Intel PROset/Wireless crashes router

[DarkSky]

Hello,

I have a Dell Inspiron 700m with internal Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG wireless. I figured I would try posting here before trying to deal with Dell support. The problem: when viewing webpages that require a lot of downloading, i.e. images on a MySpace profile, the wireless router has a tendency to crash. I then either have to power cycle the router (down two flights of stairs) or wait a few minutes to try to reconnect. If I try to disconnect/reconnect before that, the connection process hangs at the authentication stage (it's WPA-Personal). That brings up the point that the PROset config still says that the laptop is connected, but there's no traffic. At the moment I have a Linksys WRT54GC, but I've also been through a D-Link and a Netgear. I am unable to duplicate these symptoms with any other computer on my network.

I've scanned for other wireless networks from each corner of my house and made sure mine is set to a different channel. I have a static IP as well, so no worries about DHCP. And another computer within 50 feet of my laptop on this floor has no connection problems, so it's not the distance/walls. I've run out of ideas.

BASIC SUMMARY: internal wireless crashes wireless router when downloading pages with lots of images.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Update to the generic intel proset 10.0 drivers/utility. Don't use the dell provided stuff.
You can find the drivers on intel website.

 

[DarkSky]

I've already tried that, and it didn't help. However, someone on a dslreports forum said that he had problems in the past with WPA and Dells, so I changed my network to WEP and have since been unable to duplicate the problem, so I think I can say for now that the problem is fixed. Thanks for your help!

*EDIT*
Two minutes after I posted this, the connection died unprovoked. I wasn't browsing or anything. The Windows popup thingy popped up saying unable to connect to default... Now when I reconnect, I am connected, but the icon in the system tray says I'm not. Same thing after a reboot.

 

[nweaver]

I doubt your problem is an Intel Proset problem, nor is it a router problem (you have replaced it several times).

Millions use that proset utility and card, without issue, millions use those routers without issue, you are the only one with that exact setup (house, etc). I would guess it's enviromental

 

[RebateMonger]

You may want to just buy a $20 WiFi PCCard and try that. Or, if the Dell uses a mini-PCI card, you could even change that out for another internal WiFi card.

 

[tfinch2]

Two flights of stairs? I'd say this is a signal problem before I blame the hardware.

Does it happen when the laptop and router are near each other?

 

[elph]

Doesn't sound like signal problems to me. I'd replace the wireless card. Newegg used to have one for $20 shipped made by MSI that worked like a champ.