Constant WLAN Disconnects

[Dustysniper]

I had a post below which was a different problems with not connecting to the internet at all. My problem is my WLAN just disconnects at random times after that I have to hit connect several times and it well eventually reconnect.

I would like to also point out that my brothers laptop does not have any problems with the router.

windows 7 HP 64bit

wireless card
ATHEROS AR9285 802.11 b/g/n WiFi Adapter driver version 8.0.0.316

Router
NETGEAR WNDR3400 Firmaware Version V1.0.0.38_16.0.48

 

[Maguscreed]

Are you running any bittorrent or p2p software?
My experience is many wireless routers don't like the massive number of simultaneous connections they make and will result int he type of behavior you are talking about.

If this is the case setting the client to use fewer connections may fix it.
This could also be a firewall issue since it's not affecting other machines on the network.
Kind of stabbing in the dark here as I don't know much specific about your system.

 

[Dustysniper]

What Information do you need?

No Im not running torrents or anything like that.

Im running AVG 2011 Internet Security Also.

 

[Maguscreed]

Before we get involved with this the simplest thing to start with would be to just temporarily disable the firewall altogether and see if you get a better result. (just remember to turn it back on after you finish testing)

 

[Dustysniper]

I turned my firewall off for about 30 minutes and it did cut out during that time.

I updated to the most recent version listed on the manufacturers website. 9.2.0.113 This is the version that is current for Windows 7. Now it doesnt cut out and I have to click reconnect it just cuts out for a second and reconnects randomly.

This is most noticeable when watching videos that are streaming on live streams like JTV. Or gaming which I well get dropped from games because of it. Which is annoying.


Update: I was wrong it does completely disconnect still. and I have to click reconnect.

 

[Maguscreed]

I have never personally relied on a wireless connection for gaming, in fact I went so far as to purchase a set of these

Amazon.com: Alfa 200-Mbps Ethernet Wall-plug Powerline AV Network Adapter Kit (Starter Kit - 2 Plug & Play units) - Turn your Existing Wiring and Power Outlets Into a high-speed Network Connection: Electronics

I wish I could help you more with this problem but short of assuring the software and drivers related to the previous device have been completely removed, I can't think of anything else within my own personal experience to explain your problem.

 

[Dustysniper]

I wish I had money for things like that but unfortunately I dont right now. Ive been googling this wireless card and apparently it has a very bad history with windows 7 no matter what the version. Maybe someone well come by and save me.

UPDATE: after hours of research I found the most compatible driver for the AR9285 and windows 7 its 8.0.0.316 a very old version of the driver.

Interestingly with the newest version of the driver I noticed it works if Im within 10 feet of the wireless router and I noticed the connection speed is almost double what Im getting with this version of the driver even at the same distance. Is there any reason for this? Also the newer versions of the driver works for about 1 hour if I uninstall and reinstall the driver every time it stops working. But after it stops working it stops working all together untill I uninstall and reinstall the driver. I also noticed when I am using the newest version in my room after uninstalling and reinstalling I get 5 bars while I get only 3 bars on the older version.

Also when connecting via ethernet to the router my computer well not get internet access but the ehternet cord and port is working because I hooked it up to another computer and transfered downloadable files that is how I updated to the version that I am on now.

Ill update further and probably ask more questions if this version of the driver starts to give me trouble too.

 

[Dustysniper]

2ND UPDATE: I am now back to the original problem with this driver which is the fun of the card disconnecting and having me click on connect several times before it connects to the internet again.

Also I noticed this version works fine until I do something that takes up more bandwith(is this the right term) such as gaming or watching streams or youtube videos etc. Thats when it disconnects.

 

[Maguscreed]

have you ever solved this using the windows connection trouleshooter?
And if so what error does it say it's resolving?

 

[Bill2]

2ND UPDATE: I am now back to the original problem with this driver which is the fun of the card disconnecting and having me click on connect several times before it connects to the internet again.

Also I noticed this version works fine until I do something that takes up more bandwith(is this the right term) such as gaming or watching streams or youtube videos etc. Thats when it disconnects.

Does the game disconnect or the internet connection?

 

[Dustysniper]

yes Ive tried using windows to diagnose the problem it says their is no problems.

And both disconnect the game and the internet all together. Until I click connect on my wireless card several times (it fails I click connect again and rinse and repeat until it connects to internet)

 

[Maguscreed]

Another question are you using the app or allowing windows to handle the wireless connection?
Personally I've always used the windows management as the apps that come with the cards always seem to develop some sort of problem (like randomly forgetting the dns)

 

[Bill2]

You'll need to experiment to see whats causing the issue.

1) Make sure power saving is not enabled on the wireless card.

2) Take the usual precautions like placing the router at a height, not blocking it and removing things like cordless phones from the vicinity.

3) Try different channels.

4) Tinker with the advanced config on the wifi card particularly things like roaming. This'll help.

Intel® WiFi Products — How to access and configure advanced Wi-Fi adapter settings

5) It may not be so in your case but check whether your AV and firewall may be interfering.

 

[Dustysniper]

Thanks for the quick replies guys but I am going to bed but ill check off the things Ive done. and update once I work on the others.

1) Make sure power saving is not enabled on the wireless card.

Checked Already

2) Take the usual precautions like placing the router at a height, not blocking it and removing things like cordless phones from the vicinity.

Checked Already
Also my brothers laptop which is even father away from the router is not having issues.

5) It may not be so in your case but check whether your AV and firewall may be interfering.

Checked Already
AV and Firewall both are allowing full access to my browser choices and games. And I dont see why this would be a problem if it works sometimes.

Another question are you using the app or allowing windows to handle the wireless connection?
Personally I've always used the windows management as the apps that come with the cards always seem to develop some sort of problem (like randomly forgetting the dns)

Checked
The wireless card doesnt even come with software or apps and windows is set to handle the wireless connection.

 

[Dustysniper]

4) Tinker with the advanced config on the wifi card particularly things like roaming. This'll help.

Intel® WiFi Products — How to access and configure advanced Wi-Fi adapter settings

Checked
I went through step by step by my wireless card had none of the options listed in the guide you provided except 1 which was to enable n which I now enabled. There is no option to change roaming.

 

[Dustysniper]

3) Try different channels.

Are you talking about trying different channels on my wireless card because their is no option for me to change that. If your talking about on the router their it is an option but is it really he problem if 2 other laptops have no issues with connection?

 

[Bill2]

Try changing on the router.

 

[Dustysniper]

3) Try different channels.

I tried channels 01 - 04 and still had the same problem its set on AUTO right now which was the original setting on the router. It goes up to channel 11 so ill keep trying.

I went through all 11 channels and it made no difference. The wireless card still disconnects randomly.

 

[Dustysniper]

regular internet browsing has less of a problem but as soon as I hop on a game or do anything more intensive it well cut out several times.

UPDATE: I contaced COMPAQ support and they told me to update to their version for drivers on this model so I did this also did not correct the problem.

I experimented on 8 different routers at friends houses it is consistent no matter distance or router type.

 

[Dustysniper]

anybody else got ideas?