Intermittent WiFi Connection

OK, first off...I have virtually zero computer knowledge.

Secondly, I have read through the threads for about an hour trying to find a similar problem and I've been unsuccesful.

My wife and I have ATT DSL with a 2WIRE wireless router. I have been running a Sony Vaio laptop on it (model VGN-N110G) for about 6 months since we've moved in with no problems. My wife got a new Gateway laptop for xmas and when we tried to set it up to the router the passkey didn't work. So, I called ATT and had a new passkey setup...I switched the passkey on BOTH computers to the new passkey and hers works beautifuly. However, my laptop now gains a connection but it loses the connection every 10 minutes or so. I can gain a new connection by simply refreshing the available networks list, but it's becoming annoying. It is literally every 10 minutes. Does anyone have any suggestions on what might be causing this?

For some background on this problem it happened previously to the same laptop with a Linksys router a couple of years ago. I called Linksys at that time and after a few things they had me do (can't remember them to save my life) it was fixed. I called ATT hoping I'd get the same results and after HOURS on the phone with them they were unable to assist as they just assured me that the router was fine and the signal was fine. I know that...and I know the error is on my computer. It's simply some code or something that needs to be corrected. Hopefully someone can help. I appreciate any help you can provide.

Thanks,
Matt

 

Welcome to Notebook Forums, Matt!

You might need to update the firmware on your router and/or wireless adapter. Tell me the model of the router and also the model of wireless adapter. To find the wireless adapter in XP, go to Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager. In Vista, go to Control Panel > Device Manager. Once you're there, go to the Network Adapters category and tell me everything listed there.

 

My wireless router is a 2WIRE wireless router provided from ATT.

Under Network Adaptors, which I think is what you're looking for are these items:
1394 Net Adapter
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
Marvell Yukon 88E8036 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller

If you need more info, please let me know...I truly appreciate your help.

OH, and I use XP if that matters.

 

The problem you're describing is low signal.

As PCDude mentioned, updating the firmware is a good idea, but even if it's up to date, Linksys Support will tell you the first thing to do is to flash the firmware anyway (flashing is doing a firmware upgrade even with the same revision or a newer one). After that then they'll start going through the list of potential problems. You can't update or flash firmware like a driver - you have to do it within the Router Admin panel. On Linksys Routers, it's usually in the Administration setting of the Admin Panel (Administration - Firmware Upgrade)

In some cases also with XP systems, it's worth to delete the network profile you're having problems with and setup a new one.

Check the Mode setting on your Router (Wireless - Basic Wireless Settings) and make sure it's set to Mixed rather than a specific standard like Wireless B or G only. Many times with Linksys and other routers that are communicating with adapters that have multiple standard functions, setting to a specific setting will cause the signal to be lower than normal. You should only use a specific mode setting if all devices on the network are of the same standard - e.g., Wireless N, G, etc.

Set your output Standard Channel to an offset frequency as well, like channel 11. That will help it avoid any interference from local devices like cordless phones, microwaves, etc.

Linksys has good Networking Tutorials on their site - you should watch them if you're new to wireless networking and router/adapter setups and computers in general. The link to that is: http://tinyurl.com/77hsrq

 

I don't have the Linksys router anymore as ATT provides their own wireless router now. I don't have the ability to change the settings on it, or at least I don't think I do.

Also, the other laptop is receiving a perfect signal and never loses it. The signal on my VAIO is lost at exactly 10 minute intervals.