WiFi network is driving me nuts

I need some help.

My home is such that all my broadband to myPCs has to be wireless (the
only place they could connect the cable was in an obscure, upstairs
bedroom).

In general this has worked just fine. I have 3 PCs currently connected
to the network, One desktop and a laptop running XP and my new
laptop running Vista (new is relative, I've been having this problem
since January 2009 when I got the Vista laptop).

The two XP machines connect to the network just fine. Occasionally,
when I work on the desktop, I'd see a notification icon that it has
connected to the network, but in general I have no interruptions to my
network connections.

The Vista machine (Vista Ultimate, SP 2) is a nightmare. the WiFI
connection keeps dropping. Additionally, often it would report that
the network is connected, but in reality, nothing is reachable and I
have to disconnect/connect to the network before any Internet site is
reachable.

Now there are 3 components that I suspect:
1. The wireless card (Intel 5300AGN)
2. Vista itself
3. Something about my network setup

If it was external, I would expect to see the other SP machines also
suffer connection problems. If this is not a valid assumption, please
disabuse me of that incorrect notion.

What I do see, and completely don't understand is the information in
the notification area for the network icon.

Sometimes my network is displayed as bluegrass Access: Local and
Internet ("bluegrass" is my network name), other times the network
is displayed as

Identifying (bluegrass) access: Local and Internet

and still other times it is displayed as

Unidentified network (bluegrass) Access: Local and Internet

A few times even the network displayed as

bluegrass 2: Access Local and Internet

None of this is displayed in my Windows XP machines

Who/what is responsible for identifying the network, what role does
that play in access to the network and how can I go about
troubleshooting this issue?

I'm planning to migrate wo Win 7 purely as a result of this issue, but
I guess I may commit a heinous act if it turns out that the problem
was in the hardware of my machine and migrating does not resolve this
issue.

"MikeB" <mpbrede@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:babc8c41-4344-4a24-ac20-1f1d9a2c1d77@u13g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...
> 2. Vista itself

It's Vista. There are many posts on the internet about Vista "just doing
this" and there's no cure other than XP or Windows 7 or one of the free OSs.
I had exactly this with Vista Home Premium - no problems at all since August
using Win 7 on the same hardware....

"MikeB" <mpbrede@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:babc8c41-4344-4a24-ac20-1f1d9a2c1d77@u13g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...
> I need some help.
>
> My home is such that all my broadband to myPCs has to be wireless (the
> only place they could connect the cable was in an obscure, upstairs
> bedroom).
>
> In general this has worked just fine. I have 3 PCs currently connected
> to the network, One desktop and a laptop running XP and my new
> laptop running Vista (new is relative, I've been having this problem
> since January 2009 when I got the Vista laptop).
>
> The two XP machines connect to the network just fine. Occasionally,
> when I work on the desktop, I'd see a notification icon that it has
> connected to the network, but in general I have no interruptions to my
> network connections.
>
> The Vista machine (Vista Ultimate, SP 2) is a nightmare. the WiFI
> connection keeps dropping. Additionally, often it would report that
> the network is connected, but in reality, nothing is reachable and I
> have to disconnect/connect to the network before any Internet site is
> reachable.
>
> Now there are 3 components that I suspect:
> 1. The wireless card (Intel 5300AGN)
> 2. Vista itself
> 3. Something about my network setup
>
> If it was external, I would expect to see the other SP machines also
> suffer connection problems. If this is not a valid assumption, please
> disabuse me of that incorrect notion.
>
> What I do see, and completely don't understand is the information in
> the notification area for the network icon.
>
> Sometimes my network is displayed as bluegrass Access: Local and
> Internet ("bluegrass" is my network name), other times the network
> is displayed as
>
> Identifying (bluegrass) access: Local and Internet
>
> and still other times it is displayed as
>
> Unidentified network (bluegrass) Access: Local and Internet
>
> A few times even the network displayed as
>
> bluegrass 2: Access Local and Internet
>
> None of this is displayed in my Windows XP machines
>
> Who/what is responsible for identifying the network, what role does
> that play in access to the network and how can I go about
> troubleshooting this issue?
>
> I'm planning to migrate wo Win 7 purely as a result of this issue, but
> I guess I may commit a heinous act if it turns out that the problem
> was in the hardware of my machine and migrating does not resolve this
> issue.
>

Have you gone to the computer manufacturer's web site and/or Intel's to
download the latest drivers for you network card. Not knowing your laptop
manufacturer, I note that Intel has drivers for a 5300 series wireless
device that is from June this year. Don't know if this exactly matches your
device but it may be a fix for your issue.

