i continually lose my wireless connection on one of my computers ...help!

1 ANSWERS

1. Guest5497
   

   Wireless networks are great. We can check email while waiting for an airplane or simply take a laptop outside on a nice afternoon to work while enjoying the sunshine. Unfortunately, with all their benefits, wireless networks can also infuriate you at times. Disconnects can have you cursing your computer while threatening to throw it across the room into a wall. It’s even more annoying when you don’t have control over the hardware broadcasting the signal. In this article, we’ll tell you about some of the steps you can take to establish or repair a wireless connection when the only power you have over is your own laptop.
   
   
   The Network Connections window shows all the possible connection methods available to your hardware. Through this window, you can access all of the available wireless networks in your area and the properties of your network card, as well as repair your connections.
   
   Because you most likely won’t have access to the hardware at your local hotspot, you have no choice but to address the possible problems with the connection on your end, via your laptop settings. That said, there are usually just a few simple things you can take to regain your connection. In this article we walk through those procedures.
   
   
   A Word Of Caution
   
   Before you change anything, keep this in mind: Whenever you’re troubleshooting a wireless connection (or any computer-related problem, for that matter), only change one thing at a time. Unless you’re a certified networking expert, the so-called “shotgun approach” is a bad idea. Changing a half-dozen settings at once and then rebooting hardly ever works and can cause as many headaches as the outage itself. If you strategically change one thing at a time, though, you’ll quickly find out what works and what doesn’t, and it’s easier to remember the fix for the future.
   
   
   Check Your Hardware
   
   Before you even try to connect, you should make sure you’re actually capable of doing so by making sure you’ve got an 802.11b/g-capable wireless adapter. If your notebook is a newer device, chances are, you’ll be fine, but to check an external adapter, such as a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) card (or simply PC card), consult the bottom of the device or its packaging.
   
   Open the Device Manager. If you have an internal wireless card in a WinXP notebook, click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. When the System Properties window appears, click the Hardware Tab and then click the Device Manager button. In Vista, click Start, right-click Computer, select Properties, and then click Device Manager in the Tasks column. Expand the Network Adapters branch and make sure you see something to the effect of “802.11b/g WLAN.” If you do, you likely have the right hardware to access most wireless networks.
   
   After you’re sure you have the right hardware, you’ll need to set it up to communicate with the wireless network. You need to make sure that you can obtain an IP (Internet Protocol) address and a DNS (Domain Name Server) address. These are strings of numbers that identify your computer on the network and translate the IP number into a domain name on the Internet. Click Start, Control Panel, and Network Connections. This will bring up a window displaying all of the possible network connections available to your computer. Right-click the wireless network icon and select Properties.
   
   
   There are three tabs on the Wireless Network Connection Properties window. The General tab allows you to change hardware settings to access the network. The Wireless Networks tab shows you all the wireless networks that your computer is set up to access, and the Advanced tab allows you to modify your Windows firewall settings and share your Internet connection with multiple computers.
   
   Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties. Make sure the radio buttons for automatic selection of both IP address and DNS server address are selected. This tells Windows to automatically assign the appropriate numbers given to it by the wireless access point.
   
   
   Try The Repair Function
   
   Even if your network card is set up properly, signal losses can (and do) occur. If you’re using a Windows XP laptop, you have access to a repair function for wireless networks. In the Network Connections window, right-click the wireless network icon and then select Repair. This will sever the connection with your current wireless network and try to re-establish a connection, either with the current network or one with better connectivity.
   
   
   Reboot The System
   
   If the Repair function didn’t work, try one of the most common fixes for any electronic device: Reboot your machine.
   
   If for some reason you don’t want to restart your machine, cycle the power to your network card. If you’ve got an external PC card, shut it down by clicking the device’s icon in your System Tray and stopping the device. Physically remove the card and then reinstall it.
   
   If you have an internal wireless adapter, there may be a button or switch on the case of your laptop that allows you to control power to your network adapter. If you don’t have an external button, open the Network Connections window, right-click the icon labeled Wireless Network Connection, and select Disable. Your network adapter is now off. Right-click the same icon and click Enable. The network card will initialize and, hopefully, reestablish its connection with the access point.
   
   
   Check The Signal
   
   Sometimes, even though you don’t move, the network signal strength might change. Someone might be using a competing device (surveillance equipment, cordless phones, and even microwaves operate on similar frequencies), a waiter might be standing between you and your access point, or Venus and the moon might have come into proper alignment. Who knows? The bottom line is that for whatever reason, the signal isn’t what it used to be. This type of signal loss is usually accompanied by a small pop-up window from your system tray informing you that your current wireless network has limited or no connectivity. If you get this message and cycling the power doesn’t work, try physically moving to a new location.
   
   You can check the strength of your signal by bringing up the Network Connections window just like before; only this time, right-click the Wireless Network icon and select View Available Wireless Networks. This will bring up a window showing you the strength of the network to which you’re currently connected and any other available network. Simply move around the area until you find a spot with good or excellent connectivity.
   
   
   In addition to the icon with the red X, a notice pops up from your System Tray whenever Windows detects a loss in wireless service. Clicking this pop-up will give you access to tools you can use to fix the connection.
   
   Find The Best Network
   
   If you’re in a densely populated area with multiple available networks, be aware that you might not be connected to the best one. Occasionally, a network administrator will set up a certain network to be tried before all others. If this is the case, your computer might be trying to connect to it even though it doesn’t necessarily have the best signal strength, leading to intermittent connectivity.
   
   If this is the case, open the View Available Wireless Networks window to view all of the available networks. Usually, free networks have very obvious names, such as the name of the establishment you’re in. If no network name pops out at you, ask a waiter or other employee if they know which network to use. Chances are, you’re not the first person to ask that question, and the employee will either know the answer or whom to call to find out. Once you know the name of the network, select it in the Available Wireless Networks window and click Connect.
   
   
   When All Else Fails: Wait & Try Again Later
   
   There are any number of reasons you can lose network connectivity or not be able to connect at all. The tips above address some of the more common problems and simple solutions, but sometimes the network may be experiencing difficulties you can’t account for, and you’ll just have to wait for it to allow you back on. In that case, order another cup of coffee, grab a magazine, and try to avoid throwing your laptop.

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