Wireless connection drops out - a hardware problem?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pete L
  • Start date Start date
P

Pete L

This has been a long term and annoying problem. I have a Sony Vaio
laptop. About six months ago I had the same problem - when I'm online
the internet drops out for a few seconds (with a ding-dong sound!) but
then reconnects. I might go for hours and days without this happening
but some days it's every 15 mins or so. It only appears to happen when
running wireless. As I write this I have a cable connection and no
drop out. Somebody gave me an answer to this months ago - here's what
he put....

Open Device Manager, open the properties on your wireless/Bluetooth
device, click the Power tab, and deselect "Allow the computer to turn
off this device to save power". The device might not have a power
tab..
--
Joe =o)

I've done that with no improvement and there doesn't seem to be any
other problems I can find. The wireless router is fine, my wife uses
her laptop with no drop outs. I can only imagine it must be a problem
with the receiver in my laptop. Is there a way of replacing it or
perhaps an easier route would be to get a USB plug in receiver?
 
Pete said:
This has been a long term and annoying problem. I have a Sony Vaio
laptop. About six months ago I had the same problem - when I'm online
the internet drops out for a few seconds (with a ding-dong sound!) but
then reconnects. I might go for hours and days without this happening
but some days it's every 15 mins or so. It only appears to happen when
running wireless. As I write this, I have a cable connection and no
drop out. Somebody gave me an answer to this months ago - here's what
he put....

Open Device Manager, open the properties on your wireless/Bluetooth
device, click the Power tab, and deselect "Allow the computer to turn
off this device to save power". The device might not have a power
tab..
--
Joe =o)

I've done that with no improvement and there doesn't seem to be any
other problems I can find. The wireless router is fine, my wife uses
her laptop with no drop outs. I can only imagine it must be a problem
with the receiver in my laptop. Is there a way of replacing it or
perhaps an easier route would be to get a USB plug in receiver?
Click to expand...

You could turn off the internal adapter, and use a USB wireless adapter
as a test; the internal one is possibly overheating.. Some models use
close to the USB hub limit of 500ma, and will get quite hot besides.
I've wondered if a powered USB hub will supply more current for them and
prevent their dropping out. I've suggested that to two individuals, but
they've never gotten back with me on whether it helped or not. Some
models use less current, about 200ma, but I couldn't find any with a
TigerDirect search that mentioned how much current they draw.

You might ask in a hardware newsgroup and get better suggestions.

Good luck,
 
You could turn off the internal adapter, and use a USB wireless adapter
as a test; the internal one is possibly overheating..  Some models use
close to the USB hub limit of 500ma, and will get quite hot besides.
I've wondered if a powered USB hub will supply more current for them and
prevent their dropping out.  I've suggested that to two individuals, but
they've never gotten back with me on whether it helped or not.  Some
models use less current, about 200ma, but I couldn't find any with a
TigerDirect search that mentioned how much current they draw.

You might ask in a hardware newsgroup and get better suggestions.

Good luck,
Click to expand...

Thanks Joe - same Joe from previous! The over heating idea is
interesting. Just looking now, I have 4 USB's plugged in from an
'expansion?' box. This box takes it's power from the laptop. I'll
investigate whether it can have it's own supply. I'll keep a note of
when the dropping out occurs to see if it is a case of things hotting
up. Thanks again for your help!
 
What you are using is a USB hub which gets its power from the USB port on
the computer. There is only a limited amount of power available through the
USB port. What you need is a powered USB hub (gets its power from the AC
line).
Jim
You could turn off the internal adapter, and use a USB wireless adapter
as a test; the internal one is possibly overheating.. Some models use
close to the USB hub limit of 500ma, and will get quite hot besides.
I've wondered if a powered USB hub will supply more current for them and
prevent their dropping out. I've suggested that to two individuals, but
they've never gotten back with me on whether it helped or not. Some
models use less current, about 200ma, but I couldn't find any with a
TigerDirect search that mentioned how much current they draw.

You might ask in a hardware newsgroup and get better suggestions.

Good luck,
Click to expand...

Thanks Joe - same Joe from previous! The over heating idea is
interesting. Just looking now, I have 4 USB's plugged in from an
'expansion?' box. This box takes it's power from the laptop. I'll
investigate whether it can have it's own supply. I'll keep a note of
when the dropping out occurs to see if it is a case of things hotting
up. Thanks again for your help!
 
Back
Top