Thread: PC wireless connection drops, but laptop is fine

I have scoured the boards but can't find an explanation for this so any help out will resolve a large problem for me. My desktop computer keeps dropping its wireless connection to the router. My laptop (as well as additional devices) can hook up very well as well as never drop. It connects fine on start-up and may permit me to browse the web for a while but then drops out as well as I can't realize what triggers it.

I'm running Vista Home Premium SP1 and make use of a Netgear Rangemax USB adapter WPN111 to connect. The driver is up to date.

Any suggestions...?
Thanks

Please supply the following info, exact make and models of the equipment please.

Name of your ISP (Internet Service Provider).
Make and exact model of the broadband modem.
Make and exact model and hardware version of the router (if a separate unit).
Make and exact model and hardware version of any other network equipment, like a repeater, a booster, hi-gain antenna, etc.
Model numbers can usually be obtained from the label on the device.
Connection type, wired or wireless.
If wireless, encryption used, (none, WEP, WPA, or WPA2)
Version and patch level of Windows on all affected machines, i.e. XP (Home or Pro), SP1-SP2-SP3, Vista (Home, Business, Ultimate), etc.
The Internet Browser in use, IE, Firefox, Opera, etc.

Please give an exact description of your problem symptoms, including the exact text of any error messages.

• If you're using a wireless connection, have you tried a direct connection with a cable to see if that changes the symptoms?

• For wireless issues, have you disabled all encryption on the router to see if you can connect that way?

• For wired connection issues, have you booted in Safe Mode with Networking to see if that changes the symptoms?

• Have you connected directly to the broadband modem to see if this is a router or modem/ISP issue?

• If there are other computers on the same network, are they experiencing the same issue, or do they function normally?

On any affected computer, I'd also like to see this:

Hold the Windows key and press R, then type CMD (COMMAND for W98/WME) to open a command prompt:

Type the following commands on separate lines, following each one with the Enter key:

PING 206.190.60.37

PING yahoo.com

NBTSTAT -n

IPCONFIG /ALL

Right click in the command window and choose Select All, then hit Enter.
Paste the results in a message here.

If you are on a machine with no network connection, use a floppy, USB disk, or a CD-RW disk to transfer a text file with the information to allow pasting it here.

ISP - Sky Broadband
Router - Netgear DG934G
Wireless adapter - Netgear Rangemax USB adapter WPN111
Wireless connection using WEP
Vista Home Premium SP1
Firefox mostly

Haven't tried a wired connection as the router is 40 feet away. Have tried disabling encryption and can't connect either. Error message is (helpfully) 'wireless connection failed due to unknown reason'.

Other computers are on the same network and function normally - a laptop running Vista HP SP1, a Mac, an iPod touch, PSPs etc.

The reason for the wired connection is to eliminate a bunch of common networking issues. I'd just move the machine temporarily near the router to test a wired connection.

I imagine since it is a desktop computer that's not going to be easy to try a wired connection.

OK, moved the desktop and the wired connection works fine.