Random connection/download speed problems

[danaw167]

I have a problem that has been annoying me for some time; my laptop will suddenly, for no apparent reason, disconnect me from my network (and thus the internet) and do one of the following:

• not let me reconnect to my network; when I attempt to reconnect, it either gets stuck on trying to identify the network, or says that it can't connect, and upon running a diagnosis, it will either state that no solutions are available, or suggest that I do something (what it tells me to do is never consistent) that, when I try it, does not work
• not display the network that I was just connected to in the list of available networks; this is occasionally (but not always) followed by networks disappearing from the list until there are none left; these networks will not come back
• state that there are no wireless networks available; this often happens instantly, but sometimes comes about through a gradual loss of networks from the list

The only way for me to restore connectivity is to restart my laptop; this will always fix the problem, and restore all of the networks and my ability to connect to them. Also, there is usually a person on a laptop right next to me who is using (and was sharing) the same network without problems when I lose my connectivity. Proximity to the transmitter and connection strength do not seem to have any effect on whether or not this occurs; I have had it happen with one bar, five bars, twenty (at least, it may be farther) meters away through multiple research labs with walls of reinforced concrete, and at less than a foot from the transmitter. Again, restarting will fix everything.

Additionally, I normally get download speeds of about 600 Kb/s, but between the hours of (about) 11 pm and 6 am the speed drops by 90-95% or more, and occasionally wavers between that and a 100% drop (not downloading anything, but I still have internet connection and the download is still running, it's just not downloading anything).

Can someone please help me?

 

[seth500]

If you would could you please do the following in this tutorial and report back with your info please. Thanks
http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/144365-network-posting-tips.html

 

[danaw167]

Do I run the attached file too?

 

[Anak]

Hi danaw167, welcome to 7F
Hi seth500...

I needed more information, Is this your model?

Specifically:

Communication

Webcam
Webcam and microphone built into LCD bezel
Wireless LAN*
Wi-Fi® Wireless networking (802.11b/g/n)
Bluetooth
Bluetooth® V3.0 + EDR
Modem*
No Modem port
LAN
10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN

Here is a very good tool to find what is on your machine http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html

And it makes it easy to transfer the information.

 

[seth500]

The application flushes your dns cache and resets your host file and it's up to you if you want to run it. It wouldn't hurt...

I just downloaded that Anak very good program indeed...BTW Hi!

 

[Anak]

+rep for the Network posting link!

 

[seth500]

Cheers Anak

 

[Anak]

I hope I did not scare off dana.

I looked at the attached pixs, but could not tell if anything was out of place.
The OP has a question about running the attached file in step #3

 

[seth500]

She's back but I was wondering why there are 3 dns servers instead of 2 and the bottom 2 I would think would be her primary dns servers unless she has to have it for the school that she is at...

 

[seth500]

How many networks are you connecting too Dana? Is there more than one adapter enabled at any given time? And is it a secure connection where you have typed in a passphrase to connect to the network?

 

[danaw167]

Anak:
I...don't know if that is the right one. My control panel says that it's an x505, but some of the specs are more in line with that one (x500). I think it's an x505 that I had custom-built.

I can't find most of those things you asked for in that program. Where are they?

Edit: Oops. Well, I needed to find this info anyways. Thanks.

seth500:
I don't think I'll run it.

I don't know, the third might be needed. This actually isn't my primary connection, I'm at work right now. (I don't live here).

I'm actually a guy.

I'm connected to one network right now, and yes, it's pretty secure; you need admin approval just to see the networks here, then a personal username and password to connect.

I don't know how many adapters I have enabled...

 

[GEWB]

Hmm, I see your lease time is only four (4) hours (from chem.ucsb.edu). When it expires you would get dropped if the DHCP client doesn't automatically renew the lease. I would ask the sys admin to take a look at the access point settings.

Regards,
GEWB

 

[danaw167]

Hmm, I see your lease time is only four (4) hours (from chem.ucsb.edu). When it expires you would get dropped if the DHCP client doesn't automatically renew the lease. I would ask the sys admin to take a look at the access point settings.

Regards,
GEWB

Well, this problem is not unique to the campus, I get the same problems at home. Plus, this occurred today three (3) hours after I arrived at work, not four. I mostly get the problems at home, in fact. Usually in the evening.

Oh, and what are point access settings?

 

[seth500]

Sorry about that I guess that will teach me about guessing gender lol. Anyhow you can go into control panel and click on the network and sharing center and in the left hand pane it says change adapter settings, click on that and see if there are multiple adapters and if there are see if they are more than one enabled..

 

[seth500]

Your point access setting are basically the settings used by the router you using. Or the point at which you gain internet access. The DHCP setting should be set to automatically renew the lease when it expires if it doesn't then you lose your connection. You have to get into the router setting through a web browser by opening Firefox or IE and typing 168.192.1.1 and if the router has a password the default I believe is password and or admin to get into most routers...I don't think that is where the problem lies though. Sorry I keep getting interrupted by family members, I think you have to many wireless networks in your "manage wireless networks" in the "network connection and sharing center". See images below you should have maybe 2 at the most one for home and one for school. You can delete them all and re-setup the connections from scratch which is simple enough. Down by the clock when you come in close to an available network it will give a choice which one to connect to, choose yours and enter the pass phrase..

 

[danaw167]

Here's what my panel gives me.

On a related note, where do I put that IP address? All I get is "IE cannot display the page".

Actually, I believe that this was happening before I added a second wireless network.

 

[seth500]

First highlight your local area connection adapter and right click on it and disable it completely.

 

[danaw167]

First highlight your local area connection adapter and right click on it and disable it completely.

done

 

[seth500]

OK are you still at school or at home?

 

[danaw167]

I'm still at work, I'll be here for a while.