Laptop Randomly Dropping Wireless Connection

[Vicenarian]

Ok, so I have a customer with a laptop that keeps dropping its wifi connection every few minutes or so (randomly more or less) and then requires repairing. It's running Windows XP.

I tried installing an external USB wifi adapter and disabling the internal card, but it still does the same thing. Other laptops connecting to the router don't have this issue, so I'm almost positive it's the laptop itself.

Apart from trying this Microsoft fix:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/910387

What else could it be? I'm guessing it MIGHT be security software or something related, but don't have many other ideas right now.

 

[d3v]

This has to be one of the most annoying problems we come across.
Have you tried booting to a liveCD and checking if the wifi card maintains a reliable connection. That would rule out operating system.

If I remember correctly I usually find the cause of this type of problem to be poorly configured operating systems with multiple security software suites and poorly configured routers.

 

[Larry Sabo]

I've had D-Link routers do that if set up for mixed mode (b/g) if they didn't have the latest firmware. Set the router to fixed mode and see if it makes any difference. I assume you checked both adapter setting to not let Windows power them down when idle to conserve energy. Also try another channel. Are there other strong wireless network signals competing, and any portable phones nearby?

 

[d3v]

I've had D-Link routers do that if set up for mixed mode (b/g) if they didn't have the latest firmware. Set the router to fixed mode and see if it makes any difference. I assume you checked both adapter setting to not let Windows power them down when idle to conserve energy. Also try another channel. Are there other strong wireless network signals competing, and any portable phones nearby?

Good advice here, all these little tweaks have remedied this problem for me in the past.

 

[thun]

i agree

the live cd is a great tip gives you tons of info to move forward

 

[7Digits]

I assume you checked both adapter setting to not let Windows power them down when idle to conserve energy.

I was going to suggest the same thing.