700m Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 drop connection problem FIX

Hi guys,

Just ran across this forum thread, I have been having the same problem with my Intel PROSet 2200 wireless connection in my 700m since I bought it from Dell Outlet last April. The connection just drops intermittently (and then immediately reconnects), I can tell this when I see the "...is now connected" message in the system tray every so often.

Perhaps what doomed me as well is that I immediately installed XP Pro on the 700m, using a Dell Dimension XP Pro SP2 disk (this can be done without having to reauthenticate Windows). This was a clean install (wiped the hard drive), and I installed all the 700m drivers myself after downloading the latest versions from the Dell support web site. I didn't really notice the dropped connections at first, figuring it was my Linksys WRT54G router (version 1), which I eventually had problems with. But after replacing my wireless router with another WRT54G, now I notice the dropped connections everywhere, so I know it isn't my router.

I have thought perhaps the problem is power-related. I have noticed occasional screen "blinks", when the 700m appears to have lost power for a fraction of a second. But I have not been able to relate those "blinks" to a dropped wireless connection, and most of the time, a dropped connection is not preceded by one of these "blinks". I also can't tell for sure if the wireless problem occurs only on batter power, it seems that it does as I use my 700m primarily on battery power (with the extended-life 8-cell battery), I will have to pay closer attention to that.

I have always used Windows to control my wireless connection, as it seems to be a bit more reliable and faster, except for these dropped connections. I am going to try Dool's recommendations, and am in the process of installing the latest Intel application and driver for the PROSet 2200 (9.0.2.3.1), we'll if that helps any and I'll try to report back with any new developments.

Well, things seem to work okay when I use the Intel software to manage the wireless connection. As far as I can tell, no more dropped connections, plus the connection is plenty fast. However, sometimes when the laptop returns from hibernation, especially after a long time, it won't reconnect and eventually I have to reboot after repeated attempts to connect to my home wireless network, even when it appears the laptop is connected using the Intel software.

 

That's why I liked it better when Windows controlled the wireless connection on the laptop, because never a problem reconnecting from hibernation or standby. So this time, as a trial, I switched back to Windows controlling things and it seemed to work okay, but I did notice the "...is now connected" message in the system tray once while the laptop was running, indicating a possible dropped connection.

 

I have switched back to the Intel software and will continue to monitor things. I have yet to see any type of "connection" message in the system tray after the laptop initially connects to the network using the Intel software, hopefully indicating it's a solid connection with no dropouts.

 

Will try to check back in with any changes/updates. Feel free to add comments and suggestions, thanks.

Ya even in the best of times, i see the "is now connected" box popping up. I don't really know what to say about it, other than the consistency of this laptop and its wireless card are dissapointing.

 

 

Hey Dool,

I talked to a friend who has a 700m, and he suggested something that may make a difference here.

 

He mentioned that the dropped connection might be power-related, that is, a by-product of the system attempting to save power. In Device Manager, you will notice under the Properties of various devices, such as the network/ethernet adapter, there is a "Power Management" tab, which offers an option to "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power".

 

When you go into the Properties of the Intel wireless adapter, there is no Power Management tab, however, on the Advanced tab under "Property:" on the left, there is a Power Management property (in a list of 10). When you highlight that, on the right you'll see a slider which allows you to have the wireless adapter save on power by moving it to the left, decreasing adapter performance, while sliding it to the right increases performance at the expense of battery life. I cranked the slider value all the way to the right (Highest), then clicked on OK at the bottom, and waited  to see what would happen. Haven't seen the "is now connected" message in the system tray since, and it's been several hours.

 

I switched back to having Windows manage the wireless connection shortly after making the above change, because it just works more smoothly and seemlessly, and also because the problem always occurred using Windows instead of the Intel application.

 

I'm not sure if this is the fix to end all fixes, but I'm willing to give up some battery life (I have the 8-cell battery, so no great loss) as long as I don't have to deal with error messages and dropped connections all the time.

 

Will update in a day or two. Keeping my fingers crossed...

I have used the Intel Pro wireless and allowed windows xp to manage the wireless card and still have the same limited connection after standby.  I now only use windows to magage the wireless connection.

 

I have updated the to latest Intel Pro 2200 from Dell, turned off windows firewall, use max power for the card.  I learned these fixes from this forum. 

 

If anyone knows of other fixes, please post.

 

Thanks in advance.