Problems maintaining internet connection

**JAYCEETOO** · 28-05-2009 08:50 PM

I have a new Sony Vaio notebook which is powered by a 3G Sim card (wireless connection) which is intermittent. Whenever I try and download anything (just updates at the moment) it doesn't seem to maintain the connection and the download fails.

Would a wireless router help?

Would disabling the "sleep" mode help? I've tried to do this but can't find out how! I'm on Vista, which I am also new to.

**₣abler** · 29-05-2009 02:32 AM

I've not used a mobile wireless connection so unsure how good a signal you'd get. If poor then it will drop. A modem/router would be better at home but you'd lose the mobility offered with 3G.
If your signal is strong you could check settings. Right click your wireless icon in notification area--click on Network and Sharing Center-- on left click on manage network connection. Right click your connection icon--properties (click continue for permission) then click on the Configure tab (this will take a few seconds to open) then click on advanced tab. In the list check that 'minimum power consumption' is disabled and that 'power output ' is at 100%. Might help.

**JAYCEETOO** · 29-05-2009 07:58 AM

Thank you very much for your reply. I might not get chance to try this for a day or so (the notebook is my second PC), but as soon as I do, I will be back to let you know how I got on.

Thanks again.

**JAYCEETOO** · 29-05-2009 08:20 PM

I've clicked on the items you've mentioned, but nowhere can I find any reference to "minimum power consumption" or "power output".

All that is listed are

AutoReconnect
BreakOnEntry
ConfigString1-7
CorrectString1-7
DNS1Address
DNS2Address

and a few more items relating to passwords, etc.

**simrick** · 06-06-2009 04:31 AM

Jayceetoo,
try this:

DHCP BROADCAST FLAG

I wonder if this will help. It certainly did for me.

p.s. the power options are found in control panel

**JAYCEETOO** · 06-06-2009 09:12 AM

Oh my goodness, that's WAY above my head (and any knowledge I have!). However, I thank you very much for your information - I shall show it to someone who knows what they're doing.

**simrick** · 06-06-2009 03:42 PM

This is the key point:
"This issue occurs because of a difference in design between Windows Vista and Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). Specifically, in Windows XP SP2, the BROADCAST flag in DHCP discovery packets is set to 0 (disabled). In Windows Vista, the BROADCAST flag in DHCP discovery packets is not disabled. Therefore, some routers and some non-Microsoft DHCP servers cannot process the DHCP discovery packets."

I spent well over 1 year putting up with intermittent connections on my Vista laptop, until someone at CNet pointed this out to me. The key is the fact that Vista broadcast flag is ON by default, whereas in XP it was OFF. Once the change was made in my registry (to make it OFF), I have had a solid connection ever since.

I knew it had something to do with Vista, because I had switched from an XP laptop to a Vista laptop and all else had remained the same (same router, network, ISP, internet connection, etc.) - it had to be something in the Vista setup. It is my understanding that this "change" will facilitate solid connections in many different situations, hopefully yours too!

If you don't feel comfortable modifying your registry, by all means seek out someone who can do it for you - editing the registry can be "dangerous/disasterous", if you know what I mean.

**JAYCEETOO** · 06-06-2009 04:01 PM

Thanks for clarifying that; it definitely sounds feasible and I will ask my learned computer man to sort it out for me.

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