Internet drops connection every time my wife uses her laptop.

I've run countless searches, but can't find specific examples of my problem, so hopefully you guys can help me out. First, this is my homes' wireless setup:

-Linksys Wireless G Router
-MSI Notebook (using Vista)
-Sony Notebook (using Windows 7)
-PS3 (using Wireless connection)

Now, for the not-so-in-depth details:

1. Whenever I am on any single device or up to all 3 (at the same time) all is good.

2. If I am using any 1 or 2 of the devices, and then start up another on the network, it crashes the internet connection.

3. The internet does not stay disconnected, I can reconnect within seconds, but it is annoying to no end and I have no idea why it does this or how to fix it...

Any ideas?

 

I am convinced that this is a problem with the router, but have no idea where to start solving it.

 

Is it the Internet that crashes (the modem?) or your connection to the router that is broken?

 

your wifes comp have some infection overloading the router ?

 

Probably your best bet is to try a different router. It will help isolate the problem. Just use Best Buy's good ol return policy.

 

Yea Im thinkin of just getting a newer router...my time is worth far more than money lol.

 

In this case, the time isn't worth it because it probably isn't even something the end user can fix.

 

This used to happen on my Linkysys WRT54G router a long time ago. I think i fixed it by changing the firmware to DD-WRT.

Kenji what wireless mode and security are you using?

 

I was going to suggest first updating the firmware on the router, which is kind of the direction flipfire took too. But you don't have to go to open firmware, Linksys's latest firmware would actually be a good start.

 

I just updated to the most recent firmware (1.02.7), I'll give it a few days to see if it works.

The wireless mode Im using is Mixed and WEP for security.

 

Well, i recently bought a D-Link DIR-855 and none of my notebooks would work properly.
(Using Windows 7)
My linux box, my PS3 Phat and my Wii connected and worked well.
The solution?
A simple firmware flash fixed the problem.
Im using WPA2-AES encryption.

 

You need to drop WEP and switch to WPA(2) AES. WEP can cause problems....

 

If he's using Mixed, it's likely he has devices that may not support WPA(2) TKIP (AES).

 

But would the security really be that much of an issue? I mean, isn't it there to just allow/permit access?

The problem I've been having is that everything connected to the router would disconnect (and reconnect) after another device connected. I havent had time to test out the new firmware to see if it worked, been really busy the passed couple days and super lazy at the same time, but I'll post back here if it worked later tonight.

 

Which security protocol you use may not affect your problem. But your problem is odd and rare enough that we should go through the whole gauntlet of diagnostic options.

 

Do a quick test and drop off all Security on the wireless and see it the problem clears.

 

Just an update, the firmware seemed to have fixed all the problems, I havent been experiencing any dropped connections recently.

 

Nice.

Now send me a check for all of my "hard work."

 

You? I don't recall you suggesting a firmware change

 

Shhh!!!!!!!

 

You do realize that wireless activity can be effected by a variety of things. It should say so in the instruction that interference can effect connectivity.

In any event, is there a more stable system that you're comparing it to? I know my signal varies in reliability thorughout the day.

 

10 bucks says her laptop has Limewire or some other file sharing program starting up with the system.

 

i had this exact issue with 2 gx620's. it turned out to be that both systems had the same name and for some reason the router thought they were the same connection. when one connected it dropped out the other. turned out it was from having 2 es 5300's that had the same mac address. did you install any wireless cards in your system or did they come with them. check the mac of both and make sure they are not the same also rename one of the systems so they are different. this fixed the issue with mine