Sudden loss of network connection

[Nasir]

I have been using Vista home edition on a Toshiba laptop for almost 6
months now without any issues when suddenly since last couple of weeks
I am having networking problems.

Suddenly in the middle of work the connection would be lost. I am
using wireless adapter.

So I investigated the issue but could not find anything conclusive.

When this happens I am unable to ping my router. Initially I suspected
my cable modem / router but that is fine beceuase I have another
laptop that works fine when this happens.
I tried ipconfig /release, ipconfig / renew.
It sometimes hangs OS on renew, sometimes just does not return.
Reboot always fixes the probelem, though when this problem happens
Vista does not shutdown cleanly, instead I have to hard boot the
machine.
I suspected some latest updates from MS, so I undid them but this
persists. I suspected some scheduler task that was periodically
sending MS some reports, so I removed it, still no luck.

There is no pattern also, it just strikes anytime. The only thing is
that the frequency of this occurence is increasing to 2-3 times a day,
a week ago it was once in 2 days.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Not Me]

Did you install anything before the problem started?
Windows updates with new drivers perhaps?
Have you changed the power saving settings?
On my laptop, there is a button to turn the wireless on/off. Are you
accidentally touching it?
Is it possible the wireless card is going bad?

 

[nkhan.sip]

The only thing that I can think of is the windows update, though I did
install VPN software a few days before this problem.
I have not changed power saving setting and the button for wireless is
on. Actually the wireless status shows connected to my router with
limited connectivity.
I have a strong suspicion that something may be interfering with
driver software. Is there a way to find/fix that?

Thanks