Vista - Wireless Disconnects - a Vista Bug

Is it a Netgear Router?

"CB" wrote:

>
>
> Houstonmat,
>
> I had the same problem with my new computer running Vista Home Premium and
> then Ultimate. I made several calls to Dell and Microsoft trying to
> understand the problem.
>
> Who is the vendor of your laptops? Is it Dell. If so, click on All Programs
> and go to Dell Wirelss. Uncheck the box that says "Let Dell manage your
> wireless connections". This will then let Windows manage the connection.
>
> However, I still had some problems. After a bit more researching I was
> advised to update the driver for my wireless card. This permanently solved
> the problem for me. It may or may not work for you but the thing I discovered
> was that it was not the fault of my Vista operating system.
>
> Have a nice day.
>
> C.B.
>
>

No, it's currently a Linksys WRTSL54GS but I've also tried two D-link
routers, one a DI-524 and the other a new draft N (returned it for the
Linksys). I actually still have the DI-524 but I've unplugged it in favor of
the Linksys. But for testing I swap back and forth.

So far I've tried all suggestions except for searching the NIC
manufacturer's website for new drivers, which I will do today. Static IP
address, disabling IPv6, changing power settings to max performance...etc.
etc. and nothing works yet.

I'll keep you posted.

some one else had this issue a few days ago and fixed it by upgrading the
routers firmware so I wouldn't limit the fact that it could need the newest
firmware. I'm not guaranteeing that's the fix but its worth a try.




"houstonmat" <houstonmat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:46619423-2AAD-43F0-BBDA-DA9E2C8BD2A1@microsoft.com...
> No, it's currently a Linksys WRTSL54GS but I've also tried two D-link
> routers, one a DI-524 and the other a new draft N (returned it for the
> Linksys). I actually still have the DI-524 but I've unplugged it in favor
> of
> the Linksys. But for testing I swap back and forth.
>
> So far I've tried all suggestions except for searching the NIC
> manufacturer's website for new drivers, which I will do today. Static IP
> address, disabling IPv6, changing power settings to max performance...etc.
> etc. and nothing works yet.
>
> I'll keep you posted.

"houstonmat" <houstonmat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A9C3DD70-221B-411D-A61E-1DC3F1379A7B@microsoft.com...
> On two different Vista Home Premium laptops, two different architectures
> and
> laptop models and three different wireless routers I have experienced the
> following issue. After about 15 minutes of being connected, my wireless
> connection drops the Internet connection and becomes 'local access only.'
> Local access is true, because I can stream from my 360, but the laptop
> cannot
> access the internet. Just renewing the IP isn't enough, I have to
> completely
> reset the adapter. A cursory search of the internet shows that this
> happens
> on just about every imaginable platform and hardware configuration out
> there.
>
> What gives, Microsoft? When will this be patched?? I bought this laptop
> for
> my wife so that she *wouldn't* be calling me all day at work to help her,
> yet
> the support calls are through the roof!!
>

Have you tried running the Vista wireless diagnostic tool to see if it
reveals a possible cause?

http://technet2.microsoft.com/Window....mspx?mfr=true

"Mr. Arnold" <MR. Arnold@Arnold.com> wrote in message news:%23jk70$X0HHA.748@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>
> "houstonmat" <houstonmat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:A9C3DD70-221B-411D-A61E-1DC3F1379A7B@microsoft.com...
>> On two different Vista Home Premium laptops, two different architectures and
>> laptop models and three different wireless routers I have experienced the
>> following issue. After about 15 minutes of being connected, my wireless
>> connection drops the Internet connection and becomes 'local access only.'
>> Local access is true, because I can stream from my 360, but the laptop cannot
>> access the internet. Just renewing the IP isn't enough, I have to completely
>> reset the adapter. A cursory search of the internet shows that this happens
>> on just about every imaginable platform and hardware configuration out there.
>>
>> What gives, Microsoft? When will this be patched?? I bought this laptop for
>> my wife so that she *wouldn't* be calling me all day at work to help her, yet
>> the support calls are through the roof!!
>>
>
> Have you tried running the Vista wireless diagnostic tool to see if it reveals a possible cause?
>
> http://technet2.microsoft.com/Window....mspx?mfr=true
I had exactly the same problem recently, other than it would not even start to access the Internet.
However I could connect to any other computer on the LAN. The diagnostic tool only gave me a
message that a firewall policy could be the problem. I only use the Windows Vista firewall. I
eventually just did a "system restore" back a couple of days and now the Internet works again.

