I have a Dell Latitude laptop which I bought through my university in the Fall of 2002. I have had no huge problems with it but have had a few malfunctioning parts throughout the years which I have had replaced as per the deal my school has with Dell. I think I might need one more thing replaced.

 

I have used the laptop wirelessly with no problems, on the school's network, on my home network, and at my apartment, where I have used it the most. Recently, I moved to a new apartment from my old one. I set my computer up and before I had my internet connection, I began using someone from the complex's network which was unlocked. I noticed that every now and then, I would get disconnected and reconnected. It would usually be when I was idle, but sometimes I've seen it while I've been using the computer. I could see the wireless network icon have a large "x" through it, symbolizing my being offline, then the bubble reappearing saying I am connected again.

 

I assumed it was the network having the problem, since my computer has been fine using my network at my last apartment. Once my internet was connected, I had the same problems on my network. I began troubleshooting and hooked up directly to the cable modem. There was no problem here. Then I hard wired to the router: no problem. I also had my girlfriend bring over her iBook and connect wirelessly to the network and she had no problem. So, I can only assume it's my wireless card.

 

Now, I don't know too much about computers, so I went to the settings of the Wireless Card to take a look. Keep in mind I hadn't ever touched the settings of it, so I'm not sure if anything might have changed. The card is a Dell TrueMobile 1150 Series Mini PCI Card. The only settings I can see for it are that the connection uses: Client For Microsoft Networks, File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks, and Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). Under the advanced settings of configure for this device, the channel is set to default channel and Card Power Management is set to off. I tried messing with these settings, such as matching the channel to my router's, but to no avail. I assume if the Power Management is set to off, the card itself doesn't disconnect after a certain amount of time.

 

Regarding this problem, as I said, it usually occurs when I have been idle. I use AIM and can see when I have been disconnected and reconnected. From it, I have seen my computer fine from Midnight to 5 AM then disconnected three times between then and 8 AM. One time, I saw I was disconnected at 5:31:27 AM and then 6:41:27 AM: exactly an hour and ten minutes to the second later. Usually, though, the disconnections are staggered throughout the say and night.

 

Does anyone have any ideas about this? The problem is really frustrating! Thanks in advance.