Wireless connection drops regularly

[zyk0001]

I've had my Inspiron 9300 since Christmas. A week or so ago the wireless connection started dropping about every five minutes. There's no cause for it that I can see. I run the repair connection and it will work for another five.

I have two other laptops in the household using wireless connections that are having no problems so it doesn't seem to be caused by the router.

What could be causing something like this? Any ideas? I would really appreciate any help.

Thanks,
Mike

[bmwrob]

You might try updating firmware for the router, and make sure that you're connected to your own network.

My own laptop would occasionally connect to a neighbor's network and I didn't realize what was happening. The connection was weak and would drop often. While searching for a fix, I realized what was happening and disabled that connection. My machine only connected to my own network from that point and the problem ended.

Good luck.

[chevyrulz099]

these problems people are having...

most people tend to blame the wifi card, because they figure its the problem...most times ive seen, if not all, the router has been the culprit.

wifi cards do what they are told to do, just have to tweak your options to suit your exact needs.

[msduncan]

I'm having the same problem with my new m170. I have a fairly new Linksys Wireless router. I even went and plopped down next to the router where the signal should have been 100% or close.

What happens is that it will wildly fluctuate between excellent signal and low signal... and it drops often enough that I can't even download a 250 MB file in one sitting. World of Warcraft is out of the question as it drops constantly.

I am not ready to blame the laptop yet though. But I'm not ready to say I have a bad router either since it's new and all.

What I did do was this: When I got the computer, I reformatted the hard drive and reinstalled everything. I didn't do any special setups for the wireless internet.... basically it detected it and I chose to connect to it and I was off and running.

Could I have some software settings wrong on this thing?

[msduncan]

Couple other suggestions I've gotten since posting this in a different forum:

1. update the router firmware
2. turn auto detection off
3. change the channel on the router

I'm going to try all of this tonight.

[gshocker]

This thread has some ideas that could help -

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=35663

I had problems on my M170 and ended up changing the wifi module to a non-Intel version and all the problems have stopped. Talking to Dell tech support had me sending back my unit twice and having them send out a new wifi module twice. In the end I just purchased a non Intel and problem solved.

Hope you can fix it quick.. I am sure it is anoying.

[zyk0001]

I've tried a number of suggestions and also followed the links provided. What seems to have worked for me so far is turning off Bluetooth. It hasn't been that long, but I haven't had a drop since doing it.

Mike

[V.B.]

I've tried a number of suggestions and also followed the links provided. What seems to have worked for me so far is turning off Bluetooth. It hasn't been that long, but I haven't had a drop since doing it.
If your wireless card is a Dell Truemobile, check the driver in the Device Manager. Look for "Bluetooth Collaboration" and enable it.

[zyk0001]

I have the Intel PRO 2915. I'm wondering, even if turning off Bluetooth helps in eliminating the drops, whether I'll be able to use Bluetooth from here on in. Is there something similar to the "Bluetooth Collaboration" setting for this card? I haven't been able to find it.

Thanks, Mike