"LVTravel" <none@nothere.com> wrote in message
news:O0tHoKaUKHA.504@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
> Have you gone to the computer manufacturer's web site and/or Intel's to
> download the latest drivers for you network card. Not knowing your laptop
> manufacturer, I note that Intel has drivers for a 5300 series wireless
> device that is from June this year. Don't know if this exactly matches
> your device but it may be a fix for your issue.

It may - however, I had this same problem so I also installed all the latest
Wifi drivers, firmware for the WAP etc etc and still had the problem.
Funnily enough, using either Win 7 or Ubuntu there was NO problem......
Which leads me to the inevitable conclusion that it's a Vista "feature"....

On Oct 20, 11:30*am, "LVTravel" <n...@nothere.com> wrote:
> "MikeB" <mpbr...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:babc8c41-4344-4a24-ac20-1f1d9a2c1d77@u13g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> > I need some help.
>
> > My home is such that all my broadband to myPCs has to be wireless (the
> > only place they could connect the cable was in an obscure, upstairs
> > bedroom).
>
> > In general this has worked just fine. I have 3 PCs currently connected
> > to the *network, One desktop and *a laptop running XP and my new
> > laptop running Vista (new is relative, I've been having this problem
> > since January 2009 when I got the Vista laptop).
>
> > The two XP machines connect to the network just fine. Occasionally,
> > when I work on the desktop, I'd see a notification icon that it has
> > connected to the network, but in general I have no interruptions to my
> > network connections.
>
> > The Vista machine (Vista Ultimate, SP 2) is a nightmare. the WiFI
> > connection keeps dropping. Additionally, often it would report that
> > the network is connected, but in reality, nothing is reachable and I
> > have to disconnect/connect to the network before any Internet site is
> > reachable.
>
> > Now there are 3 components that I suspect:
> > 1. The wireless card (Intel 5300AGN)
> > 2. Vista itself
> > 3. Something about my network setup
>
> > If it was external, I would expect to see the other SP machines also
> > suffer connection problems. If this is not a valid assumption, please
> > disabuse me of that incorrect notion.
>
> > What I do see, and completely don't understand is the information in
> > the notification area for the network icon.
>
> > Sometimes my network is displayed as bluegrass Access: Local and
> > Internet * ("bluegrass" is my network name), other times the network
> > is displayed as
>
> > Identifying (bluegrass) access: Local and Internet
>
> > and still other times it is displayed as
>
> > Unidentified network (bluegrass) Access: Local and Internet
>
> > A few times even the network displayed as
>
> > bluegrass 2: Access *Local and Internet
>
> > None of this is displayed in my Windows XP machines
>
> > Who/what is responsible for identifying the network, what role does
> > that play in access to the network and how can I go about
> > troubleshooting this issue?
>
> > I'm planning to migrate wo Win 7 purely as a result of this issue, but
> > I guess I may commit a heinous act if it turns out that the problem
> > was in the hardware of my machine and migrating does not resolve this
> > issue.
>
> Have you gone to the computer manufacturer's web site and/or Intel's to
> download the latest drivers for you network card. *Not knowing your laptop
> manufacturer, I note that Intel has drivers for a 5300 series wireless
> device that is from June this year. *Don't know if this exactly matchesyour
> device but it may be a fix for your issue.

I have a Lenovo T500 laptop. I have an up-to-date driver from Lenovo's
website. But valid suggestion. Thanks.

On Oct 20, 10:16*am, "Gordon" <gordonbpar...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> "MikeB" <mpbr...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:babc8c41-4344-4a24-ac20-1f1d9a2c1d77@u13g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...
>
> > 2. Vista itself
>
> It's Vista. There are many posts on the internet about Vista "just doing
> this" and there's no cure other than XP or Windows 7 or one of the free OSs.
> I had exactly this with Vista Home Premium - no problems at all since August
> using Win 7 on the same hardware....

