Windows Vista Forums

Vista Laptop Regularly Loses Wireless Internet Connection
  1. #1


    nigelord Guest

    Vista Laptop Regularly Loses Wireless Internet Connection

    We have 3 PCs at home, 2 with XP on them and 1 with Vista. We use BT
    Wireless Broadband. Every few days the Vista PC will lose connection -
    it is still receiving the wireless signal from the router, but it
    cannot get to the internet.

    This rarely, if ever, happens on the XP machines.

    The only way to re-connect the Vista machine to the internet is to
    power off/on the router and then it reconnects without a problem.

    When it is connected the IP address on the Vista laptop is
    192.168.1.65.
    However when it has disconnected its IP address becomes 169.254.96.107

    I followed advice from another board where the suggestion was made
    that Vista was being very picky about getting it's DHCP settings. XP
    used to wait 3mins for a DHCP response but Vista only waits 6 seconds.
    So anything that delays the DHCP server - ie the router- from
    responding within 6 seconds will cause Vista to assign an APIPA
    address.

    So I unchecked IPv6 in the properties for the Wireless Connection and
    then amended Properties for IPv4 so it obtains IP Address
    Automatically and has a User Configured Alternate Configuration as
    follows:
    IP Address: 192.168.2.200
    Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
    Default Gateway: 192.168.2.1
    Preferred DNS: 192.168.2.1

    This has not stopped the problem from occurring. Every couple of days
    or so the Vista machine loses internet connection and the only way to
    get it back is to power off and on the router.

    Anybody got any ideas?





      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  2. #2


    Dominic Payer Guest

    Re: Vista Laptop Regularly Loses Wireless Internet Connection

    Make sure you have the latest BIOS for the laptop - it may update the
    net adapter firmware.

    Then check for firmware updates for the router - you will need a wired
    connection, not wireless, to apply any - and be sure you have the latest
    driver for the laptop's net adapter.


    On 05/11/2009 17:39, nigelord wrote:

    > We have 3 PCs at home, 2 with XP on them and 1 with Vista. We use BT
    > Wireless Broadband. Every few days the Vista PC will lose connection -
    > it is still receiving the wireless signal from the router, but it
    > cannot get to the internet.
    >
    > This rarely, if ever, happens on the XP machines.
    >
    > The only way to re-connect the Vista machine to the internet is to
    > power off/on the router and then it reconnects without a problem.
    >
    > When it is connected the IP address on the Vista laptop is
    > 192.168.1.65.
    > However when it has disconnected its IP address becomes 169.254.96.107
    >
    > I followed advice from another board where the suggestion was made
    > that Vista was being very picky about getting it's DHCP settings. XP
    > used to wait 3mins for a DHCP response but Vista only waits 6 seconds.
    > So anything that delays the DHCP server - ie the router- from
    > responding within 6 seconds will cause Vista to assign an APIPA
    > address.
    >
    > So I unchecked IPv6 in the properties for the Wireless Connection and
    > then amended Properties for IPv4 so it obtains IP Address
    > Automatically and has a User Configured Alternate Configuration as
    > follows:
    > IP Address: 192.168.2.200
    > Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
    > Default Gateway: 192.168.2.1
    > Preferred DNS: 192.168.2.1
    >
    > This has not stopped the problem from occurring. Every couple of days
    > or so the Vista machine loses internet connection and the only way to
    > get it back is to power off and on the router.
    >
    > Anybody got any ideas?
    >
    >

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  3. #3


    Jack [MVP-Networking] Guest

    Re: Vista Laptop Regularly Loses Wireless Internet Connection

    Hi
    Some older Router are Not compatible with Vista.
    Maybe this can Help, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928233
    Jack (MS, MVP-Networking).

