Why do I keep losing my wireless internet connection?

[schnapps]

I've had virgin wireless internet for about 2 months with no problems at all, but now all of a sudden I keep losing the connection. I've had to go through the installation process again which works but after a few minutes I lose the connection, and when I look at the available wireless connections I can see upto 5 different connections, but not mine. I've currently got the wire plugged in from the the router to my laptop.

Does anyone know what might be wrong?

...and out of the 5 wireless connections that my laptop is picking up, one of those is unsecured, and I managed to access that no porobs!

Stupid question but have you switched on and off the router???? Is your wifi in your laptop built-in?

Yes, I've trid turning the router on and off. Wifi? means nothing to me my laptop is wireless enabled without me having to pug anything in - is that what you mean?

have you recently downloaded anything from microsoft. i got an update from them a couple of weeks ago which totally screwed up my wireless. had to do a system restore and switch off automatic updates.

Yep that's what I mean.Sorry . Could be one of two things. a. the software on the router is the problem so it keeps re-setting itself or b. the wireless setting on your computer is the problem. My guess is that the routing is failing. Normally laptops are okay unless little fingers can find the switch to switch of wifi - my ds2 is great at that... Would suggest if it's done it again after a re-install that you contact viring wireless. Mind you if the problem's just been today, wait as BT Yahoo's been down all day so it could be the reason. Did you get the router from Virgin?

Yes, the router is from virgin, but I've had this problem for about 3 days now.

no, I've not downloaded anything.]#'

ooops, cat walked over keyboard

Well unless you've made any setting changes on your computer or had a virus, would start with Virgin and the router. Shouldn't have to re-install, sometimes you have to hard start i.e. unplug if the service hands and then switch on again after 1min. But re-install definitely losing settings. Get onto them - it's under warranty and it must be the proverbial pain in the whatsit. Sorry haven't got an instant fix.

Okay, thank you for the replies, will phone virgin tomorrow

Keep my posted if I think of anything else will post

is your computer set to let microsoft update itself automatically? you may have downloaded their most recnet service pack and been unaware of it. i'm only pressing the point because your symptoms sound exactly the same as mine, even down to being able to log on to other unsecured connections...

recent. not recnet.

aithch, I'm not sure. How would I know if I have downloaded it without realising?

Also, I've been on and off the internet all day and had no problems with connecting at all, until the last 20 minutes or so. I've also had problems with my sky signal for the last 20 minutes (well, actually for the last couple of months, but has been okay for the last week and is now playing up again - sky man said it's because of a tall tree in the way!) could they be related at all? Maybe down to the tree? or bt phone line?

aithch, I'm not sure. How would I know if I have downloaded it without realising?

Also, I've been on and off the internet all day and had no problems with connecting at all, until the last 20 minutes or so. I've also had problems with my sky signal for the last 20 minutes (well, actually for the last couple of months, but has been okay for the last week and is now playing up again - sky man said it's because of a tall tree in the way!) could they be related at all? Maybe down to the tree? or bt phone line?

if you allow microsoft to automatically update itself then it goes online without you seeing it and downloads new software or patches. out of interest, if you do a system restore (go through accessories, then system tools) to before the point when the problem started you will at least establish if it is a download problem. it won't affect any docs or emails but it will wipe any programmes etc that you have loaded in the timeframe so you may have to reload your virgin disc.
i can't comment on the tree thing, but it does sound like a bit of a coincidence that sky is playing up too, doesn't it? i hate having telecoms problems, all the companies just say it isn't them. happened to us for about a year, i bought three new phones and eventually bt 'fessed up that it was their fault. tiresome.

Well, I phoned virgin broadband technical support taday. The person I spoke to asked me some questions and said that it is a problem with my laptop, and that he therefore can't offer me any support - what a blimming cop-out! It seemed like the standard fob-off for if they don't know what the problem is - grrr!
I asked him how does he know that it's my laptop, could it be a problem with the router [no], how does he know it's not etc, and he just kept saying that it definitely can't be a problem with the router, that it definitely is a problem with my laptop, and that he can't help me.

When I told him what the lights on the router were doing he changed his tune and said 'oh, right, well it souldn't be doing that, maybe it could be the router... phone this number..'

So, I phoned the manufacturers of the router, the person I spoke to was very helpful, said that the router is faulty and that a new one is on it's way.

So there! Virgin technical support person was cr*p, just wanted to pass the blame elsewhere and get me off the phone!

So, anyway, hopefully new router will do the trick. Will let you know if it cures the problem