I have a computer running Windows XP SP3 that is connected to the Internet using a Belkin 802.11g wireless router and wireless adapter. It seems to randomly lose its connection to the Internet every few minutes and often regains it a few minutes later. If I’m downloading a large file, the connection goes out very quickly. Rebooting the computer always restores the connection. The thing is, the network icon still shows that the computer is connected with a very good signal strength and it can still communicate with the router and share files with the other computer on the network. That computer is connected to the router by wire and doesn’t have this problem. Shutting down Webroot Internet Security Essentials doesn’t have any effect. What could be causing this problem?
It could be that the channel your wireless router is on has too much interference from neighboring devices. Try changing it. In wifi there are only three non-overalling channels: 1, 6, and 11. If you are on 6 move to either 1 or 11.
If that doesnt work, see if there’s a firmware upgrade for your router or a driver update for your wireless card.
We have three computers on a wireless network here at the house. Two are running XP and one Vista. With XP, the wireless network connection icon in the tray will only show connection to the local network. On the machine with Vista, the wireless connection icon shows “Local only” or “Local and internet”. This would be why yours still shows a good connection and signal strength. Basically, there are two connections that need to be made, one from computer to network and one from network to web. I was having issues and replaced the router. Fortunately, I didn’t have to buy one as the one I’m using is supplied by the cable company.