    "nigelord" <nigelord@newsgroup> wrote in message
    news:16a89716-8ce1-4065-8227-641c45f20a63@newsgroup

    > We have 3 PCs at home, 2 with XP on them and 1 with Vista. We use BT
    > Wireless Broadband. Every few days the Vista PC will lose connection -
    > it is still receiving the wireless signal from the router, but it
    > cannot get to the internet.
    >
    > This rarely, if ever, happens on the XP machines.
    >
    > The only way to re-connect the Vista machine to the internet is to
    > power off/on the router and then it reconnects without a problem.
    >
    > When it is connected the IP address on the Vista laptop is
    > 192.168.1.65.
    > However when it has disconnected its IP address becomes 169.254.96.107
    >
    > I followed advice from another board where the suggestion was made
    > that Vista was being very picky about getting it's DHCP settings. XP
    > used to wait 3mins for a DHCP response but Vista only waits 6 seconds.
    > So anything that delays the DHCP server - ie the router- from
    > responding within 6 seconds will cause Vista to assign an APIPA
    > address.
    >
    > So I unchecked IPv6 in the properties for the Wireless Connection and
    > then amended Properties for IPv4 so it obtains IP Address
    > Automatically and has a User Configured Alternate Configuration as
    > follows:
    > IP Address: 192.168.2.200
    > Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
    > Default Gateway: 192.168.2.1
    > Preferred DNS: 192.168.2.1
    >
    > This has not stopped the problem from occurring. Every couple of days
    > or so the Vista machine loses internet connection and the only way to
    > get it back is to power off and on the router.
    >
    > Anybody got any ideas?
    >
    >

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  4. #4


    Tom Newton Guest

    Re: Vista Laptop Regularly Loses Wireless Internet Connection

    Hi, in step 2 it says...


    "Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\{GUID}

    In this registry path, click the (GUID) subkey that corresponds to the
    network adapter that is connected to the network."

    How does one know the correct subkey to choose?


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  5. #5


    Gordon Guest

    Re: Vista Laptop Regularly Loses Wireless Internet Connection


    "nigelord" <nigelord@newsgroup> wrote in message
    news:16a89716-8ce1-4065-8227-641c45f20a63@newsgroup

    > We have 3 PCs at home, 2 with XP on them and 1 with Vista. We use BT
    > Wireless Broadband. Every few days the Vista PC will lose connection -
    > it is still receiving the wireless signal from the router, but it
    > cannot get to the internet.
    It's a Vista bug. There is nothing you can do about it except upgrade to
    Windows 7.
    I had exactly the same problem. Neither Windows 7 nor Linux had this problem
    ON THE SAME MACHINE.


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  6. #6


    nigelord Guest

    Re: Vista Laptop Regularly Loses Wireless Internet Connection

    On Nov 6, 9:02*am, "Gordon" <gordonbpar...@newsgroup> wrote:

    > "nigelord" <nigel...@newsgroup> wrote in message
    >
    > news:16a89716-8ce1-4065-8227-641c45f20a63@newsgroup
    >

    > > We have 3 PCs at home, 2 with XP on them and 1 with Vista. We use BT
    > > Wireless Broadband. Every few days the Vista PC will lose connection -
    > > it is still receiving the wireless signal from the router, but it
    > > cannot get to the internet.
    >
    > It's a Vista bug. There is nothing you can do about it except upgrade to
    > Windows 7.
    > I had exactly the same problem. Neither Windows 7 nor Linux had this problem
    > ON THE SAME MACHINE.
    I do not think it is the discovery packets, indicated by the Knowledge
    Base link, as it does connect and work for a few days and before
    losing connection and you can only get it back by powering off router.
    The router is BT so there will be millions of them in use across the
    UK - it is not that old - we got it 6 months AFTER launch of Vista.
    I have switched the Vista PC to static IP addressing to see if that
    has any impact. Been working ok for 4 days so far so here's
    hoping........

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  7. #7


    tricky300 Guest

    RE: Vista Laptop Regularly Loses Wireless Internet Connection

    Hello Nigel,

    My Vista laptop had similar issues, sp2 fixed this. I can't say for certain
    this will fix your problem but if you are not already on sp2 it would be a
    good idea anyway.

