Intel 3945 Card Drops Connection

About a month or so ago, my laptop started dropping its wireless connection. Sometimes it won't connect at all, sometimes it will connect if the power cord is plugged in or the battery is fully charged, but then after half an hour it drops the connection and won't re-connect. This happens in both Windows XP and Ubuntu, so I don't think drivers are the issue.

I've opened a trouble ticket, updated the drivers, updated the Pro Wireless manager software, and adjusted the "Power Saving Polling" for the 3945 card as suggested by Intel here, but none of that has helped.

I even bought a newer, "range-boost" Linksys router, but that didn't help. It is definitely not the network, as other, older laptops connect and maintain the connection flawlessly.

Until I can get Sager on the phone, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

M.A.

 

Which Sager model do you have?

 

I don't know if this could be a loose connection, but it might help if you or Sager could make sure the wiring is all in order.

 

I have the Intel 3945ABG card in my laptop and it works GREAT . Make sure that you have "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" unchecked on the Power Management tab.

 

I haven't done any searching around, so I may be wrong, but it might be a weak wireless card. I have an intel wireless card in my vaio (bought in 2003) and it constantly drops signal, particularly when I'm trying to download a big file.

 

Which driver version are you using for your Intel wireless card?

I am running version 11.1.1.11

 

Sager NP5760

Latest & greatest from Intel's site: Version 11.5.0.32 Date 11/7/2007

Tried that - see original post.

Sorry for the delay; I appreciate the responses so far.

 

I have the same card and the problem is in software that comes with the drivers if u use only the driver and manage your connection from windows
the problem is gone

 

Thanks for the input, but I don't think that's my problem. I've upgraded that manager tool, downgraded it, used Windows to manage wireless and it still happens. It also happens on Ubuntu -- I have a dual-boot setup --which makes me suspect hardware rather than software or drivers.

Gonna have to spend time on the phone with their support, much as I hate the whole phone support exercise in general.

 

Just wanted to update the status on this -- it appears to have been the card. Kudos to Sager tech support for their absolutely quick and painless handling of the problem. After I explained the issue and my attempt to resolve it, the support tech said that it did seem like a hardware issue.

He offered me several options: ship the laptop back for replacement of the card; or if I was comfortable with opening the laptop, either ship the card back or get an advance replacement (this required a hold on my credit card).

Since I was already missing my ability to work in bed (no pun intended ), I chose the last option. The package arrived quickly and included a prepaid UPS return label and the tech emailed me with detailed instructions with photos with the circles and arrows. Took me all of 30 minutes or so, and most of that time was spent peering with great curiosity at the innards after the cover was off.

Sager definitely has my future laptop business!