Wireless Sporadically Can't Connect

I have a Dell Inspiron 1520 With XP, SP 2 and Intel Proset Wireless, I usually get automatic connection with my wireless access point, no problem.

But every once in a while, I get a "Problem applying profile" message that I can't seem to get past.

I tried letting Windows manage the wireless connection, and rebooted, but it didn't work either. It shows the wireless network as available, but when I try to connect I get a message that reads "Windows is unable to connect to the selected network. The network may no longer be in range. Please refresh the list of available networks and try to connect again."

I can do that all day long if I wanted to.

The thing is, eventually it will connect (at least it has in the past) but I can't figure out why. Rebooting doesn't do it, nor does resetting the router.

We're pretty rural - there's only 1 wireless network in range, and it is mine.

Any suggestions?

 

Darn. Nobody?

 

After all this time, I think I finally found the answer: http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/CS-022793.htm

Apparently it's a DEP conflict or something.

 

Well, I thought that worked, but after about an hour or so it started randomly disconnecting again. It will only reconnect if I uninstall the driver and then reboot. If anybody has any suggestions about what steps to take to troubleshoot it I'd be most grateful.

 

Have you tried going to Intel support directly to update your card drivers?
If you use Windows to control the wireless connection, have you tried deleting the Intel connection software application? (Add/Remove Programs and delete)

 

I did try to use Windows to control it, but couldn't get it to connect at all. It didn't even seem to detect my wireless network.

But I did take your advice and updated my drivers through Intel's site instead of Dells...that didn't work.

I did find this link: http://support.us.dell.com/support/...eid=R162289&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=217662 through nothing but dumb luck, and installed that fix. So far so good, but it's only been an hour or so. But I haven't had to hit "refresh" to finish loading a page since I installed it, so that's a good sign.

Fingers crossed - this might be the end of it for me.

(Rant follows: Look at that page, and tell me how a low-to-average knowledge user like me is supposed to find it? I can guarantee you that it is never presented during any of their "troubleshooting" sessions, either live or automated.)

 

Nope - this still isn't right, and I am about at the end of my limited skill set. Any suggestions or advice would most appreciated.

The new drivers plus the patch work fine until the computer falls asleep. I don't know the difference between hibernation and the other power options...but when I walk away from the laptop and come back I have to touch a key to wake the computer back up.

When that happens, my wi fi connection won't come back unless I disable and reenable the driver that is the "Intel (R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection.

If I run their diagnostics tool, it tells me that the radio is off, even though the hard switch is on. I tried switching the radio on and off, both with the hardware and the software, but even when that works, it fails to find the wireless signal that my router is sending out.

Any thoughts?

 

Possibility - http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/cs-006205.htm