Random disconnects

[Pythene]

I'm not sure how much this actually has to do with windows 7, as it does just my connection. Basically, the problem is that my connection randomly drops (every 10 or so minutes). When I go into my browser during one of these disconnects, the webpage comes up and the connection is restored. I play online games and use messenger, and whenever these drops happen, both disconnect (or messenger disconnects and the online game laggs out until connect is restored and gives me a 21k+ ping). I have NO idea what could be causing this. I have unchecked the power management thing, but that's about it. Check system specs for information. I attempted to use the card from Newegg.com - D-Link DWA-556 IEEE 802.11n (draft)
IEEE 802.11g
IEEE 802.11b PCI Express Xtreme Desktop Adapter Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA, WPA2) - Wireless Adapters to replace my old one, which was giving me problems, but windows 7 didn't seem to find it. It tries to install default drivers, but it gives a no driver found error (which is has been doing with a lot of stuff, says something bout a line no found in the inf). Then when I try to install the drivers from the software, it appears under device manager but the card can't find any networks. Note that I'm not sure if it's a range problem, but at the end of the installation when the wizard appears, it tells me that it can't locate the card and to insert it now. I click ok (even though the card is already in, PCIe) - and then nothing really happens. It says it's working fine under the device manager and wireless adapter menus. The only thing I can think of that may be causing this is that I am using the RTM of windows 7 as opposed to the retail/OEM versions.

 

[RedBirdDad]

That adapter is a bit old but Microsoft says it's "compatible".

When you installed the adapter, did you install drivers first, or after Windows detected it? Some products must have the drivers installed prior to physically connecting it so that Windows gets the right one.

The instructions for the adapter will tell you the proper procedure.

Also, what wireless router are you using?

 

[Pythene]

The instructions tell me to remove the old adapter (did so), shut down and install new adapter, then log in and cancel any "installing device driver" screen (one came up buy failed anyway - then install the drivers from the CD (which I did, and go that error message for inserting the adapter). The router I have is Answer

 

[RedBirdDad]

Does the adapter actually work now? Does device manager see it as functioning properly?

If it looks like it's ok, take a look at the properties of the adapter and disable IPV6. Give that a try.

 

[Pythene]

Right now I'm using the old atheros one, because the new one wouldn't work. Everything says the new one works fine when it is plugged in, but It can't find any networks using the windows build in utility, or the wireless manager that came with it.

 

[chev65]

Your D-link DWA-556 only shows support for 32 bit systems so far according to the Windows 7 compatiblity advisor. Is your Op system 64 or 32 bit? This dropped connection problem is happening all the time with older hardware and drivers, especially with 64 bit systems. Your complaints are very typical for this type of problem by the way.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/Search.aspx?type=Hardware&s=D-Link%20DWA-556%20IEEE&os=64-bit

You might try downloading the latest drivers for your DWA-556 from the D-link site.
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=DWA-556&tab=3

 

[RedBirdDad]

At this point it's probably a good idea to completely uninstall both adapters. If both adapters share the same basic chipset the drivers may be conflicting.

You to get to a point where you can do a clean install of the drivers.

 

[Pythene]

Ok, I'll try that and get back with the status.

 

[Pythene]

Attempt failed

I uninstalled both, deleted drivers, downloaded the most recent drivers, and when I tried to manually install them (windows gives me a failed install when it tries to automatically do it), it fails.

I'm honestly thinking about going back to vista, not because I don't like W7, but because this computer's hardware is more meant for that XD...Just long enough for better driver support to come out for what I have. Thanks for all the help, ya'll at 7Forums

 

[RedBirdDad]

Too bad you'd have to go back to Vista because of this.

One last suggestion: Try a good registry cleaner like CCleaner to get rid of all the left over files and registry stuff from the two drivers. CCleaner has helped me out more than once.

I'm sure if you found an adapter that was specifically for W7 and had native W7 drivers you'd have better performance.

A question: Did you ever run the W7 Upgrade advisor? It's *very* good at telling you what's supported and what you'll have problems with.

My system is actually almost 4 years old yet it runs 7 better than it did XP and drivers have been a non-issue.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

BTW: If any of us helped you, a little rep would be nice.

 

[chev65]

It didn't work because router only supports 32 bit system like I already said.

By the way, I'm running systems that are more than 10 years old and they work perfectly for me using Homegroup networking.

 

[RedBirdDad]

It didn't work because router only supports 32 bit system like I already said.

By the way, I'm running systems that are more than 10 years old and they work perfectly for me using Homegroup networking.

Where did he say he running 64bit? It's not in his system spec nor in his posts. By the way, 32bit vs 64bit has nothing to do with the router. The router is an external TCP/IP device and as such has no relevance to the OS that's on any other network device.

Until he comes back and specifically states he's running 64bit, I'm not willing to conclude that's the problem.

 

[Pythene]

No, and that could be why (Apparently several posts appeared and this ended up way later than it should've - was in response to the upgrade adviser.)

I'm still deciding, but if I choose to stick it out for a while and buy a nice retail version of W7, and then clean install, do you think it'd work much better? This system was originally dual boot vista/7, then I decided to delete the vista partition. That could be causing some of the issues.

 

[RedBirdDad]

I'm willing to bet with a clean 7 install it would go a lot smoother. Just an observation.