"Richard in AZ" <me@mailinator.com> wrote in message
news:ez%23QbfZ0HHA.5884@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>
> "Mr. Arnold" <MR. Arnold@Arnold.com> wrote in message
> news:%23jk70$X0HHA.748@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>
>> "houstonmat" <houstonmat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:A9C3DD70-221B-411D-A61E-1DC3F1379A7B@microsoft.com...
>>> On two different Vista Home Premium laptops, two different architectures
>>> and
>>> laptop models and three different wireless routers I have experienced
>>> the
>>> following issue. After about 15 minutes of being connected, my wireless
>>> connection drops the Internet connection and becomes 'local access
>>> only.'
>>> Local access is true, because I can stream from my 360, but the laptop
>>> cannot
>>> access the internet. Just renewing the IP isn't enough, I have to
>>> completely
>>> reset the adapter. A cursory search of the internet shows that this
>>> happens
>>> on just about every imaginable platform and hardware configuration out
>>> there.
>>>
>>> What gives, Microsoft? When will this be patched?? I bought this laptop
>>> for
>>> my wife so that she *wouldn't* be calling me all day at work to help
>>> her, yet
>>> the support calls are through the roof!!
>>>
>>
>> Have you tried running the Vista wireless diagnostic tool to see if it
>> reveals a possible cause?
>>
>> http://technet2.microsoft.com/Window....mspx?mfr=true
> I had exactly the same problem recently, other than it would not even
> start to access the Internet.

That's because the computer and its wireless NIC never got a DHCP IP from
the router that was going to let it access the Internet. In addition to
that, the machine cannot even access the router's admin pages either using
the router's device IP, because it was not using an IP on the router.

> However I could connect to any other computer on the LAN. The diagnostic
> tool only gave me a message that a firewall policy could be the problem.
> I only use the Windows Vista firewall.

That is correct. The computer couldn't get a DHCP IP from the router and
timed out. When the computer couldn't get an IP from the DHCP server on the
router, the O/S assigned a default IP to the NIC of 169.xxx.xxx.xxx. The 169
IP will allow the computer to access other machines on the LAN. But the 169
IP will not allow the computer to access the Internet nor will the IP allow
the computer to access the router's admin page, because the computer is not
using an IP on the router.

> I eventually just did a "system restore" back a couple of days and now
> the Internet works again.

I am glad it worked out for you.

Well after 2 solid days of troubleshooting this one, I'm prepared to chalk it
up to a bug. I don't know for sure whether I blame Microsoft, HP or Intel,
but there's no doubt it's a bug...and a well-documented one judging from the
number of search results I get.

I have upgraded both routers' firmware to the latest versions, run all
Windows, HP and Intel updates (wireless NIC is Intel), run all Intel
diagnostics with positive results, made the DHCP broadcast flag changes in
the registry (http://support.microsoft.com/default...b/928233/en-us),
tried AutoConfig on and off
(http://www.neowin.net/forum/lofivers...p/t540668.html), used a
static IP address (worked the best but not permanent), tested every
individual broadcast channel on my router
(http://forums.linksys.com/linksys/bo...id=24271#M4868),
performed a system restore from the D drive image HP ships (back to factory
settings), created another user profile, turned power settings to high
performance, unplugged EVERYTHING in my house that uses a wireless signal
except for the router and laptop (even with draft N I still had the
problem)...that's all I can remember doing, but I'm sure it's not everything
I tried. The lovely thing about it all is that my XP laptop was on during
various times throughout this ordeal and NEVER NEVER NEVER had a problem
connecting and staying connected or accessing the public Internet.

Today I'll be making a trip to Fry's to get my money back. If anyone can
suggest a place where I can find a laptop with XP MCE and 128-256 MB of
dedicated video memory, I'd appreciate it. Or if someone from MS will
acknowledge this bug and let me know when it will be fixed, I'll hang onto
this laptop a little longer. You have 1 hour...

All I can tell you is that if you're reading this post because you have the
same issue, RUN back to the store where you bought it and return or exchange
it. You will not be able to fix it, and will be left resetting your wireless
adapter every 10 minutes.

I posted my "final" findings, but it put it onto the second page, so I'm
going to re-post to get it up front. Here goes...

Well after 2 solid days of troubleshooting this one, I'm prepared to chalk
it up to a bug. I don't know for sure whether I blame Microsoft, HP or Intel,
but there's no doubt it's a bug...and a well-documented one judging from the
number of search results I get.

I have upgraded both routers' firmware to the latest versions, run all
Windows, HP and Intel updates (wireless NIC is Intel), run all Intel
diagnostics with positive results, made the DHCP broadcast flag changes in
the registry (http://support.microsoft.com/default...b/928233/en-us),
tried AutoConfig on and off
(http://www.neowin.net/forum/lofivers...p/t540668.html), used a
static IP address (worked the best but not permanent), tested every
individual broadcast channel on my router
(http://forums.linksys.com/linksys/bo...id=24271#M4868),
performed a system restore from the D drive image HP ships (back to factory
settings), created another user profile, turned power settings to high
performance, unplugged EVERYTHING in my house that uses a wireless signal
except for the router and laptop (even with draft N I still had the
problem)...that's all I can remember doing, but I'm sure it's not everything
I tried. The lovely thing about it all is that my XP laptop was on during
various times throughout this ordeal and NEVER NEVER NEVER had a problem
connecting and staying connected or accessing the public Internet.

