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    Network connectivity strange problem

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by techmarinechris88, Jan 14, 2012.

  1. techmarinechris88

    techmarinechris88 Newbie

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    I have an Alienware M14x with a Core-i7 2630QM, 8GB RAM, 750GB hard drive, 3GB 555M graphics card... the problem lies elsewhere, though.

    Once in a while I start having some annoying connectivity problems. First, Windows Live Messenger keeps signing off every couple of minutes, then my internet connection is completely lost and neither web browser nor skype works.

    The problem is isolated to the M14x, since the custom-built desktop I use as a backup doesn't lose connection. None of the usual troubleshooting steps restore it, and when I called the internet company they pinged my laptop and told me that the ping was incredibly high. After a certain amount of time passes, the problem just goes away.

    I don't understand what causes the problem in the first place. All I can tell you is that the same problem presented itself, albeit less frequently, on my old laptop, and the programs running on it that utilise the web the most are Messenger, Firefox, Steam and Skype.
     
    techmarinechris88, Jan 14, 2012
    #1
  2. CGSDR

    CGSDR Alien Master Race

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    Try reinstall the Network card driver found at Dell Driver and Download page. Oh btw what network card do you have?
     
    CGSDR, Jan 14, 2012
    #2
  3. moogleassassin

    moogleassassin Notebook Consultant

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    are you running on wireless or wired connection to your local router?

    I'm also seeing dropouts when using the Intel 6205 wireless adapter. Its actually quite bad, making it almost unusable when on the wireless, using a quick pathping I can see that I am getting approx 10% packet loss and intermittent dropouts lasting 5-8 seconds before it magically starts working again.

    If I connect to 3G it works perfectly, if I use a wired connection it works perfectly - reconnect to wireless and the same thing. But I know it isn't the wireless as I have three other laptops and a couple of mobile phones connected to the same wireless network and they are all perfect. I have sat them all next to the M14x each running continuous pings and the only one to have a problem is the M14x.

    I have used the default Dell driver and also grabbed the latest Intel driver off the Intel website (14.3.0.6) but its the same with both.

    Am just about to open the laptop up and re-seat the wireless aerials...

    anyone else seeing this? Using YouTube is a good way to trigger it. Setup a continuous ping by opening a command line window and typing:

    ping Google -t

    then browse to youtube and watch/load/etc. Let me know if anyone else is seeing this on the Intel 6205 adapter.

    Cheers
     
    moogleassassin, Jan 15, 2012
    #3
  4. techmarinechris88

    techmarinechris88 Newbie

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    I've got it connected through ethernet. The wired connection always presents this problem while the wireless always works fine.

    I'll give that stuff a try and let ya know how it works out.
     
    techmarinechris88, Jan 15, 2012
    #4