I recently ordered a new HP laptop from Newegg (HP Pavilion dv6626us) and I've been having problems with the wireless connection. It never seems to want to connect, and when it does, it lets me on for 5 minutes and drops the signal. There are times when it isn't even getting a signal from the router, despite the fact that it should be. I have tried everything. I've restarted the laptop, restarted the router, unplugged and replugged in the router, reinstalled the drivers for the wireless card (from HP and Intel). I'm out of ideas and am really in need of help. Also, I work from two different routers (one from home and one from school) and neither works, which leads me to believe that it isn't the router. Finally, it works when wired so my assumptions are that it has to do with the wireless card.

Here are the relevant specs:
Vista Home Premium x86
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
D-Link DI-624
OR
Netgear WPN-824

If you need any other info, just ask...

PLEASE HELP!

what security is enabled on the router, WEP or WPA? You then need to much that on your wireless adapter on your comp and also use the same passcode that is used on the router at home. I suspect the school one you will need to ask either fellow student or IT. A word of warning, WEP is very poor security protocol which should immediately replaced by WPA (once you established internet connection) and using long passcode phrase

If you don't know the passcode for home router, then connect via Ethernet cable and you change it yourself (remember to use WPA and long phrase) then use the same on comp

Cudni

I think you misunderstood what I'm saying. The issue is not with the security. What I meant to say was that when security is enabled, I am completely unable to connect to the router wirelessly. However, when I disable the security, I am able to connect to it occasionally, and for a short period of time before it drops me.

Also, when I said "school" router, it's still a personal router, it's just in a different location than my home router.

Sorry for the confusion...

if the security wasn't the issue you would be able to connect with it on.

Cudni

Just a few months ago I received my first laptop. It had a wireless connection, and my first job was to setup the security in both the laptop and in the router. I know more than a bit about how to do this, but it still took me the better part of 8 hours to get it working right. You almost have to be setting right next to a desktop connected via wire to the router so you can change the routers setup, while simultaneously changing the wireless settings for the laptop. That is the easiest way. One small thing wrong in either end, and you loose the communication.

This is a common problem with Intel laptop wireless cards. First, you will need to make sure that you have the latest drivers for you Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG:
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=2259

Second, if the problem persists, go to the device manager => expand 'network adapters' => double-click 'Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG network connection' => advanced tab => set 'transmit power' and 'power management' to highest => click ok => power cycle your wireless card

If you still get disconnected, download the microsoft wireless security updates from here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893357

The last thing, make sure you have the latest firmware for your Netgear and D-Link.

cudni,

When I said that security is not the issue, I meant that I am unable to connect with and without security enabled on the signal. This said, security is not the issue.

Abu,

None of your suggestions worked. I have the latest drivers (it tells me the latest drivers are already installed). When I tried the second thing, I didn't see 'power management'. The only thing i saw that was close was 'Ad Hoc power management', but there wasn't a "highest" choice. Also, I followed the link to microsoft you provided but it said it was for XP SP2...I'm running Vista Home Premium. Finally, all the firmware for the routers are up-to-date.

Thank you for all your help

Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Also, I was unable to figure out how to power cycle my wireless card. I googled it, but all they had was how to power cycle your router and modem. How would I do this?


Thanks

At the advanced tab, there should be list under property. You will need to scroll down this list in order to find the powere management schemes. Also, to set the power to maximum, you will need to first uncheck the check box for 'default'.

Do you have a switch or button on the sides of your laptop to turn on/off the wireless card?
If not, just simply disable and then enable the Radio using the wireless icon on the tray bar.

Try the suggestions posted here:
http://itsvista.com/2007/03/itsvista-tip-47-improve-wireless-connectivity-in-vista/
http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2006/12/04/how-windows-vista-rtm-build-addresses-wireless-connectivity-issues.aspx
http://forums.techguy.org/windows-vista/648419-solved-vista-business-wireless-woes.html
http://thevistaforums.com/index.php?showtopic=9834