Wireless Network Connectivity Issue SPECS INSIDE Please help!

[skinnybill]

This problem has me at my wit's end so I thank you vigorously in advance for any help you might be able to provide.

First, the technical specs. My ISP is Road Runner through Time Warner with a Surfboard SB4100 cable modem. I have the above mentioned Belkin wireless router updated to the latest firmware. There are two computers that use the connection.

Mine:
Toshiba Satellite A105-S4014 w/Windows XP SP 3 and an Intel (R) 3945ABG wireless card that is factory original.

Girlfriend's:
HP Pavilion w/Windows Vista (hers is NOT having a problem so not as detailed here).

I have WPA+WPA2 PSK security enabled, channel is set on router and in my wireless settings to 11, protected mode is on, and all other settings are factory default except for things like time zone.

The problem is that I have intermittent bouts of no/low connectivity. Using an Ethernet cable during these periods results in connectivity being restored. This problem oftentimes manifests after my computer goes into screen saver mode. Disconnecting from the network and reconnecting fixes the problem. If I try to ping the router during one of these periods wirelessly it results in a time out. My wireless driver is current, power management is set to highest, and the computer is not allowed to turn the device off to save power.

I think that is all relevant information. If anything else is needed, let me know and I will provide it.

It just happened while I was making this post! Having my network connections control panel open and clicking on the Wireless Network Connection, the Details window showed that I was connected to my wireless connection!!

EDIT: Just now my girlfriend and I are both connected wirelessly and my router only shows my computer as connected on its web interface.

[techsent]

Hi skinnybill,

you may want to try changing the setting to allow the device to turn off to save power and then reboot.

*The program coders for the wireless network card may have coded the drivers to function based on the power state of the laptop. Meaning, when the ac adapter is not connected, the setting will kick in as the laptop is running on batteries. Thus, the reverse may be true when the adapter is plugged in.

Techsent