    Tricky

    "nigelord" wrote:

    > We have 3 PCs at home, 2 with XP on them and 1 with Vista. We use BT
    > Wireless Broadband. Every few days the Vista PC will lose connection -
    > it is still receiving the wireless signal from the router, but it
    > cannot get to the internet.
    >
    > This rarely, if ever, happens on the XP machines.
    >
    > The only way to re-connect the Vista machine to the internet is to
    > power off/on the router and then it reconnects without a problem.
    >
    > When it is connected the IP address on the Vista laptop is
    > 192.168.1.65.
    > However when it has disconnected its IP address becomes 169.254.96.107
    >
    > I followed advice from another board where the suggestion was made
    > that Vista was being very picky about getting it's DHCP settings. XP
    > used to wait 3mins for a DHCP response but Vista only waits 6 seconds.
    > So anything that delays the DHCP server - ie the router- from
    > responding within 6 seconds will cause Vista to assign an APIPA
    > address.
    >
    > So I unchecked IPv6 in the properties for the Wireless Connection and
    > then amended Properties for IPv4 so it obtains IP Address
    > Automatically and has a User Configured Alternate Configuration as
    > follows:
    > IP Address: 192.168.2.200
    > Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
    > Default Gateway: 192.168.2.1
    > Preferred DNS: 192.168.2.1
    >
    > This has not stopped the problem from occurring. Every couple of days
    > or so the Vista machine loses internet connection and the only way to
    > get it back is to power off and on the router.
    >
    > Anybody got any ideas?
    >
    >
    > .
    >

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  8. #8


    nigelord Guest

    Re: Vista Laptop Regularly Loses Wireless Internet Connection

    On Nov 11, 11:04*am, tricky300 <tricky...@newsgroup>
    wrote:

    > Hello Nigel,
    >
    > My Vista laptop had similar issues, sp2 fixed this. I can't say for certain
    > this will fix your problem but if you are not already on sp2 it would be a
    > good idea anyway.
    >
    > Tricky
    >
    >
    >
    > "nigelord" wrote:

    > > We have 3 PCs at home, 2 with XP on them and 1 with Vista. We use BT
    > > Wireless Broadband. Every few days the Vista PC will lose connection -
    > > it is still receiving the wireless signal from the router, but it
    > > cannot get to the internet.
    >

    > > This rarely, if ever, happens on the XP machines.
    >

    > > The only way to re-connect the Vista machine to the internet is to
    > > power off/on the router and then it reconnects without a problem.
    >

    > > When it is connected the IP address on the Vista laptop is
    > > 192.168.1.65.
    > > However when it has disconnected its IP address becomes 169.254.96.107
    >

    > > I followed advice from another board where the suggestion was made
    > > that Vista was being very picky about getting it's DHCP settings. XP
    > > used to wait 3mins for a DHCP response but Vista only waits 6 seconds.
    > > So anything that delays the DHCP server - ie the router- from
    > > responding within 6 seconds will cause Vista to assign an APIPA
    > > address.
    >

    > > So I unchecked IPv6 in the properties for the Wireless Connection and
    > > then amended Properties for IPv4 so it obtains IP Address
    > > Automatically and has a User Configured Alternate Configuration as
    > > follows:
    > > IP Address: 192.168.2.200
    > > Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
    > > Default Gateway: 192.168.2.1
    > > Preferred DNS: 192.168.2.1
    >

    > > This has not stopped the problem from occurring. Every couple of days
    > > or so the Vista machine loses internet connection and the only way to
    > > get it back is to power off and on the router.
    >

    > > Anybody got any ideas?
    >

    > > .- Hide quoted text -
    >
    > - Show quoted text -
    Tricky,

    It is on SP1 so I'll bear that in mind. I switched to fixed IP
    addressing and so far (8 days now) it has maintained the connection.

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

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