Wireless network connection keep dropping

Question

After reinstalling windows XP on my laptop, I've noticed that about ever 3 mins, my wireless network connection will disconnect and then reconnect. I found the following error in the system event log:

Event Type: Information
Event Source:   Tcpip
Event Category: None
Event ID:   4202
Date:   	12/8/2009
Time:   	9:32:33 PM
User:   	N/A
Computer:   DEXTER
Description:
The system detected that network adapter \DEVICE\TCPIP_{0AF527AF-F5B7-45B3-ACB9-2FDC0E4A951B} was disconnected from the network, and the adapter's network configuration has been released. If the network adapter was not disconnected, this may indicate that it has malfunctioned. Please contact your vendor for updated drivers.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 00 00 00 00 02 00 50 00   ......P.
0008: 00 00 00 00 6a 10 00 40   ....j..@
0010: 02 00 00 00 00 00 00 00   ........
0018: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00   ........
0020: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00   ........

I've downloaded and installed the latest driver from Dell. I have inspiron 600m and wireless card is "Dell Wireless 1450 Dual Band WLAN Mini-PCI Card".

When I am connected to my wireless network, everything works fine, it just gets interupted every 3 mins. I have other computers connected to the network that work fine too. thanks.

Answer 1

Found this KB: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/814123

I tried this, but in order to do it I had to switch from using the Dell wireless configuration utility, to the windows tool.

In anycase, one of these two things fixed it.

Answer 2

This is usually caused by the power saving settings of the WLAN adapter.

Change the value to OFF or CAM (constantly awake mode).