Internet Keeps Disconnecting

[fullbug]

I'm not sure anyone can help me with this problem, my internet provider cant seem to, but will give it a shot....
Microsoft Windows XP Pro
Version 2002
Service pack 1
Intel Pentium 2 processor
400 MHz
128 MB of Ram
Just got a new laptop, so I ordered a wireless modem from Bell Sympatico, now the internet seems to log off every 10 minutes or so, sometimes closing the browser and restarting works, sometimes not and I have to reboot, this is starting to drive me crazy, I have been on the phone with Bell at least 10 times, the other night for two and a half hours, they seem to fix the problem and then an hour later it happens again, thats the reason I have been on the phone with them so much, I'm on a SpeedStream wireless 6520....
The laptop gets cut off the net sometimes, but not nearly as much, I have run tons of virus and malware scans, like Panda, Ewido, Adaware, Spybot, Anti-Virus, makes no difference, before I got the wireless modem I had zero problems connecting with the internet and staying connected, any suggestions? God knows Bell cant seem to fix the problem....

[Raptor]

How far away is the Wireless sender? Is it a router or an Access point? Is there anything that could interfere with the signal?

How is the signal strength rated by Windows and the software you have installed?

Have you tried testing the wireless receiver on another laptop or closer to the router/AP to see if it is faulty?

[fullbug]

How far away is the Wireless sender?

Its right next to the computer....

 Is it a router or an Access point? Is there anything that could interfere with the signal?

Its a router, at least thats what Bell calls it, as far as anything interfering with the signal, not that I know of....


How is the signal strength rated by Windows and the software you have installed?

Wireless Internet Connection
Speed: 54.0 Mbps
Signal Strength: Excellent

Have you tried testing the wireless receiver on another laptop or closer to the router/AP to see if it is faulty?

No, dont have another laptop handy, according to Bell the Modem/Router is the best model they have....I am assuming the modem/router is in the same device, I'm a little vague on what the difference is between the two....

[Raptor]

Bell telling you it is the best model they have doesn't necessarily mean that it is not damaged. You should test it in another Laptop.

You didn't answer all of my questions regarding signal, is the signal strength at an all time excellent? How far away from the router is your laptop and how many objects are between you and the laptop?

[fullbug]

According to the icon in my system tray, the signal strength is 'Excellent', is says that on both computers, the router is 1 foot away from my laptop, and is right next to my normal computer, my normal computer is the one giving me the most problems....

[fullbug]

Here is a window of my network settings box, not sure if that would help, I am going crazy with this problem....

[2k_dummy]

Turn off what you don't need. Microsoft client for networks/properties.....disable log on to domain server. If you don't use file and printer sharing, uncheck it. You likely don't need Qos packet scheduling. That close to the wireless router, you might get a strong signal even cross channel. Make sure the card and router are set to the same channel.

[fullbug]

Turn off what you don't need. Microsoft client for networks/properties.....disable log on to domain server. If you don't use file and printer sharing, uncheck it. You likely don't need Qos packet scheduling. That close to the wireless router, you might get a strong signal even cross channel. Make sure the card and router are set to the same channel.

How would I make sure the card and router are set to the same channel?
I'm not sure what you mean by disable log on to domain server, I'm still trying to learn this stuff...I disabled the Qos packet and printer and file sharing....Are you saying I dont need the Microsoft client for networks/properties turned on?

[fullbug]

One more question, since I'm on wireless should this connections box be empty?

[Raptor]

Ofcourse, you haven't got a Dial-up connection and neither do you have a Virtual Private Network.

[fullbug]

Just checking, I am grasping at straws at this point....

[Raptor]

Are both the computer and the laptop loosing their signal?

You should first verify that all your devices are using the same channel  as suggested by Dumm2yk (Refer to the Router and Wireless NIC card manual for more details on how to do so) and if so, try changing to a different channel. Perhaps someone nearby is transmitting on the same channel.

[2k_dummy]

Are you saying I dont need the Microsoft client for networks/properties turned on?

Click on the item and then properties. Uncheck log on to domain server. Changes made in network properties generally require a reboot to become effective.

[fullbug]

Click on the item and then properties. Uncheck log on to domain server. Changes made in network properties generally require a reboot to become effective.

I cant seem to do that, when I click on properties this is what comes up....

[fullbug]

Are both the computer and the laptop loosing their signal?

You should first verify that all your devices are using the same channel  as suggested by Dumm2yk (Refer to the Router and Wireless NIC card manual for more details on how to do so) and if so, try changing to a different channel. Perhaps someone nearby is transmitting on the same channel.

The laptop cuts out sometimes, but nowhere near as much as my desktop is doing....
How do I refer to the router and wireless NIC card manual? I may have an idea how to do that, I will check that out....