[FremontTeacher]

I have a Dell desktop running Vista. I have had no problems and then about 2 months ago, it started randomly dropping the internet connection. I was originally connected to a wireless router (via ethernet cables) and from there to a cable modem and on. It will be fine for a while and then drops the connection. The only way to restore the connect is by restarting the computer. What is more frustrating is my wife, who connects wirelessly to the wireless router, has no problems and even when my computer drops the connection, her's has no problems.

In an attempt to fix the issue, I have replaced the network card, the ethernet cable, the wireless router (it died along the way). Also, I have moved the computer to another room (for another reason) and used a wireless connection for it. It does connect, but it will still drop the connection, just like when it was wired up. I have reinstalled windows and run anti-virus and spywear cleaners. I do have zonealarm running, but tried running with it off and the computer still drops the connection.

I called the cable company to see if it was a problem with my connection, but got told that because my wife could connect, it wasn't the internet connection. I knew that, but had to try.

When I lose the connection, I try to use the troubleshooting tool in Vista and it does say there is a problem, but that it cannot fix it.

I would love for someone to help me out here as I have tried everything I can think of. Thank you.

[Phantom010]

Perhaps you could try updating your network card driver. Or, if no luck, uninstall and reinstall it.

[TerryNet]

How frequent are the disconnects (minutes?, hours?, days?)? Do the disconnects occur in Safe Mode with Networking?

Please show the following for a good connection and a dropped one ...

Start, Run, CMD, OK to open a command prompt:
(For Vista type CMD in the Search box after Start)

Type the following command:

IPCONFIG /ALL

[Note that there is no space between the slash and ALL.]

Right click in the command window and choose Select All, then hit Enter.
Paste the results in a message here.

If necessary use a text file and removable media to copy the results to a computer with internet access.