Bad wireless connection on my computer.

Hey everyone,
I just have a question regarding my wireless internet connect.

I own a Sager NP5750-V Notebook Computer with an Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection card. Current driver version: 10.1.0.13 (which is the one that came with the computer a few years ago).

My problem is that I often get a low signal and disconnected from my home wireless network. By often I mean multiple times daily to the point that it's very annoying.
I thought that maybe I just had a bad signal in my room. However, over the last week I have been using my roommates computer (a Dell, I can get more information on it and its wireless card if needed) and I've had no connection problems. None at all, signal strength would always be good and never got disconnected while I was using it.

So I'm just wondering what's causing the poor performance on my computer? I tried updating the drivers to the latest version (12.1.2.1) but I'm not even connecting to the network when I do that. I revert back to the old drivers and I connect but same poor connection.
So is it just due to the fact that I have an old card? Or is there something else I can do.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thank you.

 

Poor/weak signal can be caused by several reasons. Most NB have a panel that need to be remove to access the wireless card. I would suggest powering down, remove the battery and ac connection. Try to start to drain any power remaining. Then open and remove the card and re-install it. This will clean up any bad connections it may have, do not touch the contacts. Heat is another issue that can cause problems. If you have not throughly cleaned the cooling system on your NB, I would also do that.

Then depending on your router you may a MFG miss match. Which does happen from time to time. Intel cards are normally pretty good.

It use to be on intel hardware you had to upgrade in way the updates were released. Being that most of there drivers were patches. If you had a full driver package try uninstalling the original one first. reboot, then install the latest release. Also check with the Sager to see if they have an updated driver. When you install Intel they normally have there own location manager. You can only use/load 1, choose MS or Intel. Most like the MS better.

 

Thanks for the reply.
I'll try re-installing the card sometimes in the near future.
As for the the cooling system, it's been cleaned yesterday so heat should not be an issue. But I'll clean it all up again when I open it up to re-install the card.

I also plan on formatting my computer soon (probably shortly after Christmas). So I'll try installing the latest drivers first and hopefully they will work fine. The drivers listed on Sager's website is the ones I currently use (10.1.0.13).
What exactly do you mean by location manager? MS or Intel? You mean how I choose to set up my wireless connection? I never install the Intel program, just the drivers and use MS to configure my wireless networks.

Again thanks for the input.

 

Since your friend’s notebook is working fine it may not be a problem with the Wireless signal; but anyway, try changing the Wireless channel/frequency of the router. This can help if the your wireless signal is interfered by another device transmitting on the same frequency.

 

Actually, try to set your wireless card to the same channel of your friend and report result.

 

The card matches the router, so if the router is broadcasting on channel 4, the card will use channel 4. All computers connected wirelessly to the same router will all be on the same channel.

 

Good point, then probably the card has some issues or is not connected well either at the antennas or the baseband interface level.

 

To the OP: you might try using the Intel application instead of the Windows wireless manager. When I had the 3945 and XP, I found I had better connections when I used the Intel app.

 

Install Network Stumbler, set Midi sound on. Signal strength is converted into a pitched tone. Move around and see where the signal gets better/worse. Do the same with the other laptop - note the decibel readings. Compare!

Antenna's are everything with reception. Check the antenna connection on your wireless card.

 

I don't know if this will work but tweak the setting of your wireless card. Only choose b/g, disable 'a'. Disable 'allow system to turn off wireless card'. And lastly you can choose between signal for best 'bandwidth' or 'roaming'. Mine has these options.