Dropping Connections

[MMBarreca]

We recently set up a wireless network. There is only one wireless laptop (running XP Pro) while the rest of the network is hardwired. They are using both an Intel wireless card as well as an Intel access point so that they can be encrypted at 128 bits.

The access point is in the office where the laptop primarily resides. Even with the AP being in the room, the laptop drops from the network.

The only software being used is based in SQL so I ran a script to increase the security timeout to rule this problem out. There appears to be no RF interference but cannot confirm that it doesn't exist.

Any ideas on how to correct this dropping issue? Thanks!

[Greenstead]

You might try the solution at the end of this thread:
http://forums.practicallynetworked.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1242

Also ensure you have the latest firmware and drivers for both AP and wireless card.

[MMBarreca]

Thanks for the link to that article. I don't see which MS articles the gentleman's wife read but we are in the process of verifying that the firmware is up to date and will be checking some settings in the AP and card as well.

On a side note, I've been researching the AP and card that our sales person (who doesn't know wireless either) purchased and stated was "the most current". The Intel site stated that the AP could be configured for 802.11a OR 802.11b. We found a copy of the CD (they sent 2 of the same CD) and I pulled all of the manuals and found that this AP is 802.11a and there are no directions on how to configure for 802.11b. I went back to the Intel site and found the previous APs and cards that were used and they are listed as current as well. When I asked sales who told her that the 802.11b series wasn't current, she told me Dell.

Since 802.11b is what will become 802.11g (unless I'm wrong here), does it seem odd that "Dell" would recommend an 802.11a AP? This sounds like Dell pushing something to me.

Thanks again!