Faulty Wireless Connection

Hi

I am posting here because I believe my problem is caused by hardware; please redirect me if after reading this you think my problem is more likely to be software based.

I am having a problem with my wireless Internet connection. I connect to the Internet using a Cisco-Linksys Wireless-G Home Gateway Model No. WAG200G. My Internet Service Provider is Utilities UK Ltd trading as Direct Save Telecom.

I have two microcomputers connected to the Internet via the above named router.

One of them is a desktop computer (model: all I know it is manufactured by MEDION (not even Belarc Advisor cannot give any more details; operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 (build 2600)), which uses a Cisco-Linksys Compact Wireless-G USB Adapter (model no. WUSB54GC-EU).

The other one is a laptop computer (model: Acer Aspire 5920; operating system: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 2 (build 6002)), which has its own in-built wireless adapter (Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection).

It is my laptop computer’s connection to the Internet that is giving me problems. When I’m using the Net it can just drop the Internet. If I wait a few minutes it picks it up again. It does it regularly; it is not an intermittent fault. I am assuming that it is a fault with my laptop or its wireless adapter. I’ve reached this conclusion for two reasons (1) my desktop computer never has this problem; (2) I’ve asked family and friends with wireless Internet and they don’t experience this problem.

My problem is that I don’t know what diagnoses to carry out to discover the problem and I don’t know what fix(es) it might need.

Anyone with any ideas or solutions, please?

Thanks very much

Mark

 

This may be a possibility.
http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/cs-006205.htm

 

Thanks for that. The link you gave me gives the following instructions:

"Use Intel® PROSet/Wireless WiFi Connection Utility to Set CAM

1. Click Advanced > Adapter Settings > Advanced tab.
2. Select Power Management and uncheck Default / Auto and move the slider to Highest / Maximum Performance.

If the slider is already at Highest / Maximum Performance, move the slider to another setting and then back to Highest / Maximum Performance." (The quotation marks are mine.)

But it doesn't say where to start from. Click Advanced where? Do you know where they are expecting me to start from?

Thanks

Mark

 

Intel® PROSet/Wireless WiFi Connection Utility is a program that should be listed in "All Programs" when you click on the Start orb. If it does not happen to be installed, go to the second part of the work around. Click Start orb and Control Panel to get to network connections and follow the instructions. Same effect is achieved with either work around.

 

No, I'm afraid that doesn't provide any solution. Either I am incredibly stupid or the instructions are not clear.

I have tried to access the Intel by the two alternative methods that you suggested plus I have tried through Device Manager. There is no where that I can do: Click Advanced > Adapter Settings > Advanced tab.
2. Select Power Management and uncheck Default / Auto and move the slider to Highest / Maximum Performance.

 

Ignore the Proset utility.
Go to Start, Control Panel, Network Connections, right click your wireless connection, choose properties, configure button and Advanced tab from there. (I'm on an XP machine right now, the steps should be similar for Vista.)

 

It doesn't appear to work that way in Vista

 

My apologies mark59.
Start Orb > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Beside Wireless Connection click "View Status" > Click on Properties (bottom left corner) (You may need to OK a UAC prompt) > Configure button > Advanced Tab > Check the Properties for Power Saving Modes. Either disable or use High Performance or CAM (something to that effect).

 

Thanks lbmest, I'm keeping my fingers, and everything else, crossed but your solution seems to be working for now.