Well, At least Win 7 is around the corner. At least after I spend
anohter $200, I get to know whether it is the OS or not.

"MikeB" <mpbrede@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:6b69197a-c2dc-492f-aee7-c9aa87b575af@r31g2000vbi.googlegroups.com...
> On Oct 20, 10:16 am, "Gordon" <gordonbpar...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> "MikeB" <mpbr...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:babc8c41-4344-4a24-ac20-1f1d9a2c1d77@u13g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...
>>
>> > 2. Vista itself
>>
>> It's Vista. There are many posts on the internet about Vista "just doing
>> this" and there's no cure other than XP or Windows 7 or one of the free
>> OSs.
>> I had exactly this with Vista Home Premium - no problems at all since
>> August
>> using Win 7 on the same hardware....
>
> Well, At least Win 7 is around the corner. At least after I spend
> anohter $200, I get to know whether it is the OS or not.

Well Win 7 fixed it for me!

My money is on the idea that this the result of wireless signal problems
(even if the signal is always "excellent"). My laptop is less that 50 feet
from the router. Most of the time, the network stays up. However, every
now and then it will not stay connected. The only correlation I can see is
the weather.
Jim
"MikeB" <mpbrede@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:babc8c41-4344-4a24-ac20-1f1d9a2c1d77@u13g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...
>I need some help.
>
> My home is such that all my broadband to myPCs has to be wireless (the
> only place they could connect the cable was in an obscure, upstairs
> bedroom).
>
> In general this has worked just fine. I have 3 PCs currently connected
> to the network, One desktop and a laptop running XP and my new
> laptop running Vista (new is relative, I've been having this problem
> since January 2009 when I got the Vista laptop).
>
> The two XP machines connect to the network just fine. Occasionally,
> when I work on the desktop, I'd see a notification icon that it has
> connected to the network, but in general I have no interruptions to my
> network connections.
>
> The Vista machine (Vista Ultimate, SP 2) is a nightmare. the WiFI
> connection keeps dropping. Additionally, often it would report that
> the network is connected, but in reality, nothing is reachable and I
> have to disconnect/connect to the network before any Internet site is
> reachable.
>
> Now there are 3 components that I suspect:
> 1. The wireless card (Intel 5300AGN)
> 2. Vista itself
> 3. Something about my network setup
>
> If it was external, I would expect to see the other SP machines also
> suffer connection problems. If this is not a valid assumption, please
> disabuse me of that incorrect notion.
>
> What I do see, and completely don't understand is the information in
> the notification area for the network icon.
>
> Sometimes my network is displayed as bluegrass Access: Local and
> Internet ("bluegrass" is my network name), other times the network
> is displayed as
>
> Identifying (bluegrass) access: Local and Internet
>
> and still other times it is displayed as
>
> Unidentified network (bluegrass) Access: Local and Internet
>
> A few times even the network displayed as
>
> bluegrass 2: Access Local and Internet
>
> None of this is displayed in my Windows XP machines
>
> Who/what is responsible for identifying the network, what role does
> that play in access to the network and how can I go about
> troubleshooting this issue?
>
> I'm planning to migrate wo Win 7 purely as a result of this issue, but
> I guess I may commit a heinous act if it turns out that the problem
> was in the hardware of my machine and migrating does not resolve this
> issue.
>

What about nearby interference? 2.4 wireless phone anywhere around?

