I've got an HP Pavilion dv6000 with Windows Vista; and it's connected via wireless to a Netgear DG834G router. I've always had a great connection and now and again it goes down to three bars, even when I'm real close to the router. For the past weeks I've been randomly losing the connection. Sometimes a few minutes into turning it on and sometimes it lasts for a while. Nothing that I can remember has changed. I'm still with PlusNet and my computer hasn't had any new things installed...

Please help! Any usual reasons why it could be dropping? Thanks

one or two things .... when computers slow down or dont work continuously thre can be many reasons:
1. It could be tha the ISP is doing maintenace or having problems
2. It could be that your router needs to be rebooted as well as the computer.
3. It could be overheating in the computer or router (are they well venilated and clean inside with no dust buildup on vents or heat sinks
4It could be virus but if you have good AV no probs
5. It could be failing componenets like memory etc but that often needs specialised equipment.
6. This sounds stupid but I had similiar problem with another wirelzss network giving a very high signal and mine trying to use that as well! Solved by telling it not to accept any other than the default network.
7. Microwaves (from cookers) can reduce signal strenth as can any metal or wire physical obstructions in hte way (bit like mobile pohones dropping out when out of range or bhind a hill etc;

Best of luck

M

It's very unlikely to be us TBH. None of the maintenance we conduct across our systems is ever likely to interfere with the connection between a customer's network card and router.

It could be interference from other wireless devices. Other electrical objects have also been known to cause interference. Are there any patterns as to when it happens? Does it always happen in the evenings for example?

You're network card/router will probably allow you to specify a channel to connect on. In the UK you should be alright using either 1, 6 or 11. You might want to try each of the two channels that are not in use to see if you see any uplift in performance.

Kind Regards,

Bob Pullen
PlusNet
http://www.plus.net

Thanks mjdodd and bobpullen.

I'm a bit IT literate myself. I discarded PlusNet as having upgrades or network maintenance because I have a desktop plugged to the same router and that doesn't lose connection. Microwaves and other appliances are out of the range between the router and laptop. I have never had a virus affect my laptop (I run AVG for viruses, ZoneAlarm as firewall and something for Spy and Malaware... all are up to date).

There are no patterns where the loss of signal is concerned. I login in the morning sometimes, and at evenings.

However I was tired of this happening and I unplugged the router (it hasn't got an off switch) from the power cable and let it reboot (i.e. left it without power for more than 5 min) and as far as I remember the connection hasn't dropped since. But this was only yesterday morning and I haven't used it that much so I'll let you know if it's fixed or if this happens again.

Also, the channel thingy rings a bell. When I asked msn to run a diagnosis of why it couldn't log me onto messenger, I think it couldn't connect to a channel or something of the sort.

I'll keep you posted and thanks for the ideas.

There could be a problem with router, or something is intefering with the router so the signals are interfering, Call the vendor and ask for support