Toshiba laptop keeps dropping wireless connection

[gutted]

Toshiba Tecra 8100 laptop with US Robotics PMCIA wi-fi card Win2k Pro (sp3). I downloaded/installed new drivers for the card this weekend, but problem persists.

Can't be 100% sure, but I don't think it's a drivers issue, I reckon there's a setting somewhere (either in OS or laptop) which is causing me this prob.

Problem is that the wi-fi connection keeps getting dropped and then re-established at intervals of 5 mins. As far as I can work out, this happens every 5 mins *exactly* (which makes me think it's a setting somewhere). Symptoms are that I'll be browsing the 'net and suddenly I'll see a information pop-up saying "100 mbps" indicating that the connection was momentarily dropped and is now back again. It doesn't seem to affect browsing all that much, but it'sjust really annoying to get this little pop-up every 5 mins.

The wi-fi signal is pretty good (better than 98%) and other laptops and PCs in same location don't suffer the same problem. We recently had some interference issue but we changed channels and it looks like the interference prob is solved.

It's the fact that it happens EXACTLY 5 mins that makes me think there is a setting somewhere.

So far, I've tried setting power settings to never shutdown HDDs or screen and do not go idle at any point - I set all the settings I could find to "never shutdown anything, no matter what happens". This hasn't made a difference I get the same problem whether on power or battery. I can't find any specific settings relating to the card itself.

Anyone got a similar set-up, or had a similar prob? Any ideas what I can try?

Cheers!
Dan.

[NooNoo]

look the dhcp lease for one
the other would be powermanagement properties for the nic....

SP4 may fix it.

[gutted]

Thanks NooNoo. I'll see what I can find with the NIC power settings, although I've already searched but have not found anything yet.

Good call on the DHCP lease - I'll investigate that too.

I guess it's time I installed sp4, then...

[RAVEN_0]

my laptop is loseing /dropping connection help me plz i am good with pc but this is beyond mr plz help!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????????

[ZEP_HYR]

<<It's the fact that it happens EXACTLY 5 mins that makes me think there is a setting somewhere. >>

Actually, that makes me think environmental, like a 2.4 Ghz cordless phone polling devices at specific intervals, etc. Have you tried moving your laptop to a different location? (preferably as close to an access point as possible)

If thats a dead end, then I might also try, in addition to what NooNoo suggested, resetting the access point, or reloading your driver for the wireless adapter.

[slgrieb]

Stumped here, boss! Are the problem-free machines using identical NICS? Are you using MAXg or turbo hardware?

[Duke of Rezin]

Check with your ISP as well. Sometimes they will be doing some maintenance work either with the lines or with their other equipment. You may have to be persistent with them, as often the right hand won't know what the left hand is doing.