Problems sending emails and downloading

I have a lovely new laptop using windows 7. I am connected to Alice Gate 2 broadband, using wi fi. The connection address is 192.168.1.1 I can browse the internet without problem but most of the time my emails do not send. It also takes ages to load messages sometimes, and with general downloading. I sometimes get an internet connectivity problem message. When it works it is very quick...sadly not often. I have tried my new laptop with other boxes and have no problems. I also can still send emails using the same box on my old laptop which uses Windows XP. I have tried disabling security and using a lan cable with the new laptop, but it doesn't help. I have also changed the Alicebox...but same story. My Italian hasn't been quite good enough to avail myself of the Alice help desk. Anyone any ideas....it's very frustrating