checked to make sure that the power management was set to disable - it is. The connection is doing the same thing.

I have 2 wireless and 1 hardwire on this connection - they are all working fine. It's only been a problem on this one computer.

Here is what happens when it screws up.

1. "Wireless connection unavailable" box pops up.
2. Almost instantly, that box is replaced by a "Wireless networks detected - click here" box.
3. Even though my network is on the preferred networks, connect instantly list, I am required to select it and hit connect.
4. Everything works fine for about 4 minutes, then repeat.

ooops - I have upgraded to the latest version of the firmware - its still doing it. thanks for the tip though.

[pickel]

Have you gone into the online router setup and gone to the FAQ's and see if the connection parameters are correct??? I had to change my MTU settings when Bellsouth upgraded their server
Check your wireless settings for the correct configurations.

[sobitthen]

My winxp sp1 does the same thing with my wireless pci card. Although , even though the connection has a red x over it and says no networks are available, i can, and am doing so now, connect to the internet, microsoft says there is an error in the os, but the current fix is beta and they recommend not to dl it unless extremely necessary..lol..

they say it relates to a computer resuming from standby.. but mine does it from resuming from screensaver..

here is link..

http://support.microsoft.com/default...en-us%3B810020

[ooops]

SMC now has a firmware update available for your 7004VWBR.

Hope it works out.

I sold mine and replaced it with D-link 614+ and it stays connected 24/7.

[jbailey]

You've described precisely the same problem I've had with my Inspiron 8200 since the day it darkened my doorstep! I'm running windows XP, and have a Dell wireless router. I'm going to try the power management strategy suggested on another reply. I'll post another reply to you if it doesn't work, and I'll let you know if I find any other solutions.