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Intermittent wireless connection

Topic started on Jul 31, 2004 11:37 AM , last reply on Mar 22, 2013 7:15 PM

in VAIO and Computing > Notebooks
duncanda
duncanda
4 posts since
Jul 31, 2004

Hi

I'd appreciate any advice. I have a new VGN-A195HP which detects and connects to a Belkin F5D6050 wireless network adapter. Both laptop and PC use XP. The problem is that the Vaio keeps dropping the connection, despite the signal being "Excellent". It drops for a few seconds then reconnects. It might go for 10 minutes before it drops or 2 minutes. Very frustrating. A 4 year old XP laptop, with a £15 wireless card never drops the connection. I have the latest Sony wireless driver. I operate it with Safenet VPN client, which I need to use. The 4 year old laptop doesn't use VPN. What's the problem?

Many thanks


  • kee-lo_
    33,090 posts since
    Oct 25, 2002
    Written on Jul 31, 2004 3:14 PM

    Check the settings in your firewall.
    Test it without a firewall but for a few mins.


    • Reply
  • TygerTyger
    TygerTyger
    3,057 posts since
    Apr 20, 2004
    Written on Jul 31, 2004 9:14 PM

    I have a similar problem, also using a Belkin hub, although it seems the problem is at Sonys end. On a USR hub the problem remains the same.

    The problem I have is that downloads seem to drop, but uploads carry on working regardless. If I didnt file share I would just think that both had dropped so have a look see if you are the same.

    I've heard people say that the wireless cards are the achilles heel of Sony laptops, does anyone know why my download function would freeze up but uploads would be fine? It's starting to give me grey hair.

    Just as a quick thought ducanda, check your hub doesn't have a low  lease renewal time, I can't remember exactly where in the settings it is sorry, it will be measured in milliseconds. For most people it should be set to zero or 31 thousand or so (the Belkin max)


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  • NigelR
    NigelR
    4 posts since
    Jul 31, 2004
    Written on Aug 1, 2004 10:56 AM

    Hello
    I could have written Duncanda's post myself with only a few changes to the hardware.
    I'm writing this on a VGN-a195EP which is connected wirelessly to a Netgear DG834G. The connection keeps on dropping but in this strange way; a balloon tip appears from the network icon in the task bar telling me that one or more network connections are available if I click on the balloon tip to see what these connections are, a network connetion box appears giving me the choice of connecting to only one connection, guess what ? it's my only existing network connection, and to add insult to injury if I don't click on that connection it drops it.(hope that made scense)
    I too have the latest drivers for the laptop and firmware for the Netgear and I have tried disabling the firewall, it still happens. Any help will be great.
    Ps. Why will this laptop not recognise my Belkin usb mouse? I have 2 other xp pro machines that do no problem.


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  • JoeB.
    JoeB.
    247 posts since
    Jan 22, 2004
    Written on Aug 1, 2004 11:29 AM

    hi folks,

    i have a though to ya's problem... there is a check option in your network card config that is somewhat called like... "allow windows to suspend device to save power" or something like it... have you checked this... could this be part of the problem????

    Joe


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  • TygerTyger
    TygerTyger
    3,057 posts since
    Apr 20, 2004
    Written on Aug 1, 2004 2:03 PM

    Good idea, but no luck. Mine is set to Constantly Awake, and is using 100% power.


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  • NigelR
    NigelR
    4 posts since
    Jul 31, 2004
    Written on Aug 1, 2004 3:09 PM

    I'm not reaching for the champagne yet but with Joe B's last posting in mind I checked power management setup in device manager the ethernet card has the sort of setting I think he was refering to. But I checked the Intel wireless 2200bg network connection. I changed the 'Infrastructure band selection' from 802.11g+80211b to 802.11g only, and for the last 2 hours I've be connected uninterupted @ 54 mbps!!!!!!!!(direct-ish line of site)
    No I don't know if this will work for all but it seems at the moment, to have given me a stable fast wire less connection.
    There is a power management option within the 2200bg but its configuration is beyond my knowledge so I left it set at auto.

