please delete

Hello, I have a new windows 8 laptop and every couple of minutes the internet connection goes to "limited" and if I simply disconnect and reconnect from the network it starts working again, but then disconnects again in about 5-10 minutes. This is extremely annoying and none of our Windows 7 computers do this. Some days it is worse than others. Can someone help me? Thanks.

I honestly don't think this has got anything to do with Windows. Is this connection wired?

alext180 said:

I don't know if the connection is wired or not :S

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Oh my!

Check if there is a cable like this connected to this pc with internet issues:

Let me rephrase the question: Is this connection wireless or wired?

If this is a "New Laptop" that came preinstalled with Windows 8.

It usually pays to visit the Windows update center and see what they have for you, could be driver updates and other fixes.

You might also want to uninstall any third party anti virus software that probably came preinstalled on your laptop as they seem to be famous for causing problems.

I'll say this has to do with the location of your pc/laptop. Move it to a place where it gets closer to the router, or buy a powerful wireless USB adapter. I had the same problem and it was definitely solved after acquiring this N adapter, they are kinda cheap.

And no, you won't need any anti-virus app if you're running Windows 8.

alext180 said:

offroad said:

alext180 said:

I don't know if the connection is wired or not :S

Click to expand...

Oh my!

Check if there is a cable like this connected to this pc with internet issues:View attachment 14091

Let me rephrase the question: Is this connection wireless or wired?

Click to expand...

Then nope, the connection is definitely wireless/

chev65 said:

If this is a "New Laptop" that came preinstalled with Windows 8.

It usually pays to visit the Windows update center and see what they have for you, could be driver updates and other fixes.

You might also want to uninstall any third party anti virus software that probably came preinstalled on your laptop as they seem to be famous for causing problems.

Click to expand...

I'll try to install any updates for Windows I can find, and I guess I could try uninstalling McAfee.

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If you are working with a fairly low wireless signal I wouldn't expect the connection to be reliable unless you do some tuning. If you are using the older 802.11g standard then I wouldn't expect good performance with Windows 8.

When you uninstall McAfee be sure and use it's special uninstallation tool. McAfee is famous for causing connection problems and does so on a regular basis around here. :huh:

Use the McAfee uninstall tool or it's not really gone.

McAfee Removal Tool - McAfee Uninstaller

Hey,

What type of laptop do you have (make+model)? Is your WiFi connection an open connection or password protected?
Are your drivers up to date and functioning properly?

alext180 said:

chev65 said:

Use the McAfee uninstall tool or it's not really gone.

McAfee Removal Tool - McAfee Uninstaller

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Uninstalled McAfee using that tool and it didn't work. Still disconnects.

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You might try installing the Xirrus WiFi inspector to see which channels your neighbors are using. You can post the results here if you can't decide which channel to use. This will also show me which security and encryption you are using.

Wi-Fi Inspector | Xirrus

Posting a screen shot of the ipconfig/all from this machine might also be helpful.

In the taskbar, where your WIFI connections are shown, be sure your channel is the one for your WIFI and not a neighbor's. This has happened to me and it takes a little patience to figure it out but you'll get it!

alext180 said:

chev65 said:

alext180 said:

Uninstalled McAfee using that tool and it didn't work. Still disconnects.

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You might try installing the Xirrus WiFi inspector to see which channels your neighbors are using. You can post the results here if you can't decide which channel to use. This will also show me which security and encryption you are using.

Wi-Fi Inspector | Xirrus

Posting a screen shot of the ipconfig/all from this machine might also be helpful.

Click to expand...

Well I'm using a WPA2-PSK security thing, what do you mean by channel?

Also here's the ipconfig/all

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Channel as in the wireless channel which can be changed in your routers wireless set up page. Often times you need to change the channel in order to get away from channel overlap created by your neighbors connection.

I'd have to see the Xirrus read out in order to help you with this.

For testing it might also help to go into Device Manger and disable the Bluetooth Ethernet connection and the Msoft Virtual WiFi mini port adaptor.

It also may help to switch to the 802.11n only setting in your routers wireless set up page.

