I can reproduce this all day long

S

SteveO

I recently purchased a Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop for my daughters Grad
and cannot maintain a connection with my Linksys WRT54G for more than
a few minutes. Network sharing center shows the connection
disappearing and then it retries to connect. Sometimes it's
successful, other times I have to boot.

The best minds at Dell support have been unable to help in any way,
and apparently because the 30 days have elapsed since the purchase (27
of which the laptop was gift-wrapped and hidden in my closet), Dell
refuses to consider my offer to exchange my Vista Home Premium license
for a Windows XP license

Please let me know what I can do to help trace this problem. I was
about to install a copy of Windows XP Pro that I have in an attempt to
fix the laptop, but I would prefer to get the Vista problem solved.

Thanks,
Steve
 
C

Chuck [MVP]

I recently purchased a Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop for my daughters Grad
and cannot maintain a connection with my Linksys WRT54G for more than
a few minutes. Network sharing center shows the connection
disappearing and then it retries to connect. Sometimes it's
successful, other times I have to boot.

The best minds at Dell support have been unable to help in any way,
and apparently because the 30 days have elapsed since the purchase (27
of which the laptop was gift-wrapped and hidden in my closet), Dell
refuses to consider my offer to exchange my Vista Home Premium license
for a Windows XP license

Please let me know what I can do to help trace this problem. I was
about to install a copy of Windows XP Pro that I have in an attempt to
fix the laptop, but I would prefer to get the Vista problem solved.

Thanks,
Steve
Click to expand...

Steve,

What's in the neighbourhood, and what signal strength are you getting? Measure
objectively please.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/06/analyse-your-wifi-environment.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/06/analyse-your-wifi-environment.html

What WiFi Client are you running? Only run one.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/stabilise-your-wifi-use-only-one-wifi.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/stabilise-your-wifi-use-only-one-wifi.html

Since you've been talking to Dell, did they make sure that you have the most
current drivers?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/driver-updates-from-microsoft-please.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/driver-updates-from-microsoft-please.html

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.
 
R

Robert L [MVP - Networking]

If disabling the wireless security, can you have a good connection? Or this link may help,

Vista Wireless IssuesPost Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:26 am Post subject: Vista: Wireless connectivity issue ... The wireless connection may drop when you use battery power. ...
http://www.chicagotech.net/vista/vistawireless.htm


Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
I recently purchased a Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop for my daughters Grad
and cannot maintain a connection with my Linksys WRT54G for more than
a few minutes. Network sharing center shows the connection
disappearing and then it retries to connect. Sometimes it's
successful, other times I have to boot.

The best minds at Dell support have been unable to help in any way,
and apparently because the 30 days have elapsed since the purchase (27
of which the laptop was gift-wrapped and hidden in my closet), Dell
refuses to consider my offer to exchange my Vista Home Premium license
for a Windows XP license

Please let me know what I can do to help trace this problem. I was
about to install a copy of Windows XP Pro that I have in an attempt to
fix the laptop, but I would prefer to get the Vista problem solved.

Thanks,
Steve
 
B

Barb Bowman

Intel 3945 wireless?
If yes, there are lots of folks with issues with this NIC.

try this
http://support.us.dell.com/support/...eid=R152679&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=203417

I recently purchased a Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop for my daughters Grad
and cannot maintain a connection with my Linksys WRT54G for more than
a few minutes. Network sharing center shows the connection
disappearing and then it retries to connect. Sometimes it's
successful, other times I have to boot.

The best minds at Dell support have been unable to help in any way,
and apparently because the 30 days have elapsed since the purchase (27
of which the laptop was gift-wrapped and hidden in my closet), Dell
refuses to consider my offer to exchange my Vista Home Premium license
for a Windows XP license

Please let me know what I can do to help trace this problem. I was
about to install a copy of Windows XP Pro that I have in an attempt to
fix the laptop, but I would prefer to get the Vista problem solved.

Thanks,
Steve
Click to expand...
--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
 
S

Steve Smith

Comments inline below:
What's in the neighbourhood, and what signal strength are you getting?
Measure
objectively please.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/06/analyse-your-wifi-environment.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/06/analyse-your-wifi-environment.html
Click to expand...

I have a 2 yr old Inspiron 1600 running XP Home with Wireless and it has
worked flawlessly since the day I bought it. I also have a Nintendo Wii and
a Linksys Media Center extender - same thing - absolutely no problem with
wireless after it is configured. The dialogs in Vista show 5 green bars. I
have no trouble getting a connection, just maintaining it.
What WiFi Client are you running? Only run one.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/stabilise-your-wifi-use-only-one-wifi.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/stabilise-your-wifi-use-only-one-wifi.html
Click to expand...

I believe the laptop uses a Dell 1390 WLAN minicard - so whatever ships with
their Vista Home Premium config

Since you've been talking to Dell, did they make sure that you have the
most
current drivers?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/driver-updates-from-microsoft-please.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/driver-updates-from-microsoft-please.html
Click to expand...

Yes, we did update the driver to the latest version, and I even obtained
hotfix Q935222 again to no avail.
 
S

Steve Smith

haven't tried that yet, but will try later as a test and report back

I did try configuring a static IP and setting the ArpRetryCount registry value to 0 (both suggested in other postings in various blogs and newsgroups).



If disabling the wireless security, can you have a good connection? Or this link may help,

Vista Wireless Issues Post Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:26 am Post subject: Vista: Wireless connectivity issue ... The wireless connection may drop when you use battery power. ...
http://www.chicagotech.net/vista/vistawireless.htm


Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
I recently purchased a Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop for my daughters Grad
and cannot maintain a connection with my Linksys WRT54G for more than
a few minutes. Network sharing center shows the connection
disappearing and then it retries to connect. Sometimes it's
successful, other times I have to boot.

