Member Avatar for kilegoty

hello to alll and thanks for checkin this out
i am on a Dell laptop with windows vista and i have been having some weird problems with my internet connection. i recieve my internet from a wireless router on the downstairs computer. it connects to the laptop perfectly but for some reason every couple minutes or so my internet will take very long to load pages and things of the sort. it is not the connection because i had a friend brign over his laptop and it did not act that way on his. i have ran a bunch of different virus type scanning applications and all have come up with no problems. if anyone has any suggestions that would be awesome!
thanks for reading!
kilegoty

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Short summary and targeted steps (building on earlier replies from , and ): because the laptop works fine on Ethernet and another machine doesn't show the problem on the same wireless network, the symptom points to the Vista laptop’s wireless stack/settings (or local RF issues) rather than the ISP. Below are quick diagnostics you can run and safe, reversible changes to try.

Run these tests first from an elevated Command Prompt to separate loss/latency from DNS or browser issues:

ping 192.168.1.1 -t        # continuous to your router — look for timeouts
ping 8.8.8.8 -t            # continuous to internet IP — tests external reachability
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
tracert www.google.com

If pings to the router drop, the laptop→AP radio link is flaky. If router pings are stable but external pings spike, the issue is beyond the wireless hop.

Practical changes that often fix intermittent slowdowns (safe to try, and reversible):

  • Disable the vendor wireless-manager utility if one is installed and let Windows manage the WLAN. OEM utilities can conflict.
  • In Device Manager → Network adapters → {your adapter} → Properties → Power Management, uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.” Also set Wireless Adapter Settings → Power Saving Mode to Maximum Performance in Power Options.
  • In the adapter’s Advanced tab, reduce Roaming Aggressiveness and lower Transmit Power (if available).
  • Temporarily set manual DNS (e.g., 8.8.8.8) to rule out slow DNS lookups and use Resource Monitor → Network to see which process is active during slow periods.

If those don’t help: uninstall the wireless adapter (Device Manager) and reboot to force re-detection, try a cheap USB Wi‑Fi dongle to isolate the internal card, and check Event Viewer → System for WLAN disconnect logs. Be cautious when changing router settings or flashing firmware; follow vendor instructions.

Recommended Answers

All 10 Replies

Member Avatar for Dortz

What are the specs of the laptop? how much RAM, what processor, etc?

Member Avatar for kilegoty

2 gb of RAM
Dual Core - 1.73 GHz
its pratically brand new

Member Avatar for caperjack

how does it act if you hook it wired to the router .could be an issue with the quality of the Dell wireless device and it maybe dropping the connection

Member Avatar for kilegoty

i have had it directly connected to the ethernet cables at my house and at a friend's house and it doesn't do the weird connection things...
i am not sure about the wireless situation though - the computer is practically new

Member Avatar for caperjack

i am not sure about the wireless situation though - the computer is practically new

Yes but its a Dell [meano like Dell ] ,I would check there site for updated drivers for the device .or if it that new give Dell support a call and complain about you problem .

Member Avatar for ayb3rk

I had the same problems.
If you didn't have connection problem with other operation system, that mean's you are in trouble with windows vista.

But you can solve the problem as I did.

Setup Service Pack 1 of Vista and update your router's firmware.

Best Regards

Member Avatar for kilegoty

thanks a lot for the advice man
ill give it a try and let you know what turns up
can you please be more specific when you say "update your routers firmware"?
waaaay over my head man haha
thanks
kilegoty

Member Avatar for hughv

"Setup Service Pack 1 of Vista and update your router's firmware."

Sounds like good advice.
Go to your router manufacturer's site and look for a firmware update. This usually explained somewhere on the site. Basically, you just download a small file and run a program from the router web page to update.
Read carefully and it's simple.

Member Avatar for caperjack

actually most routers have a spot to click on and it will check for and install the update from within the routers setup ,

Member Avatar for ayb3rk

thanks a lot for the advice man
ill give it a try and let you know what turns up
can you please be more specific when you say "update your routers firmware"?
waaaay over my head man haha
thanks
kilegoty

If you give me the product model and name of your router, I can help you to find updates of your firmware.There must a explanation to setup also.

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