My
laptop keeps losing its wireless connection, or it
reports that the wireless network has "limited or
no connectivity"
You may have a problem with the device driver
for your wireless chipset
The wireless chipset is the hardware in your
computer that actually manages your wireless connection. UTS and
the Kresge
Library Systems Office have been able to determine
that many of the recently reported wireless connection problems
are being caused by laptops that use the Intel Wireless 2200BG
chipset (multiple reports
of problems with the intel 2200 BG). We have also
found that several wireless chipset manufacturers, besides
Intel, began to release devices before the wireless-g standard
had been finalized. This, in turn, has caused these chipset
to behave erratically with some 100% "Wi-Fi approved" devices
that were released after the 802.11g wireless standard was
ratified. Intel has just recently (8/23/2005) released a
driver that corrects many of the problems with this chipset.
Several other manufactures have released updated drivers
as well.
You will need to be able to connect to the internet to fix
this issue, which we understand is problematic. You will
need to use your laptop's wired network connection to do
this. The library provides live network jacks in the study
rooms on the 1st, 3rd and 4th floors of the library. If you
need a network cable to connect your laptop in one of these
rooms, you can check one out from the
Circulation
Desk or from the Computer
Lab.
If you need assistance updating your network
drivers, please stop by the UTS
Computer Helpdesk in room 202 Kresge Library (campus map).
The helpdesk staff will assist you in locating and
installing the latest drivers for your laptop.
You can also get assistance on updating
your drivers at the Student
Technology Center. STC is located in Room
40 (lower level) of the Oakland
Center (campus
map). The STC Staff will
also explain to you want went wrong, and teach you how
to fix it in the future-- just in case something similar
should happen in the future.
You can determine if your problems are being caused
by this bad wireless chipset device driver by taking the following
steps:
- Go to the web site of your laptop's manufacturer (e.g.
Dell, Gateway, Sony, Avertec, etc). Look for a "Support,"
"Downloads," or "Drivers" section.
Navigate to the support page for your laptop and then select,
download and install the latest recommended Network Device
Drivers for the wireless device in your computer.
Some manufacturers have not yet updated their sites to make
the newest driver available. For the Intel 2200BG,
drivers older than version
9.0.2.31 will not correctly connect to the wireless network.
If you can't find a new enough driver on your laptop manufacturer's
web site, you may want to download the newest driver direct
from the manufacturer of your wireless chipset.
If
you are using an Intel Centrino based
computer, download and run the Intel
PRO/Wireless Network Connection ID Tool to determine
exactly what type of wireless chipset you are using. The
program will then direct you to the newest available device
driver.
If you already know what Intel Wireless product you are
using, you can find the latest downloads and support information
on the Intel
Wireless LAN Products page.
Multiple reports of problems with
the Intel 2200BG: