SR Experiencing Wireless Problems

Hello. I'm having issues with my SR420's wireless connection. I'm running Vista (64-bit) and my wireless adapter is the Intel WiFi Link 5100 AGN. My router is a Linksys WRT54G.

The problem: My connection overall is flaky, unless I'm within 20 feet of the router. The connection drops intermittently, but when I'm able to maintain one, my system reports speeds of 1-2 Mbps. I'm confident the router isn't the issue because I have two other laptops in the house (both running Vista—one 32-bit, another 64-bit) that have no issues connecting or maintaining a connection. Both are able to maintain speeds of 54 Mbps (I've run speed tests on all three systems to verify).

What I've tried:

1. I've updated the drivers.
2. I've updated my router's firmware.
3. I've synchronized the settings between my adapter and router (same channel and wireless mode) to ensure compatibility.E
4. I adjusted the adapter's power settings to maximum power, so there's no power saving mode preventing it from operating at full capacity.

This leads me to believe that my VAIO may have some sort of hardware deficiency, either with the adapter itself or the placement of the antenna. As I've stated, I have two other laptops to compare performance with, so I'm confident it is not a router issue. However, the adapter itself seems to work fine as long as I'm within a certain distance, so I also suspect that perhaps there's something I'm missing that's limiting my ability to roam.

Any suggestions?

 

Amophous,

I had the same situation with my VAIO. I have a TT 180 which comes with the same Intel 5100 card as your SR. After returning a number TT's (which I thought were defective), I've fixed the issue by:

1) Upgraded the route to DIR-655 (Full N support)
2) Set the power to the wireless card to Maximum Performance (anything less causes drops)
3) I'm running driver ver 12.4.0.21

Interestingly enough I don't have any issues using public Wi-Fi (Starbucks, library, etc). I've read somewhere the drops are due to encryption. I use WPA2. None of the public Wi-Fi I've used of course has encryption. I'm not brave enough to try running my Wi-Fi network without encryption.

Last but not least, does your SR have 3G (eg Verizon, Sprint) built in? Mine does and the none 3G versions of the TT does not seem to have the same dropping issues.

Hope this helps.

Best.

Jg

 

Thanks for your response.

As I already stated, I adjusted the power scheme of the wireless adapter, so I know that isn't the issue. I'm also running the latest drivers.

Are you saying you bought a wireless router? Could it be that it's simply my router causing problems? I'm doubtful because it works fine when I'm within a certain range. If it were entirely the router, would I not have problems simply connecting to it?

I've had similar results running my router with no encryption, so I know encryption is not the problem.

And my SR does not have 3G support built in.

This is really frustrating because I don't know if I should exchange the system for a new one. It would be especially frustrating if the new one I would receive would experience similar problems.

 

I used to have issues too, but that was only when I was connecting to my university network. Lately, my computer has been good (knock on wood).

 

I have pretty much the same issue, actually. I have a brand new SR 430, and the same router, WRT54G. I am inclined to believe it has something to do with the router, but I haven't messed around too much.

Typically, I have no problem connecting at first, and everything generally works for about 15-20 minutes. After that, my browsers don't work at all, although chat programs usually do. After resetting the router, it works most of the time. In addition, I have issues with other devices like my PS3, which can't even see the router on a list of available networks, yet has no issues connecting to the internet...pretty odd if you ask me.

I'm using a 128-bit(i think) wep key for security, but other than a few ports being forwarded, the router is at default settings.

Edit: Laptop has no issues connecting to my school network and one at a local cafe either, so I'm inclined to place the blame on some quirk of the router.

 

Well, I have another laptop that's running an identical OS and the same wireless adapter on the same router with no problems whatsoever. Therefore I'm inclined to believe there's definitely something weird going on with the VAIO.

 

I think it has something to do with that particular router and network card. I had an Asus laptop about 5 months ago with the same card and same router and it experienced the same issue as well.

 

I read somewhere that someone suggested disabling the IPv6 network drivers for the network adapter. I haven't had a chance to try it, but it might be something to check into if you have constant connection problems.

 

I had the same issue with my 2 week old SR 490. It's not the computer. It's the router. I have taken my notebook to various public wifi locations such as Panera Bread, Starbucks, etc. The laptop connects fine to the public wifi spots, and it never drops the signal.

Solution:

I called Comcast and initially they wanted to come over to mess with the current router which is a crapy Netgrear. I was able to get a connection once the Tech left, but an hour later it completely dropped and remained local access only.

I called Comcast shortly after and yelled at them for not changing the router. I told them that the current router wasn't compatible with Vista 64 bit. The Rep apologized and said that she couldn't get a Tech out until 3 days later . The Tech came and I insisted that the router be changed.

Outcome:

I wanted them to replace the current Netgear router with a Linksys, but Comcast does not readily have these available, because the have a contract with Netgear.

The Tech installed a brand new Netgear router. It wasn't the typical router with the Coaxial port, so he had to do a piggy back configuration through my Comcast phone router.

It's DAMN fast!! Compared to that older Netgear router. It never drops the connection either.

 

Just an update for anyone who's curious. Apparently my initial hunch was right: the wireless adapter was to blame. A Sony tech came by yesterday and replaced it and it's been smooth sailing ever since.

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

I sometimes have a problem just at home. I also have a wrt54G router from linksys. My internet sometimes just goes away and I have a "resolving host" message in my browsers. After this, pages I go to can't be found. Usually all I have to do is turn wireless on and off and it gets fixed. I have no idea what's wrong, but it seems to be with my internet/network and not my computer. I don't think its the same problem you're having though.