Connection keeps dropping on laptop

[bucketbetty]

I've had two netgear routers now and it still keeps dropping. I'm with Orange and it's happened almost as soon as I signed up with them. They've now sent me a Thomson adapter with a set up CD which won't set up on my laptop. I don't know why, it just won't pick up the CD fully. I think there's something wrong with my laptop but my wireless connection also drops on my mobile phone which might suggest it's the Orange wireless connection. I really can't discuss the matter with Orange any further. They take me through the same instructions each time and I suspect they don't really know very much. Any ideas anyone? Any idea what I can do with the Thomson adapter - and does anyone know what the adapter is for?

Hi tribpot. I've checked and I am password protected. I've managed to get my phone back online too by connecting to the router using my password. I don't have my old router because I had to send it back to 02. I do have 2 netgear routers though and the dongle. I thought I might go back to my original settings on my laptop but I need to download my photos and can't remember the password for my thingy that allows me to download (I'm so technical). I've just got home and have a glass of wine and Twilight to relax to. I may give it all another go tomorrow night. You're fabulous tribpot.

I'm not sure I totally get what the downloading of photos has to do with anything but I'm sure a dose of the Sparkly Vampire will have put your mind at ease (please don't read the complete slating we gave him on another thread about how Buffy could have kicked his sorry sparkly arse all the way til sunrise!)

So when the connection drops out, the green line is lit (which means the router thinks it's still connected) and it's not a temporary blip, i.e. doesn't sort itself out quickly. Is there any other possible pattern, like does it drop out when the phone rings, suggesting the filter's not separating the voice channel and the broadband channel properly? I think it's probably worth trying a new filter for the sake of a few quid to see if it makes any difference. But I really do think it's a problem at Orange's end. You could maybe call them and refuse to be drawn into any discussions about wireless networks, the fact is it happens when you're physically connected to the router through a cable. So the wireless gubbins in the house is a red herring.

Hi tribpot. I thought if I wiped my computer I would lose my photos so tried to put them on a stick but I ve forgotten the password for my stick because I've never used it. Typically me. I agree with your idea and when I can stand it I will ring orange again. I don't hold out my hope. I'm sadly unimpressed. Thanks for your support. It's been very much appreciated. I hear what you're saying about buggy but she's not nearly as cute as Mr cullen. I just can't help it.

Buffy not buggy.

God, I don't think you want to wipe your computer, betty. That doesn't even seem to be relevant to the problems you're having (i.e. if I came round and attached my laptop to your wireless network - or indeed plugged a cable into the router - I'd have the same problem). Definitely don't wipe your computer because of this problem.

At a minimum, if you think it might be a problem with the laptop, you can go to a Recovery Point in Windows where it will revert it to earlier settings, but I don't think you want to do that either.

For myself, the next thing I would want to do is look at the error message the router will be writing in its log file when the connection carks it. I'd be surprised if there was nothing in there, even if the light is staying lit. You got to the login page last time, were there no boxes to enter a username and password? If it's never been changed, I'm pretty sure the username will be admin and the password password.

If you can have a look to see what kind of router it is (some kind of number will prob be printed on the book) we should be able to find the right manual online to see where the logfiles are stored. Have you looked at this page for their tips on troubleshooting?

Found manual using link. I'll spend some time on it tomorrow night. Thanks nuch. Fingers crossed ill sort it out. I have another router in my loft. I think its my old bt one which I never had any bother with. Should I give it s go?

It might be worth a try, but first I would see if you can find out what the Orange router is saying when the connection carks it, as it could be very hassly to get the other router working, and no doubt the fine folk at Orange will deny all liability if you're not using their equipment or one they support, yadda yadda.

I'd also recommend trying some different filters, if you know what kind you have currently. I seem to recall they are cheap as chips.

Tried 2 filters now and still the same. Router doesn't seem to say anything, lights still on etc. If I don't end up with a tonne of work to take home with me ill go through the manual tonight, otherwise I'm away the weekend so ill have to Di it next week. It's a bloody pain in tje but

I think, given the difficulty of getting through to someone at Orange who can properly test the line, resurrecting your old router to see if it makes a difference is probably as good a test as any. Next time it drops out, though, can you confirm that your laptop and phone die at the same moment?