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Wireless Keeps Disconnecting
OKAY - PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!I have been pulling my hair trying to figure out why my Dell Inspiron 1150 keeps disconnecting from the Internet while I am at home. Here is a rundown of what I am encountering:
- The Dell has a built-in Dell Wireless WLAN 1350 WLAN Mini-PCI Card with the newest drivers (just updated today).
- My router is a NetGearWGR614v3 with the newest firmware (just updated yesterday).
- I have tried factory resetting the router and this has not helped.
- I am using WEP.
- I have another Compaq laptop and it never disconnects or crashes the router.
- Any time I go to a busy webpage (like buy.com) - something crashes my router. This only happens with busy webpages with lots of graphics, etc. - which is totally weird and makes no sense to me - but, it does not happen on light pages like Google or with searches, etc. Essentially when this happens I HAVE to unplug and plug back in the router to get it to re-set and re-connect. There seems to be some type of conflict with my laptop and the router, but I have no clue what. This never "used" to happen and just started about a month ago and I have not added any new programs or changed any settings that I can recall. I have had the router for over 2 years with no issues until now with no setting changes.
- I have tried disabling Windows Zero Config and I have tried enabling it - nothing works.One more note - if I connect directly to the wireless router with a ethernet cable it works fine and I don't have any issues.
PLEASE HELP ME because this is driving me absolutely MAD! :) Thanks, in advance!
donstmary
13 Posts
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November 7th, 2005 03:00
MRF4700
1.8K Posts
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November 7th, 2005 03:00
donstmary
Okay, are the WEP configurations identical? Is the SSID name the same? Does your router recognize the WLAN card from your 1150?
When you installed the router, did it auto-configure itself? or did you configure it manually?
donstmary
13 Posts
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November 7th, 2005 05:00
donstmary
13 Posts
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November 7th, 2005 05:00
MRF4700
1.8K Posts
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November 7th, 2005 05:00
donstmary
I'd say that after 2 years of use, your wireless card has gone bad...
Is it still under warranty?
MRF4700
1.8K Posts
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November 7th, 2005 12:00
donstmary
When your laptop was hard-wired to the router, did it drop connection on those same web pages that dropped with the wireless connection?
In your 1150, the hardwire connection and the wireless connection go thru two different pieces of hadrware within the laptop.
Message Edited by MRF4700 on 11-07-2005 07:05 AM
donstmary
13 Posts
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November 8th, 2005 15:00
No - I just tested this and it does not drop the connection on those same pages, but does with the wireless card.
I understand that of course the wireless and hardwired connections are physically different, but I am baffled that the wireless works FLAWLESSLY on standard "light" webpages, but only crashes on busy webpages. This makes no sense and made me think that it might be a setting on the wireless card utility or router that I was overlooking, but I have tried EVERYTHING.
You would recommend sending the laptop back then (if under warranty)? I really didn't want to have to do this.
MRF4700
1.8K Posts
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November 9th, 2005 12:00
donstmary
If it is under warranty, you would not need to return the entire laptop. Dell will issue you a new card, after a bit of troubleshooting, free of charge. You can replace the card yourself. I'm not sure if you would even have to return the old card to Dell. If it is not under warranty, then everything would involve a charge. However, (If not under warranty) I would not recommend replacing the card at this time because, this could also be a problem with your router.
Call Dell Tech Support for status of warranty...
Message Edited by MRF4700 on 11-09-2005 06:32 AM
donstmary
13 Posts
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November 9th, 2005 15:00
Thanks for your reply.
I can replace the "built-in" wireless card. I didn't think about that. It can't be my router because I can't repro this on any other laptop or PC that I have. It has to be some issue with the built-in wireless card, but I don't know what because again, it is only on large data webpages, which is so WEIRD! :)
Thanks and I'll try replacing this part.
MRF4700
1.8K Posts
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November 9th, 2005 23:00
donstmary
A good rule in troubleshooting " NEVER SAY NEVER".
<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
donstmary
13 Posts
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November 9th, 2005 23:00
LOL - yeah you are correct!
Thanks for the link. I have a co-worker bringing in an "extra" Dell built-in wireless card that I'll try.
I appreciate all the help and I will let you know what the outcome is. Thanks again!
Don
MRF4700
1.8K Posts
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November 10th, 2005 00:00
donstmary
13 Posts
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November 11th, 2005 21:00
LtLeary
241 Posts
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November 11th, 2005 21:00
Just a thought,
Symptoms you are experiencing usually equate to one or more of the following...
1. Make sure your MTU on the WAN side is set to 1500 or to whatever the ISP is providing. Mismatches here will be more apparent on the Wireless Side than the Wired side due to both the speed and duplex settings of the hard wired side.
2. Make sure your router and card are set for "short preamble" Mismatches here or both set to long have big impacts on heavy traffic scenarios.
3. If you've checked the "statistics" and noticed a lot of errors (I think 1 or 2 more likely) then take a look at the Fragmentation threshold on both the router and card. Normally these are set at their highest level (2346) if not, set them to that value.
4.) Look at the DTIM interval. Make sure it is a 1.
5.) Take another look for interference. You may have gotten a new neighbor who has a new phone, router, or arc welder!!
6.) Keep the Windows Zero Config Off! Boot and make sure it stays off!
and finally,
7.) Make sure all wireless connections are running at the same "protocol" (i.e. 802.11 b or g.) If you don't have to support 802.11b, turn it off!
Normally, these issues don't occur, but having experienced then "back in the day" these checks just might help your heavy traffic scenarios.
OTherwise...good luck with your new Wireless Card!!!:smileyvery-happy:
LT
donstmary
13 Posts
0
November 12th, 2005 01:00
Thank you for everyone's help.
Thanks again! :smileyvery-happy: