For all those that are not technologically challenged as I. We have been having router issues - it drops the laptops and at time sit is not even visible on the "network list". At first I could just click "repair" and that would work. Then when tht was not working if I powered down the router and turned back on the network would reappear and then we were able to reconnect, but it is happening more often and getting more difficult to get this to work. Last night I powered it down several times before it worked. My son feels If I reset to "factory settings" that might fix the problem. Does that sound logical?

Also he recommends that if I replace the router that I go with a "g" rather than an "n". He feels the "g" is more stable - according to all his gamer buddies anyway and will be cheaper. Any one have any thoughts on this? And if a "g" is a better choice for us do any come wiith a USB port so I can hook up our external hard drive back up so it will always be available to us without physically hooking it up each time?

As I said I am very tech challenged so please keep your answers simple so this idiot can understand them.

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I'm not savvy either. When I lose my wireless I usually have to reset the router by unplugging it for at least 15 minutes. When I plug it back in, I'm usually reconnected automatically and do not need to reconnect from my laptop. I have no clue about 'g' or 'n' or what they mean, sorry. Also, 'repair' never works for me. I always have to unplug the router to reboot it.

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Miss You Sam...
Aug 1, '94 ~ Jan 8, '07
http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/vw_f...px?sbid=483622

Yes I would go G rather then N only if you have to buy a new router but it doesn't sound like you have to.
You may need to reset it to Factory settings, as that sometimes is the problem. Just make sure you have all your information with you (passwords and such).
It could be your computer actually droping your connection, have you tried to search for it in your wireless area, by refreshing the page (where you search for wireless networks).

When I was with Rogers sometimes it wasn't my router that was the problem but the rogers net box itself. If you do have something like that Unplug Both of them, for at least a minute, then plug them back in. I personally would do this first before resetting the router to factory just because that's a pain.

If I remember correctly G is more secure, and has a better range.

Good luck

We are going to try resetting to factory settings.
As for it being the computer this is happening to several laptops at the same time. When i refresh the page of wireless networks our networks still does not appear.
Thanks

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Honestly, I had a wireless router several years ago and gave up and hard wired the computer through the cable because I was constantly losing my signal. It was extremely frustrating. Not only that, but the neighbors could access my wireless network even though I couldn't!

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A G router was what I was recommended to buy, back when I was in the market for such things. When I had Comcast service, I frequently had to unplug the router, plug it back in after 30 seconds or so, and then the wireless service worked OK ... until the next time. I have a desk top computer, but my daughter has a laptop. With out new service, we have WiFi as part of the service, so we no longer need a router.

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Does the drop usually result after the laptop has been idle for a few minutres? or will it drop you while it's being used? One setting on some laptops allows the device to shut down network cards while unplugged to save the battery power. Our office hads to set the power schem for all ten of our laptops. There may also be new firmware and drivers from your hardware manufacturers that may help.

And not to muddy the water, but I wouldn't buy off on the whole G is more stable than N. There are far too many variables that can come into play. Not to mention the other benefits, one of which is that most N router/access points provide the newest security protocols which can be very benificial. (of course it can be a moot point if your system or network can't use them either ).

I hope you can get it straightened out, it is very frustrating when everything appears to work, but just doesn't. Sometimes I think I would rather that the computer just not turn on rather than let me think everything is working fine and infact isn't

-Chris

Well first of all I have to say I love your user title,lol, just noticed it. This has to be the only place you can say such things!

That all sounds contradictory to what we were told, I'm sure we used to have a G router and couldn't pick up signals in the living room. Best Buy told us to get a Linksys N router (about $150) and now we get very strong signals even outside. Sorry, I'm technologically challenged too.

Anytime my wireless starts acting up I do one thing that always works.

Just unplug both the router and the modem for about 15 seconds. Replug in the modem, wait until all the lights are lit (usually about 10 seconds) then plug in the router. Voila.. it works. Hope that works for you!!

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Reading Sameli's post reminded me of something that might be helpful also. Cisco/Linksys has a product that is on the market called "Network Magic" that may make the process of managing your network alot easier. It takes all the infomation about your network settings, computers, printers, smart phones, etc..and puts it in a graphical family tree for you. It simplifies adding and removing devices from your network. It can show you where the problem is on your network and can actually help fix many issues.
It's best feature is that it helps you to share files/pictures/documents between computers super easy. (Please don't consider this a sales pitch, just a suggestion of something you might want to look into, I don't work for them, honestly)
Hope it helps,
-Chris