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[hydrolis]

Hello everyone!

I am in need of your expertise to troubleshoot and solve a rather annoying problem I am having with a single computer on my network disconnecting/immediately reconnecting to wireless internet.

So for the past month or so I've had this odd issue whereby my Win7Pro desktop PC keeps dropping it's wireless internet connection, and then 2 seconds after it drops, it reconnects as if nothing happened. I would describe it as a 'flicker' in the connection that happens every 3-5 minutes while online.

It APPEARS to happen only when I try and do something within my browser (load a new page), it also happens while on Skype (more frequently on Skype, maybe it drops when more information is being sent across the wifi), etc. For instance, it has happened twice (I've been watching the wireless internet access icon down in my taskbar) since I started typing this message.

What I see on my end is, the 5 'lit up bars' in the taskbar icon suddenly go grey, a little yellow circle appears, it 're-finds' my wireless network, and I'm back online.

Note: This does not happen on my other computers/devices within my house. All other networked devices hold their connection constantly with no issue. Nothing happens on my modem/routers end (the lights don't change or anything). -- I have a different computer beside me (a laptop, also on wireless) that does NOT drop connection when my desktop PC does.

The issue appears to be isolated to this computer only.

I figure that:
- Somehow a software setting for my wireless adapter got changed on my computer
- Somehow a setting within my router got changed and now it's not cooperating with my desktop PC
- I've changed the antenna on my wireless network adapter (it detaches on the back), and the disconnecting continues. Maybe there's a problem with the network card itself?

**Nothing has changed within my computer since this started happening, nothing has changed in regards to my router/modem either. I haven't updated any hardware/software.

I've re-started my router/modem and the problem persists.

But I really have no idea what it is, nor do I have any idea where to begin tackling this issue. But as you can imagine it's extremely frustrating so I would appreciate any help you can give me!

Additional info:

Windows 7 Pro OS 64-bit
Intel core i5-3550 @ 3.30 GHz
16 GB (8x2 RAM)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti
Thomson DCM425 Cable Modem
D-LINK Extreme N Gigabit Router (DIR-655)

Wireless network card:
TP-LINK 150 Mbps Wireless N PCI Express Adapter (Model #: TL-WN781ND)

[FurryNutz]

Link>Welcome!
What Hardware version is your router? Look at sticker under router.
Link>What Firmware version is currently loaded? Found on routers web page under status.
What region are you located?
Are you wired or wireless connected to the router?
Has a Factory Reset been performed?

If this modem has a built in router, it's best to bridge the modem. Having 2 routers on the same line can cause connection problems.
Double NAT
To tell if the modem is bridged or not, look at the routers web page, Status/Device Info/Wan Section, if there is a 192.168.0.# address in the WAN IP address field, then the modem is not bridged.
If the modem can't be bridged then see if the modem has a DMZ option and input the IP address the router gets from the modem and put that into the modems DMZ.

Some things to try: - Log into the routers web page at 192.168.0.1. Use IE, Opera or FF to manage the router.
Turn off ALL QoS or Disable Traffic Shaping (DIR only) GameFuel (DGL only and if ON.) options. Advanced/QoS or Gamefuel.
Turn off Advanced DNS Services if you have this option under Setup/Internet/Manual.
Turn on DNS Relay under Setup/Networking.
Setup DHCP reserved IP addresses for all devices ON the router. Setup/Networking. This ensures each devices gets its own IP address when turned on and connected, eliminates IP address conflicts and helps in troubleshooting.
Ensure devices are set to auto obtain an IP address.
Set Firewall settings to Endpoint Independent for TCP and UDP under Advanced/Firewall.
Enable uPnP and Multi-cast Streaming under Advanced/Networking. Disable uPnP for testing Port Forwarding rules.
WAN Port Speed set to Auto or specific speed? Some newer ISP modems support 1000Mb so manually setting to Gb speeds can be supported by the router. Advanced/Advanced Networking/WAN Port Speed
Set Time and Time Zone under Tools/Time.

Link>Wireless Installation Considerations
What wireless modes are you using? Under Setup/Wireless/Manual.
Try single mode G or N or mixed G and N?
Channel Width set for Auto 20/40Mhz or try 20Mhz only.
Try setting a manual channel to a open or unused channel. 1, 6 or 11. 11 for single mode N if the channel is clear.
What security mode are you using? Preferred security is WPA-Personal. WPA2/AES Only. Some WiFi adapters don't support AES, so you might want to try TPIK only or Auto.
What wireless devices do you have connected?
Any cordless house phones?
Any other WiFi routers in the area? Link> Use InSSIDer to find out. How many?
Turn off WISH, and WPS under Advanced.
Try turning off Short GI, WLAN Partition,and Extra Wireless Protection if you have it. Under Advanced/Advanced Wireless.
Enable WMM Enable Under Advanced/Advanced Wireless.
Turn off all anti virus and firewall programs on PC while testing. 3rd party firewalls are not generally needed when using routers as they are effective on blocking malicious inbound traffic.
Turn off all devices accept for one wired PC while testing.

Check cable between Modem and Router, swap out to be sure. Link> Cat6 is recommended.

Try a different NIC in the one PC?

[davevt31]

If its just that system, check for updated drivers for the NIC, or maybe a new one.  It is most likely NOT a router issue as the other systems work.