Vista - Problems with Vista WIFI connection

Hi,

I have a new Emachines laptop and I have had constant problems with the wireless connection (using a built in Atheros AR5007EG). I have another computer running Windows but with an external wireless card and never had any problems with that. I am using a Belking router on a Virginmedia cable connection in London, UK.

Mostly the problem was after waking from sleep mode, then I would have connection for a few minutes but then it would go down to "Local only".

I disabled IPv6 and that improved things a bit. I noticed that sometimes the browser (google chrome) would not be able to access websites and the "diagnose and repair" option for the connection would suggest restarting the wireless card or getting a new IP from the router. That would sometimes work, sometimes not. Now what I get is that even if the browser is not able to access websites at all, I can ping both IP numbers and web addresses. So obviously I do have a connection but something is still wrong. I have also added OpenDNS DNS servers just in case. Still not working.

Any ideas? Is this a fault with the Atheros drivers? Vista problem? It does not seem to be a problem with the router since the other computer works OK.

Thanks

Jordi