Wireless DROPOUT problems!

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I have a Netgear router and a Netgear Wireless card. My setup and network between the desktop and laptop has worked fine for quite a while, over a year or two with no major problems until recently.

I have been getting occasional dropouts and I need to unplug/reset the router to get everything working again.

I thought the problem was with the router since the wired connection from the router to the desktop also drops out. When this happens, a reset of the router solves the problem for both the desktop and laptop.

Tonight, however, this has happened six or seven times already. I changed the cable (from the cable modem) to the router to see if that made a difference and it did not. The dropouts continue.

I just removed the Wireless card from the laptop and came back upstairs to the desktop to reset the router again.

Prior to this, the dropouts were happening within a minute or two after a connection was re-established from the reset.

Now as I write this, the connection is still fine on the desktop and the wireless card is physically out of the laptop.

Is it possible that the wireless card could be the problem? If so, why would the desktop (wired) connection also drop out (have limited or no connectivity)?

I originally posted this a few days ago as I thought the problem might be related to Zone Alarm but I've ruled that out as this happens whether ZA is running or shutdown.

One more thing, when I have the wireless card in and the drop out happens, a repair does not work. If I try to use Net Stumbler, it shows that my wireless network is on and working fine - this is what is now making me think the problem is with the card on the laptop.

If so, can someone explain why the desktop also drops out. Can anyone assist?

Thanks, in advance, Fred
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