Can't keep 64 bit laptop connected to router

jordjb · 03-15-2009, 01:20 PM

I've had a wireless network for some time, using a Netgear 824 router networked with my desktop (Running Windows XP) using AT&T DSL. I used the network primarily for my HP laptop which runs Vista (32 bit) and everything worked fine. Problems began when I got my wife a new Sony VAIO laptop running Vista (64 bit). She could connect to the network, but kept losing the internet connection and I'd have to disconnect and reconnect to the network router, which would reconnect OK usually, but would always lose the connection after a little while. I called AT&T and they sent me a new router/modem combination (one device for both functions). It is a 2 Wire 2701HG-B. I connected this new device and set up the network without difficulty and it seemed at first like the new laptop was staying connected, but after a day or so, the same thing started happening

. We are now back where we started, having to reset the router connection quite often due to losing the internet connectivity for the 64 bit laptop. I have no problems at all with my own 32 bit HP laptop. I've read all kinds of things online about similar difficulties with 64 bit systems losing router connections to wireless networks, exactly the same way, so I don't think it's the wireless card in the laptop. Any ideas out there on what we might do to fix this problem? Do I need to get an "N" router that is perhaps more 64 bit compatible? I'd appreciate any help anyone out there might be able to provide. Thanks.
John J.

DavidHB · 03-15-2009, 05:48 PM

On the assumption that the Sony machine is running as you bought it configured by Sony, I think we can rule out the fact that it uses a 64-bit OS as a factor. I don't know what you've read on the net, but the only issue that is specific to a 64 bit, as opposed to a 32 bit, OS is that the wireless network controller will need a compatible driver. It would be surprising, though not unheard-of, if Sony has not got that issue sussed.

As you've changed the router and the HP machine is connecting OK, the most likely candidate is the wireless network controller in the Sony. This could be an issue of hardware, driver, settings or simply the location in which you are using the Sony.

Others can help you better than I with the settings of the wireless controller. To help with the diagnostics, I suggest that, if you can, you try using the Sony with a wired connection for a while, to make sure that you are not getting dropouts in that mode.

Also, how far is the Sony from the router, and what kind of structures are there between the two? This could be a signal quality issue. Try using the Sony wirelessly close to and in line of sight of the router, and check whether the problems recur.

The other thing you can do is change the wireless channel for your network in the router configuration page; I'm not in the US, so johnwill is better placed than I am to advise on which channel you should use.

If it does come down to changing hardware, the right course might be better antennas or a new USB wireless adapter for the Sony. If you really need a faster network speed than 11g, you could consider Draft N, but I'd get your existing system working first. Anyway, the only way to get really fast networking is to use wired Ethernet, preferably gigabit, but that's probably not what you wanted to hear ...

David

03-15-2009, 01:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
jordjb Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1 OS: Windows XP	Can't keep 64 bit laptop connected to router I've had a wireless network for some time, using a Netgear 824 router networked with my desktop (Running Windows XP) using AT&T DSL. I used the network primarily for my HP laptop which runs Vista (32 bit) and everything worked fine. Problems began when I got my wife a new Sony VAIO laptop running Vista (64 bit). She could connect to the network, but kept losing the internet connection and I'd have to disconnect and reconnect to the network router, which would reconnect OK usually, but would always lose the connection after a little while. I called AT&T and they sent me a new router/modem combination (one device for both functions). It is a 2 Wire 2701HG-B. I connected this new device and set up the network without difficulty and it seemed at first like the new laptop was staying connected, but after a day or so, the same thing started happening . We are now back where we started, having to reset the router connection quite often due to losing the internet connectivity for the 64 bit laptop. I have no problems at all with my own 32 bit HP laptop. I've read all kinds of things online about similar difficulties with 64 bit systems losing router connections to wireless networks, exactly the same way, so I don't think it's the wireless card in the laptop. Any ideas out there on what we might do to fix this problem? Do I need to get an "N" router that is perhaps more 64 bit compatible? I'd appreciate any help anyone out there might be able to provide. Thanks. John J.

03-15-2009, 05:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
DavidHB Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK Posts: 151 OS: Vista x64 SP1; XP Pro; Ubuntu 8.10	Re: Can't keep 64 bit laptop connected to router On the assumption that the Sony machine is running as you bought it configured by Sony, I think we can rule out the fact that it uses a 64-bit OS as a factor. I don't know what you've read on the net, but the only issue that is specific to a 64 bit, as opposed to a 32 bit, OS is that the wireless network controller will need a compatible driver. It would be surprising, though not unheard-of, if Sony has not got that issue sussed. As you've changed the router and the HP machine is connecting OK, the most likely candidate is the wireless network controller in the Sony. This could be an issue of hardware, driver, settings or simply the location in which you are using the Sony. Others can help you better than I with the settings of the wireless controller. To help with the diagnostics, I suggest that, if you can, you try using the Sony with a wired connection for a while, to make sure that you are not getting dropouts in that mode. Also, how far is the Sony from the router, and what kind of structures are there between the two? This could be a signal quality issue. Try using the Sony wirelessly close to and in line of sight of the router, and check whether the problems recur. The other thing you can do is change the wireless channel for your network in the router configuration page; I'm not in the US, so johnwill is better placed than I am to advise on which channel you should use. If it does come down to changing hardware, the right course might be better antennas or a new USB wireless adapter for the Sony. If you really need a faster network speed than 11g, you could consider Draft N, but I'd get your existing system working first. Anyway, the only way to get really fast networking is to use wired Ethernet, preferably gigabit, but that's probably not what you wanted to hear ... David