That's ok. Let's see if we can eliminate this first...

Let's make sure that Windows isn't trying to control your wireless card along with the software that came with it. I'm not sure what wireless card your using (i'm assuming a Linksys); mine is a Truemobile 1450 in an Inspiron 5150. So i'll try to use this as a reference. To get to that particular option:

• Double click on the wireless 'icon' (mines just the wireless signal meter), in the right hand corner of the "task bar".
• Make sure your wireless network is hightlight, then click "Advanced".
• Under "Wireless Networks", check "Let this tool manage your wireless settings."
• Click "Ok".

I know your wireless card is different than mine, i'm just posting this to give you an idea. What that option is doing, is turning off "Windows Zero Configuration", or WZC, for the wireless adapter. Check out your wireless adapter's options and make sure that both the utilities that came with it, and windws aren't fighting for 'control'; that can get pretty messy.

Also, check the IP Address range (or gateway) for both your router and modem. Make sure the address ranges don't overlap. That can cause radom internet connection freeze ups.

Make sure your system is 'clean' from any know 'baddie' software like viruses/trojans/malware. Some of these can cause great 'grief' for your internect connection, if present.

Mike.

Well I dont know too much about wireless networks... But I can tell you that the modem was purchased through our cable company... attached to that we have a wireless router from linksys... wireless B i believe... and then i have a wireless card in my room... I dont think I know much more than that... but any help you can give me would be great, thanks!

-Danni

Here's how i'd check a Linksys WRT54g:

• Go into your router's configuration.
• In "Setup", look at the "Local IP Address", this is the IP address that's assigned to the router. If your modem has the same address, a comflict will occur between the two
• Next, look at the "Starting IP Address". This is the first IP address that will be assigned to a computer that is connected to the router (the first computer that boots up).
• Next, look at "Maxiumu Number of DHCP Users". This number is added to "Starting IP Address", defining a range of addresses assigned to all computers connected to the router; your LocalAreaNetwork.

In this example, the routers:

• Local IP Address = 192.168.0.1. This is also called the 'gateway' address for the router.
• Starting IP Address = 192.168.0.100. This is the first IP Address assigned to the first computer to boot up, that's connected to the router.
• Maximum Number of DHCP Users = 10. This is the maximum allowed computers to be 'online' at any given time. If you have two computers that are on constantly, one desktop, the other a wireless laptop. Setting this to two will insure that your wireless router will not allow any more connections from other 'rogue' computers.

So the IP Addresses available for all the connected computers would be ("Starting IP Address" + "Maximum Number of DHCP Users") - 1. Or ...  (192.168.0.100 + 10) - 1 = 192.168.0.109, or 192.168.0.100 thru 182.168.0.109.

If the modem's "Local IP Address", or 'gateway' address falls into this range, a conflict will also occur. I have my router's "Local IP Address" to a 10.0.x.x range, and my dsl modem's set to a 192.168.x.x range; this completely avoids any conflicts between the two. That way, any computer going through the router will have a 10.0.x.x IP address assigned to it, and the router will have a 192.168.x.x IP address assigned to it by the modem. 

I hope that helps you to understand routers a little better. They can be confusing beasts at best, but once you get to know them, you'll quickly say ... "they're really quite simple".

Mike.