Try switching to a channel that's free with no other users. However I'm pretty sure the problem your experiencing has to do with driver updates. As I mentioned earlier it would be helpful if you knew the make/model of the laptop your using.

alext180 said:

chev65 said:

alext180 said:

Well I'm using a WPA2-PSK security thing, what do you mean by channel?

Also here's the ipconfig/all

Click to expand...

Channel as in the wireless channel which can be changed in your routers wireless set up page. Often times you need to change the channel in order to get away from channel overlap created by your neighbors connection.

I'd have to see the Xirrus read out in order to help you with this.

For testing it might also help to go into Device Manger and disable the Bluetooth Ethernet connection and the Msoft Virtual WiFi mini port adaptor.

It also may help to switch to the 802.11n only setting in your routers wireless set up page.

Click to expand...

Well I don't know how to switch to the 802.11n only setting and in Device Manager I didn't see any Bluetooth Ethernet connection or Msoft virtual wifi mini port adaptor(I only saw Bluetooth "enumerators"). Also, I installed Xirrus and it's telling me that I'm on the same channel as only one other network, one at the very bottom is on the same channel as me (channel 2)

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The Bluetooth and Virtual WiFi adaptor are both located in Device Manager, you may need to go to View at the top of page then select "show hidden devices" you need to disable both of those for testing or you will be chasing your tail here all day long.

In order to access your routers setting you will need to type 192.168.1.1 into the URL of your browser. I'd also like to see a screen shot of Xirrus.

alext180 said:

Nicholas said:

Try switching to a channel that's free with no other users. However I'm pretty sure the problem your experiencing has to do with driver updates. As I mentioned earlier it would be helpful if you knew the make/model of the laptop your using.

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So how do I figure out the make/model of my laptop?

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Seriously> How to Find the Model of My Laptop Computer | eHow.com

Is there some Bluetooth software installed on this machine? It looks like this machine has some built in Bluetooth software so maybe updating the drivers would help.

I found some updated drivers for the Dell Wireless 1704 WLAN 802.11b/g/n NIC which are dated 10/22/12 .

Driver Details | Dell United States

alext180 said:

Hello, I have a new windows 8 laptop and every couple of minutes the internet connection goes to "limited" and if I simply disconnect and reconnect from the network it starts working again, but then disconnects again in about 5-10 minutes. This is extremely annoying and none of our Windows 7 computers do this. Some days it is worse than others. Can someone help me? Thanks.

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Hi there
saying Windows 8 is a POS on a Windows 8 Forum and then asking for help doesn't actually do you any favours -- you should learn to be a better "Salesman" or "Politician" at times. Of course it's annoying when stuff doesn't work "Straight out of the box" but control your emotions as written comments always cause more reactions than the same comments spoken verbally.

Wireless connections especially in the 2.4 GHZ band can be very unreliable as the traffic congestion increases --you might have interference from neigbours Wi-Fi systems or from your own smart phone(s) or other people near you.

Try changing the channel on the router first -- Channel 11 is often fairly free.

A better solution is to switch your Wi-Fi to 801-n on the 5 GHZ band --but your Wi-Fi receiver will have to be 5 GHZ capable.

If you can't do this and you are stuck on the 2.4 GHZ band and the channel change doesn't work --get a REPEATER which will boost the signal. This should swamp any interference from other people using Wi-Fi near you.

(Next time phrase the question slightly differently --It's only because I'm waiting for my breakfast and am twiddling my thumbs that I've even bothered replying).

W8 does have some bad points and some good one's too. Not liking it doesn't actually make it a POS.

Cheers
jimbo

alext180 said:

Okay well my system model is Inspiron 3520 and the Manufacturer is Dell Inc. - Also, is it one of these you want me to disable? (These are the only adapters/bluetooth that are there)

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I still need to see the Xirrus screen shot.

Is this router capable of using wireless n ? If so you need to go into the routers settings and change to 802.11n setting. Your laptop is capable of working with the 802.11n standard so you definitely will want to change to the 802.11n Only setting if possible.

If you can't change that setting to N then you might try to update the firmware on this router. Any router that can only handle G will most likely require a firmware update for Windows 8. Hopefully this router can handle the wireless N setting.

I would also change the channel to either 1 or 11.

Don't let Jimbo bother you, he tends to go a bit overboard at times.

I realized your comment was based on frustration so no big deal for me.