The best minds at Dell support have been unable to help in any way,
and apparently because the 30 days have elapsed since the purchase (27
of which the laptop was gift-wrapped and hidden in my closet), Dell
refuses to consider my offer to exchange my Vista Home Premium license
for a Windows XP license

Please let me know what I can do to help trace this problem. I was
about to install a copy of Windows XP Pro that I have in an attempt to
fix the laptop, but I would prefer to get the Vista problem solved.

Thanks,
Steve
 
S

SteveO

Tonight I used the brand new 3.1 version of Netmon to capture the
event.

I have a 16 MB capture showing the connection to the wireless network,
working briefly (< 2 minutes), then it freezes, and ultimately drops
the connection and reconnects (but the connection will still not
transfer any data via the web)

If anyone at Microsoft is monitoring this post and is interested in
reviewing my capture, if you set up a workspace and forward the
details to me I will upload the file.

Thanks
Steve Smith
 
S

Steve Smith

Done. Latest firmware and WLAN adapter drivers are installed.
Check if the Linksys and wireless adapter have a new driver or firmware. Or this post may help,

Frequently unable to get an IP via DHCP with Vista
http://www.chicagotech.net/netforums/viewtopic.php?t=974

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
Disabled network security - no difference.
 
C

Chuck [MVP]

Comments inline below:


I have a 2 yr old Inspiron 1600 running XP Home with Wireless and it has
worked flawlessly since the day I bought it. I also have a Nintendo Wii and
a Linksys Media Center extender - same thing - absolutely no problem with
wireless after it is configured. The dialogs in Vista show 5 green bars. I
have no trouble getting a connection, just maintaining it.


I believe the laptop uses a Dell 1390 WLAN minicard - so whatever ships with
their Vista Home Premium config
Click to expand...

I can't say for Dell, but my HP shipped with 3 WiFi Clients - Windows WZC, HP
(laptop vendor), and Intel (WiFi card vendor). You'll have detective work - but
multiple clients will cause instability like what you're describing.

Now a display that shows 5 green bars probably shows signal strength. Signal to
noise, and adjacent channel signal can also affect signal stability. Depending
upon the hardware, drivers, and WiFi client, this can be critical.

So if you have another computer, which shows no problems, using the same WiFi
LAN, the problem likely isn't the WiFi LAN by itself. But it could be a
combination of problems acting together.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/wifi-will-never-be-as-fast-as-ethernet.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/10/wifi-will-never-be-as-fast-as-ethernet.html
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/search/label/WiFi Troubleshooting?max-results=100>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/search/label/WiFi Troubleshooting?max-results=100

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.
 
S

Steve Smith

Just to wrap up this thread - after 8 days of attempting to debug, the tech
at Dell had me remove the keyboard, reseat the Dell Wireless LAN minicard
and now everything is working perfectly!


Chuck said:
I recently purchased a Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop for my daughters Grad
and cannot maintain a connection with my Linksys WRT54G for more than
a few minutes. Network sharing center shows the connection
disappearing and then it retries to connect. Sometimes it's
successful, other times I have to boot.

The best minds at Dell support have been unable to help in any way,
and apparently because the 30 days have elapsed since the purchase (27
of which the laptop was gift-wrapped and hidden in my closet), Dell
refuses to consider my offer to exchange my Vista Home Premium license
for a Windows XP license

Please let me know what I can do to help trace this problem. I was
about to install a copy of Windows XP Pro that I have in an attempt to
fix the laptop, but I would prefer to get the Vista problem solved.

Thanks,
Steve
Click to expand...

Steve,

What's in the neighbourhood, and what signal strength are you getting?
Measure
objectively please.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/06/analyse-your-wifi-environment.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/06/analyse-your-wifi-environment.html

What WiFi Client are you running? Only run one.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/stabilise-your-wifi-use-only-one-wifi.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/stabilise-your-wifi-use-only-one-wifi.html

Since you've been talking to Dell, did they make sure that you have the
most
current drivers?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/driver-updates-from-microsoft-please.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/driver-updates-from-microsoft-please.html

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.
Click to expand...
 
B

Barb Bowman

that's good news.

Just to wrap up this thread - after 8 days of attempting to debug, the tech
at Dell had me remove the keyboard, reseat the Dell Wireless LAN minicard
and now everything is working perfectly!


Chuck said:
I recently purchased a Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop for my daughters Grad
and cannot maintain a connection with my Linksys WRT54G for more than
a few minutes. Network sharing center shows the connection
disappearing and then it retries to connect. Sometimes it's
successful, other times I have to boot.

The best minds at Dell support have been unable to help in any way,
and apparently because the 30 days have elapsed since the purchase (27
of which the laptop was gift-wrapped and hidden in my closet), Dell
refuses to consider my offer to exchange my Vista Home Premium license
for a Windows XP license

Please let me know what I can do to help trace this problem. I was
about to install a copy of Windows XP Pro that I have in an attempt to
fix the laptop, but I would prefer to get the Vista problem solved.

Thanks,
Steve
Click to expand...

Steve,

What's in the neighbourhood, and what signal strength are you getting?
Measure
objectively please.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/06/analyse-your-wifi-environment.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/06/analyse-your-wifi-environment.html

What WiFi Client are you running? Only run one.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/stabilise-your-wifi-use-only-one-wifi.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2006/01/stabilise-your-wifi-use-only-one-wifi.html

Since you've been talking to Dell, did they make sure that you have the
most
current drivers?
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/driver-updates-from-microsoft-please.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/08/driver-updates-from-microsoft-please.html

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
 

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