When you deleted the Vista partition, did you wipe it?

Are you running 32bit or 64bit? chev65 asked that awhile back and I don't think that question got answered.

 

[chev65]

It didn't work because router only supports 32 bit system like I already said.

By the way, I'm running systems that are more than 10 years old and they work perfectly for me using Homegroup networking.

Where did he say he running 64bit? It's not in his system spec nor in his posts. By the way, 32bit vs 64bit has nothing to do with the router. The router is an external TCP/IP device and as such has no relevance to the OS that's on any other network device.

Until he comes back and specifically states he's running 64bit, I'm not willing to conclude that's the problem.

I've been doing this a good long time, you havn't., I have already seen many 64 bit systems fail to work unless the router was supported for 64 bit. It's that simple, it happens all the time. NOw if you don't mind I would like to stick with my line of questioning. And you can stick to yours. Fair enough?

Your theorys on this are not correct as you seem to think. And I do not appreciate you derailing my post at all.

And as you noticed the Op seems to have problems with simple questions which I asked 4 posts ago.

Pythen, Please answer this most obvious question of them all, is your system 64 or 32 bit?

 

[Pythene]

If "wipe" means formatting and merging it with the seven partition, then yes. I was originally just wanting to test W7 and didn't split a large amount of storage to its partition, but ended up liking it so much I rid myself of vista and merged to recover hard drive space


64-bit - System spec doesn't say under manufacturer/Model number, but says under OS (Windows 7 Professional x64)

 

[chev65]

If "wipe" means formatting and merging it with the seven partition, then yes. I was originally just wanting to test W7 and didn't split a large amount of storage to its partition, but ended up liking it so much I rid myself of vista and merged to recover hard drive space

I've done that same thing a few times and never had any networking problems what so ever.

 

[chev65]

If "wipe" means formatting and merging it with the seven partition, then yes. I was originally just wanting to test W7 and didn't split a large amount of storage to its partition, but ended up liking it so much I rid myself of vista and merged to recover hard drive space


64-bit - System spec doesn't say under manufacturer/Model number, but says under OS (Windows 7 Professional x64)

Well there you have it, unfortuneatly your PCI router has ZERO Windows 7 64 BIT support. Suggest you try another Windows 7 compatible router or purchase another one that has 64 bit Windows 7 support.

I have seen this same problem come up countless times. If your router isn't on the list for 64 bit Windows 7 support then the odds are extremely high that it will not work.

Just look here, there is no support. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/windows-7/en-us/Search.aspx?type=Hardware&s=D-Link%20DWA-556%20IEEE&os=64-bit

This has already been proven true on many occasions right here in this forum.

 

[RedBirdDad]

It didn't work because router only supports 32 bit system like I already said.

By the way, I'm running systems that are more than 10 years old and they work perfectly for me using Homegroup networking.

Where did he say he running 64bit? It's not in his system spec nor in his posts. By the way, 32bit vs 64bit has nothing to do with the router. The router is an external TCP/IP device and as such has no relevance to the OS that's on any other network device.

Until he comes back and specifically states he's running 64bit, I'm not willing to conclude that's the problem.

I've been doing this a good long time, you havn't., I have already seen many 64 bit systems fail to work unless the router was supported for 64 bit. It's that simple, it happens all the time. NOw if you don't mind I would like to stick with my line of questioning. And you can stick to yours. Fair enough?

Your theorys on this are not correct as you seem to think.

And as you noticed the Op seems to have problems with simple questions which I asked 4 posts ago.

Pythen, Please answer this most obvious question of them all, is your system 64 or 32 bit?

chev65: Let's not get personal here. This is a technical forum discussing a technical issue. I do not wish to get into an argument with you. You DO NOT know my background nor my experience. You may be very surprised. I don't question your skill or experience so please do not question mine.

 

[chev65]

Where did he say he running 64bit? It's not in his system spec nor in his posts. By the way, 32bit vs 64bit has nothing to do with the router. The router is an external TCP/IP device and as such has no relevance to the OS that's on any other network device.

Until he comes back and specifically states he's running 64bit, I'm not willing to conclude that's the problem.

I've been doing this a good long time, you havn't., I have already seen many 64 bit systems fail to work unless the router was supported for 64 bit. It's that simple, it happens all the time. NOw if you don't mind I would like to stick with my line of questioning. And you can stick to yours. Fair enough?

Your theorys on this are not correct as you seem to think.

And as you noticed the Op seems to have problems with simple questions which I asked 4 posts ago.

Pythen, Please answer this most obvious question of them all, is your system 64 or 32 bit?

chev65: Let's not get personal here. This is a technical forum discussing a technical issue. I do not wish to get into an argument with you. You DO NOT know my background nor my experience. You may be very surprised. I don't question your skill or experience so please do not question mine.

Oh were far from being personal. Your the one that questioned me remember? I do know that you attempted to derail a perfectly good line of questioning that has already worked countless times.

My point was that you havn't been here long enough to know that if there is no 64 bit support it most likely will not work properly. I have already done this about twenty times when there was no 64 bit support and the problem was fixed with a router upgrade, plain and simple.

I already have a pretty good track record here and I would appreciate if you do not derail my line of questioning in the future.