Wireless adapter keeps disconnecting.

[joevh09]

I just bought an asus pce-n13 wireless pci adapter about 2 or 3 weeks ago. Ever since every so often it disconnects from the internet for no apparant reason. I tried 2 other usb adapters that had the same problem but did it much more frequently. It disconnects about 2 or three times a day. I've tried running it with and without the drivers for it but neither have helped and it has the latest drivers installed so I don't know anything else to do for it so I'm asking you guys.
My pc has Windows 7 64bit.

[Citizen Swooboo]

I am not sure about Win7 since I use XP, but I must have my wireless connection set as the Preferred Network, and disable all of my neighbor's networks I can pick up, to have a flawless connection.  Also the other software issue I can think of would be whether Windows is running your network, or if the card came with software to manage your internet connections for you... they will interfere with each other if both are trying to run simultaneously.

[joevh09]

I would do the preferred network but there's no where that I can find for that setting in win7 and since I live in the country I don't pick up any other internet signals other than one occasionally but its to week of a signal to connect to.

[joevh09]

Sorry for the double post but I'd like to get this fixed asap. Does anyone know of a way to make it my prefered network with win7 64bit and make it so only windows controls it not the software?

[jason2074]

Try here --> http://www.home-network-help.com/wlan-autoconfig-service.html
http://ask-leo.com/why_does_my_network_connection_drop_every_so_often.html

[jason2074]

See also here(bottom page) on preferred wireless connection --> http://www.home-network-help.com/how-to-connect-to-wireless-network.html

[truenorth]

It is my belief given your remoteness and access to basically only your own ISP that your problem is not likely related to the choice being made by your router as to the access point. I think it will be more likely related to an issue with your ISP providers service. Or alternatively your interaction between your wireless router and the ISP modem ( i am assuming a DSL or cable connection ISP). You might want to ask them if they are receiving any complaints re dropped signal. Also undoubtedly you may have relatively close proximity neigbours using the same ISP. I would inquire of them what their experiences are. While a "failure" to connect on DSL can be sometimes caused by modem data clogging (which can be cleared by disconnecting the modem on occasion to clear it) i am not aware of that causing disconnects while actually in use. Others may wish to comment on that. Given that apparently this has been an ongoing problem with different wireless routers i think it is more likely to be related to an ISP service issue. What is your data rate and your signal strength from your iSP? truenorth

[joevh09]

@Jason thanks for the help but none of those seemed to be the fix.
@Truenorth, I know its not the router or isp thats dropping the connection because all the other computers remain connected to the internet when mine drops. It has something to do with my wireless adapter I just can't figure out what it is that causes it.

[truenorth]

This new information coming only now is a significant omission from your 1st post telling us of your problem and certainly alters my suggestions and recommended actions. truenorth

[joevh09]

This new information coming only now is a significant omission from your 1st post telling us of your problem and certainly alters my suggestions and recommended actions. truenorth

And this helps me solve my problem how?

[navyfalcon]

Try using network stumbler to check the signal strength
It will also check the signal to noise level S/N
 info about net stumbler
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NetStumbler
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download site
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/netstumbler.html
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Also check the heat or temperature of the wireless adapter
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I had problems with my system and checked the signal strength and signal to noise level. You may need to change channels to improve this.
 Also I had problems with my network adapter that I traced down to heat, which made it unstable and cut out. You should be able to touch it after it has been on a while and not feel extremely hot. If it is still under warranty, you may want to exchange it. I had to exchange mine three times before I got a good one.
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Network Stumbler is a good tool if you know how to interpret the information.
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hope this helps
falcon

[joevh09]

I installed the network stumbler but it didn't seem to pick up my wireless adapter.
I pulled off my side panel and checked to see how hot the card was while it was running and it felt pretty cool so that doesnt seem to be an issue either.

[navyfalcon]

I installed the network stumbler but it didn't seem to pick up my wireless adapter.
I pulled off my side panel and checked to see how hot the card was while it was running and it felt pretty cool so that doesnt seem to be an issue either.

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Good, the adapter is cool. If it was a problem, the adapter would feel hot.
Network stumbler picks up the incoming signal, not your outgoing signal
It tells you the strength of the signal. It should pick up the presence of your
adapter if you are online and the adapter is active.
I have used it several times. You need to know how to use it and how to interpret the signal results.
Check someone elses unit to see what you should see.
You can take a snapshot of the screen
(press [PrtScrn] + [Shift] then use Microsoft Paint and "Edit and Paste" to display the screenshot then save). This will check the signal level and if your adapter is active (or online). Most adapters have their own display of signal and if the adapter is online.
Also Microsoft has its own system - check "control panel" - Administrative Tools - Services - Wireless Zero Configuration
http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/2007.html
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hope this helps
falcon

[BC_Programmer]

I don't pick up any other internet signals other than one occasionally but its to week of a signal to connect to.

Do you have a wireless access point?

[navyfalcon]

error, wrong post, please remove

[joevh09]

I would do the preferred network but there's no where that I can find for that setting in win7 and since I live in the country I don't pick up any other internet signals other than one occasionally but its to week of a signal to connect to.

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Try making a wifi antenna, they help with weak signals.
Search Google for "homemade wifi antenna". A fantastic one was made out of an old satellite antenna.

Reference
http://www.ehow.com/how_7244072_homemade-wi_fi-dish-antenna.html
http://www.binarywolf.com/249/wifi_antennas.htm
http://binarywolf.com/249/
http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/15/how-to-build-a-wifi-biquad-dish-antenna/
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hope this helps
falcon

Maybe I stated that wrong. I pick my up routers signal just fine (ussually 3 or 4 bars on the network icon). I don't pick up any other internet signals other than one signal from half a mile away when the wind is in the right direction.

And for the wireless access point, no, unless the wireless router is considered one?

[joevh09]

So I was going through my Norton settings checking for things that could be causing my problem and came across this...



I hope this might help because the times that are with those messages are the same times my adapter disconnects. I've also notice a bit of a pattern when I do disconnect, it seems to only do it when I'm playing an online video game so I think it has something to do with Norton but I'm 100% positive on that. Any one have any ideas?

EDIT: the picture doesnt want to turn out right so heres a link to it... http://tinypic.com/r/11l37ma/7

[truenorth]

It has been often stated on the CH forums that if one has Norton as their installed anti virus software they would be well advised to get rid of it. It is an extremely invasive and intrusive program. There are many free anti virus programs available that will not cause the adverse effects Norton does. Examples are Avira,Avast. and AVG as well as others. You could always download one of them (my personal preference is Avira) and without uninstalling Norton until you have tried it. But make sure that once your alternative is installed that you deactivate Norton as you must NOT have 2 running at the same time. See if that makes a difference in your connection drops. truenorth

[joevh09]

This is the newest norton (the 360 version) and from experience and from my friends that have it, it is much better than the old one. I just spent 60$ renewing it 3 weeks ago so unless someone gives me 60 bucks to uninstall it, I'm not getting rid of it. Even though I'm pretty sure norton may be the cause to it is anyone here familiar enough with it that might know how to adjust the settings so it doesn't disconnect me?

[truenorth]

An admirable objective "anyone here familiar enough with it that might know how to adjust the settings so it doesn't disconnect me?" but in the absence of that occurring or a significant delay you will note i did NOT advise removing it immediately. I was more concerned that you exercise a process to determine if indeed Norton is at the root of your issue. If nothing changes uninstall the alternative and go back to your Norton use. It is one of those rare instances where in the short term you CAN have your cake and eat it too. Unless of course  your issue is resolved with the alternative and no tweaking of Norton is available. Then you will have to make a choice. good luck,truenorth