It's definitely not slow when it's connected. The signal just drops off completely intermittently. Nothing interfering on this end of the house.
Going to try moving the desktop computer to plug in an Ethernet cable and see if I have problems.
I'm trying to pin point the problem here. And it could be my wireless card or the Modem not being compatible since it's an older style modem. But I think people would be complaining a bit more about it.
That Gateway has been replaced with the Pace 5031NV-030 The 2700 series has had issues. If you do not feel like paying $100 for a new Gateway from ATT. You may want to just purchase a Wireless Access Point like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156247 I use it for my Wireless-b/g devices. Just remember to disable the wifi on the 2700 gateway.
With the age of that gateway, it does not surprise me that you are starting to have issues with the wireless portion.
I hear you, many people don't take the time to post on sites though. There were a couple posts similar to your problem. Connecting by cable to the modem will definitely tell you if the wireless adapter is the culprit if the dropouts disappear.
If still there though you still won't know for sure if the modem or something with the settings/configuration in the computer.
You don't have any power settings that allow the adapter to sleep do you?
Sorry if I seem short guys... I've been spending hours on BSOD issues and this network issue.
First off appreciate the well written and kind/quick replies.
I'm trying to figure out if it's my desktop wifi card causing the modem to drop its signal? or is that not really possible?
I'm getting very close to narrowing down the issue. When plugged in via ethernet cable I have no drops according to browser AND modem lights.
Now it seems like replacing the modem may fix my problem. But do you think it'd be worth it to try hooking this desktop up to my friends (home) router and test again? If it works just fine on their wifi then it can't be my card and it's my modem acting funky.
I guess I'm just baffled because my Desktop Dell XPS with Windows 8 is bring these problems about on my modem and not anyone else with older devices with older OS. So that's what sort of confused me. I'm surfing fine on my wifi w/ Dell latitude laptop with windows 7.
It depends on if Dell has drivers for 7. Looks like you are in luck. Product Support | Dell US Choose Windows 7 64 bit as the OS. I would personally foot the bill for the same Gateway I have. If your gateway is close to the telephone jack. You can get shorter Cat-5e with RJ-11 Males on them, through L-Com.com.
If you are seeing a lot of errors at http://192.168.1.254/xslt?PAGE=C_1_0 or a bunch of noise in the "Bitloading" table at http://192.168.1.254/xslt?PAGE=C_5_3 (these are the screens from the Pace 5031NV-030). You may want to put in a ticket either at https://secure.dslreports.com/forum/sbcdirect Most times it is is just that the tech needs to pull the wires from the NID, pole or pedestal connection and VRAD, to clear any corrosion off of the post & wire.
I have a really clean connection on mine. I am only 2500' from the VRAD, that serves my street. I get up to 25mb/s down, 2.5mb/s up all of the time, even though I am on the 18/1.5 plan. I am using an Engenius ECB-350 A/P as my main means of Wireless. The TEW-638apb is for our wifi printer, a wifi controlled power strip and our thermostat. The Engenius is setup just for Wireless-N 40mhz Channel only.