    VGN-A195EP+Netgear DG834G XP Pro

    Good Luck
    PPS Why won't my Belkin USB mouse work on this laptop?


    • Reply
  • TygerTyger
    TygerTyger
    3,057 posts since
    Apr 20, 2004
    Written on Aug 1, 2004 4:31 PM

    Hooray great job Joe. My card unfortunately doesn't have that setting Give more details about the mouse in a new thread, see what people come up with.


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  • duncanda
    duncanda
    4 posts since
    Jul 31, 2004
    Written on Aug 2, 2004 11:50 AM

    Hi

    Many thanks for all your advice. Unfortunately none of it seems to work. I did check the settings for the wireless card; "11b/11g mixed environment protection" - set to CTS to self enabled, "IBSS Transmit Power" - set to Max, "Infrastructure Band Selection" - set to 802.11b only (my adapters are 802.11b), "Power Management" - set to Power Mode CAM (Max). Are these correct? I also didn't have XP firewall enabled. Any other suggestions? Think I'll fire off an email to Sony support as well.

    Cheers


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  • TygerTyger
    TygerTyger
    3,057 posts since
    Apr 20, 2004
    Written on Aug 3, 2004 9:19 PM

    Good luck ducanda. Let them know their e-support registration doesn't work.


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  • TygerTyger
    TygerTyger
    3,057 posts since
    Apr 20, 2004
    Written on Aug 6, 2004 12:53 PM

    Just with what I said about hearing the wireless card was Vaio's weak spot, I did a little experiment. I put a Compaq, a Toshiba and my Vaio next to each other and looked and the Windows signal strength meter. Guess which one was weaker than the rest


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  • duncanda
    duncanda
    4 posts since
    Jul 31, 2004
    Written on Aug 6, 2004 5:56 PM

    I've not had any response from Sony support.

    I tried an experiment and put a £15 unknown brand PCMCIA 802.11g card in the Vaio, made a new connection and hey presto, works just fine. No drop outs.

    I used a hotspot in London the other day, with the onboard wireless card, and no drop-outs. Also with the onboard card, I can't access the internet with a particular make and version of an access point. the Vaio detects it, but get through it!!! All very strange.


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  • TygerTyger
    TygerTyger
    3,057 posts since
    Apr 20, 2004
    Written on Aug 6, 2004 6:03 PM

    Well it's not that strange, it's just a fookin sheet card as the Liverpudlians would say. Well perhaps not that bad lol. What card did you get? I didn't know you could replace them I think I will probably do the same, see if it fixes my problem.
    What model vaio do you have?


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  • duncanda
    duncanda
    4 posts since
    Jul 31, 2004
    Written on Aug 7, 2004 7:29 PM

    Hi

    I have a Vaio VGN-A195HP.

    Just pop into your friendly PC World and get a PCMCIA card. I bought mine at a small local "cheapo IT stuff" shop which had an 802.11g brand called Peak, www.peakhardware.com, for £15, made in Taiwan. PC World will no doubt charge more for different brands.

    I just followed the card instructions. Once instructions are carried out, to use the PCMCIA card instead of the onboard wireless, my Vaio has a slide switch on the front. I just switched it off. Then look at your network connections. I think mine automatically created a 2nd wireless network connection. Just right-click the new connection and enable" it. that should be it.


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  • robxter
    robxter
    25 posts since
    Jul 17, 2004
    Written on Aug 7, 2004 8:32 PM

    Hi,
    no problem with my A115B Vaio and my zyxel 650hw ( 802.11b ) adsl wireless router ... full download and upload without intermittent connections. All the settings were  in default state .

    Bye ! ( maybe some problem with wifi mini-pci board ? )

    PS: no problem with wireless connections but one big problem with the lcd lamp !! the notebook is in a french repair centre !!...i'm waiting for it !


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