do I need a new wireless card? constant disconnects...

battlescribe · 06-21-2009, 08:20 PM

I have a Netgear WG111T card for my Inspiron 1100. It worked fine (basically) until my laptop crashed and needed to be repaired - ever since then it's been wonky. I get kicked offline constantly and have to click the "repair" option - often, I get the error message that it can't renew my IP address or can't find the network address. Other times, Windows repairs the connection fine, only to be kicked off again in a few minutes. Sorry if this is vague - I am not technical in the least and my friend configured the wireless for me...

Perhaps it's something physical...? My wireless card is bent. Thoughts?

ETA: I have a Netgear router

fej2008 · 06-21-2009, 08:42 PM

Try checking EMI's first like is you modem on a carpeted floor, near lava lamp, microwave, wireless phones/devices.

You're dropping your connection and your losing your IP address that's why windows can't repair it. What make/model of the modem you're using? Did you notice any red light on the modem everytime you're being kicked off? If yes possible ISP problem.

You can also go to start>run>cmd>type ipconfig /all

And look for your IP address. Normally IP starts with 192.168.x.x if you're connected and if not it'll turn to either 169.254.x.x or 0.0.0.0

Please post the actual IP's you have while connected and when not connected. Tell us also if you have any other computer connected to the router and if it experience the same problem or not so that we can narrow down your problem.

**lorjack** · 06-21-2009, 10:34 PM

Reinstall the drivers for the card. Make sure that they are the latest available.

battlescribe · 06-22-2009, 08:03 AM

Thank you all for your responses. Lorjack, I did uninstall the driver and reinstall the latest version - unfortunately, it didn't help.

The problem seems to be related to proximity - if I am closer to the router, the disconnections are fewer and farther between. But that kind of defeats the purpose of having wireless - I need to be in other rooms with it. And it did not used to be that picky about my proximity - it worked anywhere in the house before.

fej2008, the router is Netgear, model WGT624, IP address is 00-IF-33-CF-77-0E. My wireless IP addy is the same ...but there is a note on my computer from when the router was first set up that says the router's IP is 10.0.0.1 - maybe that's the not connected one (I didn't know there were different ones...ahem).

Thanks for your patience - I am so clueless about this stuff.

**lorjack** · 06-22-2009, 07:48 PM

Some things you can try:

1. Change the wireless channel
2. Disable encryption
3. Move the router or computer
4. Reset the router and reconfigure
5. Update the firmware on the router
6. Connect with a wire, see if you get disconnected

battlescribe · 06-23-2009, 06:13 AM

Thanks - I will see what I can do with some of those suggestions. I don't know how to do 2, 4, or 5 so I will be googling them first.

I will try changing the channel, and maybe moving the router and resetting it. I agree about connecting with a wire - I have done that in the past but not for very long. I will try connecting it directly to the router for a long time today.

I really appreciate the help.

I should mention that this problem developed after having my laptop repaired - due to age, the hard drive just had "bad" spots and all my data had to be moved to "good" areas of the HD. Since then, it's been wonky with the wireless.

And nix the proximity bit - that fell apart last night when it didn't matter how close to the router I was. I am beginning to think it's my ISP...

06-21-2009, 08:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
battlescribe Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 3 OS: XP	do I need a new wireless card? constant disconnects... I have a Netgear WG111T card for my Inspiron 1100. It worked fine (basically) until my laptop crashed and needed to be repaired - ever since then it's been wonky. I get kicked offline constantly and have to click the "repair" option - often, I get the error message that it can't renew my IP address or can't find the network address. Other times, Windows repairs the connection fine, only to be kicked off again in a few minutes. Sorry if this is vague - I am not technical in the least and my friend configured the wireless for me... Perhaps it's something physical...? My wireless card is bent. Thoughts? ETA: I have a Netgear router Last edited by battlescribe; 06-21-2009 at 08:23 PM.

06-21-2009, 08:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
fej2008 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 263 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: do I need a new wireless card? constant disconnects... Try checking EMI's first like is you modem on a carpeted floor, near lava lamp, microwave, wireless phones/devices. You're dropping your connection and your losing your IP address that's why windows can't repair it. What make/model of the modem you're using? Did you notice any red light on the modem everytime you're being kicked off? If yes possible ISP problem. You can also go to start>run>cmd>type ipconfig /all And look for your IP address. Normally IP starts with 192.168.x.x if you're connected and if not it'll turn to either 169.254.x.x or 0.0.0.0 Please post the actual IP's you have while connected and when not connected. Tell us also if you have any other computer connected to the router and if it experience the same problem or not so that we can narrow down your problem.

06-21-2009, 10:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
lorjack TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 2,205 OS: Windows 2K, XP Pro sp3, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Ubuntu	Re: do I need a new wireless card? constant disconnects... Reinstall the drivers for the card. Make sure that they are the latest available. __________________ Those who can't write, write manuals. Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you...

06-22-2009, 08:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
battlescribe Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: do I need a new wireless card? constant disconnects... Thank you all for your responses. Lorjack, I did uninstall the driver and reinstall the latest version - unfortunately, it didn't help. The problem seems to be related to proximity - if I am closer to the router, the disconnections are fewer and farther between. But that kind of defeats the purpose of having wireless - I need to be in other rooms with it. And it did not used to be that picky about my proximity - it worked anywhere in the house before. fej2008, the router is Netgear, model WGT624, IP address is 00-IF-33-CF-77-0E. My wireless IP addy is the same ...but there is a note on my computer from when the router was first set up that says the router's IP is 10.0.0.1 - maybe that's the not connected one (I didn't know there were different ones...ahem). Thanks for your patience - I am so clueless about this stuff.

06-22-2009, 07:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
lorjack TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 2,205 OS: Windows 2K, XP Pro sp3, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Ubuntu	Re: do I need a new wireless card? constant disconnects... Some things you can try: 1. Change the wireless channel 2. Disable encryption 3. Move the router or computer 4. Reset the router and reconfigure 5. Update the firmware on the router 6. Connect with a wire, see if you get disconnected __________________ Those who can't write, write manuals. Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you...

06-23-2009, 06:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
battlescribe Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: do I need a new wireless card? constant disconnects... Thanks - I will see what I can do with some of those suggestions. I don't know how to do 2, 4, or 5 so I will be googling them first. I will try changing the channel, and maybe moving the router and resetting it. I agree about connecting with a wire - I have done that in the past but not for very long. I will try connecting it directly to the router for a long time today. I really appreciate the help. I should mention that this problem developed after having my laptop repaired - due to age, the hard drive just had "bad" spots and all my data had to be moved to "good" areas of the HD. Since then, it's been wonky with the wireless. And nix the proximity bit - that fell apart last night when it didn't matter how close to the router I was. I am beginning to think it's my ISP...