[Big Ben]

Ok so we'll get the technical part out of the way:

• Windows 7 (32 bit)
• AMD Athlon Dual Core Processor 2.1GHz
• Atheros AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter
• Toshiba Satellite Laptop

Now the issue:

As the title tells you, my network adapter seems to, well, suck. I just bought this laptop in June and I love it, except for the wireless capabilities. At first I thought it was just because of the distance from my router at home.

I am staying at a lodge in Northern Ontario and I have a Wireless N router hooked up to satellite internet. I am 50+ yards from the router in a completely different building, so intermittent reception is obviously expected.

However, it is frustrating when my friend who has an ACER laptop which is slightly bigger and more expensive than mine, doesn't have the same issue. I have 2-3 bars of reception according to my laptop, yet it drops frequently sometimes and moving the laptop the slightest amount (sometimes less than an inch) can make or break the connection.

I just accepted it for a while, but I was at work sitting outside in my truck and I had 4 out of 5 bars, and still the connection would drop out of no where, and be difficult to get back, even though the signal strength was good.

Then just recently I was at a friends place, sitting less than 5 feet from his router, full strength signal (5 bars) and the connection still dropped once or twice.

I've googled the network adapter and have found that many have had similar issues with it dropping signal and am wondering if there's anything I can do about it? It's really irritating to see it telling me I have good reception yet can't connect to the network.

 

[timmaywpg]

Looks like lots of people are having problems with that chipset.

3 suggestions

• Are you running the latest drivers? You could try updating them to the latest version.
  
• If your laptop is still under warranty, talk to support and see if you can get the wireless card replaced.
  
• Get an external (usb) wireless adapter or a replacement wireless card if the unit is out of warranty

 

[classicsat]

I have that same adapter in my nebook (also running Win7). Be advised it is only a B/G/N-150 2.4 Ghz adapter.

I have had no trouble at all, either with my older Linksys router, or newer Belkin. I was playing around and got 250+ meters away from my G router with DD-WRT 24 SP2 firmware, in repeater/bridge mode.

I might suspect the cable going to the antenna.

 

[recneps77]

Does it work fine at close-range, or does it still drop out? (if it drops when you're close to the router, there's something going on for sure. Long-range.. could just be poor antenna/interference problems)

Are you moving the laptop at all? (If Yes and it is fine when you're not moving, could be a loose cable as suggested)


Just a couple of ideas.

 

[Big Ben]

Might be the cable indeed. I looked at Toshibas support site. One solution was to update th bios if possible. My bios is Ver. 1.20 and there is a 1.40 available, so I think I'll try that and see what happens.

If not I'll call support and see about having it replaced.

Thanks for the ideas!