"MikeB" <mpbrede@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:babc8c41-4344-4a24-ac20-1f1d9a2c1d77@u13g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...
> I need some help.
>
> My home is such that all my broadband to myPCs has to be wireless (the
> only place they could connect the cable was in an obscure, upstairs
> bedroom).
>
> In general this has worked just fine. I have 3 PCs currently connected
> to the network, One desktop and a laptop running XP and my new
> laptop running Vista (new is relative, I've been having this problem
> since January 2009 when I got the Vista laptop).
>
> The two XP machines connect to the network just fine. Occasionally,
> when I work on the desktop, I'd see a notification icon that it has
> connected to the network, but in general I have no interruptions to my
> network connections.
>
> The Vista machine (Vista Ultimate, SP 2) is a nightmare. the WiFI
> connection keeps dropping. Additionally, often it would report that
> the network is connected, but in reality, nothing is reachable and I
> have to disconnect/connect to the network before any Internet site is
> reachable.
>
> Now there are 3 components that I suspect:
> 1. The wireless card (Intel 5300AGN)
> 2. Vista itself
> 3. Something about my network setup
>
> If it was external, I would expect to see the other SP machines also
> suffer connection problems. If this is not a valid assumption, please
> disabuse me of that incorrect notion.
>
> What I do see, and completely don't understand is the information in
> the notification area for the network icon.
>
> Sometimes my network is displayed as bluegrass Access: Local and
> Internet ("bluegrass" is my network name), other times the network
> is displayed as
>
> Identifying (bluegrass) access: Local and Internet
>
> and still other times it is displayed as
>
> Unidentified network (bluegrass) Access: Local and Internet
>
> A few times even the network displayed as
>
> bluegrass 2: Access Local and Internet
>
> None of this is displayed in my Windows XP machines
>
> Who/what is responsible for identifying the network, what role does
> that play in access to the network and how can I go about
> troubleshooting this issue?
>
> I'm planning to migrate wo Win 7 purely as a result of this issue, but
> I guess I may commit a heinous act if it turns out that the problem
> was in the hardware of my machine and migrating does not resolve this
> issue.
>

On Oct 20, 3:27*pm, "rak" <rak...@charter.net> wrote:
> What about nearby interference? *2.4 wireless phone anywhere around?
>
> "MikeB" <mpbr...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:babc8c41-4344-4a24-ac20-1f1d9a2c1d77@u13g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...
>
> > I need some help.
>
> > My home is such that all my broadband to myPCs has to be wireless (the
> > only place they could connect the cable was in an obscure, upstairs
> > bedroom).
>
> > In general this has worked just fine. I have 3 PCs currently connected
> > to the *network, One desktop and *a laptop running XP and my new
> > laptop running Vista (new is relative, I've been having this problem
> > since January 2009 when I got the Vista laptop).
>
> > The two XP machines connect to the network just fine. Occasionally,
> > when I work on the desktop, I'd see a notification icon that it has
> > connected to the network, but in general I have no interruptions to my
> > network connections.
>
> > The Vista machine (Vista Ultimate, SP 2) is a nightmare. the WiFI
> > connection keeps dropping. Additionally, often it would report that
> > the network is connected, but in reality, nothing is reachable and I
> > have to disconnect/connect to the network before any Internet site is
> > reachable.
>
> > Now there are 3 components that I suspect:
> > 1. The wireless card (Intel 5300AGN)
> > 2. Vista itself
> > 3. Something about my network setup
>
> > If it was external, I would expect to see the other SP machines also
> > suffer connection problems. If this is not a valid assumption, please
> > disabuse me of that incorrect notion.
>
> > What I do see, and completely don't understand is the information in
> > the notification area for the network icon.
>
> > Sometimes my network is displayed as bluegrass Access: Local and
> > Internet * ("bluegrass" is my network name), other times the network
> > is displayed as
>
> > Identifying (bluegrass) access: Local and Internet
>
> > and still other times it is displayed as
>
> > Unidentified network (bluegrass) Access: Local and Internet
>
> > A few times even the network displayed as
>
> > bluegrass 2: Access *Local and Internet
>
> > None of this is displayed in my Windows XP machines
>
> > Who/what is responsible for identifying the network, what role does
> > that play in access to the network and how can I go about
> > troubleshooting this issue?
>
> > I'm planning to migrate wo Win 7 purely as a result of this issue, but
> > I guess I may commit a heinous act if it turns out that the problem
> > was in the hardware of my machine and migrating does not resolve this
> > issue.

Yes, we also have a microwave oven. However, at the time of signal
loss, neither of these are being used. Also, the machines running XP
(my control group) does not shift in/out of network access
continuously.