Today I'll be making a trip to Fry's to get my money back. If anyone can
suggest a place where I can find a laptop with XP MCE and 128-256 MB of
dedicated video memory, I'd appreciate it. Or if someone from MS will
acknowledge this bug and let me know when it will be fixed, I'll hang onto
this laptop a little longer. You have 1 hour...

All I can tell you is that if you're reading this post because you have the
same issue, RUN back to the store where you bought it and return or exchange
it. You will not be able to fix it, and will be left resetting your wireless
adapter every 10 minutes.

Have you contacted HP Support yet?


"houstonmat" <houstonmat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:05BCF343-F6BF-4F1D-A798-827C7CDA2CBA@microsoft.com...
> Well after 2 solid days of troubleshooting this one, I'm prepared to chalk
> it
> up to a bug. I don't know for sure whether I blame Microsoft, HP or Intel,
> but there's no doubt it's a bug...and a well-documented one judging from
> the
> number of search results I get.
>
> I have upgraded both routers' firmware to the latest versions, run all
> Windows, HP and Intel updates (wireless NIC is Intel), run all Intel
> diagnostics with positive results, made the DHCP broadcast flag changes in
> the registry (http://support.microsoft.com/default...b/928233/en-us),
> tried AutoConfig on and off
> (http://www.neowin.net/forum/lofivers...p/t540668.html), used a
> static IP address (worked the best but not permanent), tested every
> individual broadcast channel on my router
> (http://forums.linksys.com/linksys/bo...id=24271#M4868),
> performed a system restore from the D drive image HP ships (back to
> factory
> settings), created another user profile, turned power settings to high
> performance, unplugged EVERYTHING in my house that uses a wireless signal
> except for the router and laptop (even with draft N I still had the
> problem)...that's all I can remember doing, but I'm sure it's not
> everything
> I tried. The lovely thing about it all is that my XP laptop was on during
> various times throughout this ordeal and NEVER NEVER NEVER had a problem
> connecting and staying connected or accessing the public Internet.
>
> Today I'll be making a trip to Fry's to get my money back. If anyone can
> suggest a place where I can find a laptop with XP MCE and 128-256 MB of
> dedicated video memory, I'd appreciate it. Or if someone from MS will
> acknowledge this bug and let me know when it will be fixed, I'll hang onto
> this laptop a little longer. You have 1 hour...
>
> All I can tell you is that if you're reading this post because you have
> the
> same issue, RUN back to the store where you bought it and return or
> exchange
> it. You will not be able to fix it, and will be left resetting your
> wireless
> adapter every 10 minutes.

--


Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

Yes. Spent over an hour on the phone with them. Their final suggestion was to
perform the system restore...which didn't fix the problem.

"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:

> Have you contacted HP Support yet?
>
>
> "houstonmat" <houstonmat@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:05BCF343-F6BF-4F1D-A798-827C7CDA2CBA@microsoft.com...
> > Well after 2 solid days of troubleshooting this one, I'm prepared to chalk
> > it
> > up to a bug. I don't know for sure whether I blame Microsoft, HP or Intel,
> > but there's no doubt it's a bug...and a well-documented one judging from
> > the
> > number of search results I get.
> >
> > I have upgraded both routers' firmware to the latest versions, run all
> > Windows, HP and Intel updates (wireless NIC is Intel), run all Intel
> > diagnostics with positive results, made the DHCP broadcast flag changes in
> > the registry (http://support.microsoft.com/default...b/928233/en-us),
> > tried AutoConfig on and off
> > (http://www.neowin.net/forum/lofivers...p/t540668.html), used a
> > static IP address (worked the best but not permanent), tested every
> > individual broadcast channel on my router
> > (http://forums.linksys.com/linksys/bo...id=24271#M4868),
> > performed a system restore from the D drive image HP ships (back to
> > factory
> > settings), created another user profile, turned power settings to high
> > performance, unplugged EVERYTHING in my house that uses a wireless signal
> > except for the router and laptop (even with draft N I still had the
> > problem)...that's all I can remember doing, but I'm sure it's not
> > everything
> > I tried. The lovely thing about it all is that my XP laptop was on during
> > various times throughout this ordeal and NEVER NEVER NEVER had a problem
> > connecting and staying connected or accessing the public Internet.
> >
> > Today I'll be making a trip to Fry's to get my money back. If anyone can
> > suggest a place where I can find a laptop with XP MCE and 128-256 MB of
> > dedicated video memory, I'd appreciate it. Or if someone from MS will
> > acknowledge this bug and let me know when it will be fixed, I'll hang onto
> > this laptop a little longer. You have 1 hour...
> >
> > All I can tell you is that if you're reading this post because you have
> > the
> > same issue, RUN back to the store where you bought it and return or
> > exchange
> > it. You will not be able to fix it, and will be left resetting your
> > wireless
> > adapter every 10 minutes.
>
> --
>
>
> Mike Hall
> MS MVP Windows Shell/User
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
>
>
>
>