Could you help me with my wireless connection?

Question

I had to re-install windows on my computer, due to a virus problem.
When I finished re-installing everything, and clicked on the Wireless Network Connection icon that is on the bottom right hand side of my computer it didn't list any available networks, but said that Windows could not configure the wireless connection. It also said to look up an article in the Microsoft knowledge base. I did this (on a different computer, of coarse) and didn't really get anywhere with it. After some tinkering around, I finally found out that the knowledge base was telling me the right things, but in the wrong order. I now have to type %systemroot%\system32\services.msc /s into the run box, and then scroll down to Wireless Zero Configuration and then click start. From there I go back to the Wireless Network connection and click on "change advanced settings/wireless networks and then click on "use windows to configure my wireless network settings." I'm running out of room, I'll add more details.

Anyway, doing the above lets me connect to the internet for a time, but after a few hours, it disconnects.
I am trying to figure out why this is happening, and how I make it stay connected. Can you help me?

Answer 1

Do you know who the manufacturer of your wireless adapter is? It may be Dell or Intel or Netgear, etc. If you know, go to their website and download the software for the adapter. Install it and you should be fine. I had to deal with the exact same situation with a coworker. He reinstalled Windows and never reinstalled the software for his network adapter. It was an Intel. I went under Hardware Profiles and found that he had an Intel model something or other. I went to their website, found the software and drivers, downloaded them, installed them and he was up and running in seconds.

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

After you reinstalled Windows, did you reconfigure your Internet connection, and then, if you have one, setup a network once again? Are you using a router, or a modem with wireless capabilities. Or, instead, are you using a neighbors unsecured wireless connection?

When you reinstall the OS, you have to reconfigure everything, including your modem setup, then attaching any router you may be using, and running the Network Setup Wizard or the equalevant, in Vista.

Now, have you done any troubleshooting above reading the KB article? For example, have you went into your Event Viewer to locate any errors which are related to DHCP, or your adapter, such as stating it has been disconnected from the network, and it has been connected to the network, and other Network and Internet connection errors?

When you do, you can click on the links inside the description box of each error and receive further information, and perhaps more KB articles to help you out.

I recently had to use my Dell Recovery Partition, but, thankfully, failed to fully disconnect my modem and router before I started the Restore process. This created a situation where I didn't have to reconfigure my modem, router, and entire network. All I needed to do was reinstall my adapters software and drivers. I always use Windows to configure my adapter, so I haven't had to go in and activate the Wireless Zero Configuration service.

I reccomend you open Event Viewer, locate connection and/or network and/or adapter related errors, click on the links for the Help and Support website which often provides more information. Follow any steps to correct your issue.

You may need to update your adapters driver. Be very careful when you do so because updated drivers are the number one cause of BSOD. That is what crashed my system, I was updating my adapters driver. I had even set a manual retore point prior to the installaton of the new software and drivers, but to no avail.

If you can't get anywhere with the errors, then contact your routers manufacturer, or your ISP for further technical assistance. Hold on, here is some troubleshooting information areas on Help and How-to and Vista information, just sift through to locate what you need and discard the rest, or save them in your favorites for future use.

By the way, it sounds like you keep losing your IP address, which would indicate a DHCP issue. Here:

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/networking.mspx

http://support.microsoft.com/ph/11732

Good luck and I hope you fix your issue soon, please have a nice day.

*note* In the future, it would be of great help if you would give details on your system, such as what OS version you are using, what type of network setup you have going, the hardware manufacturer, etc. Thank you.