Vista desktop wireless network issues

[Lowered_Klass]

Ok, I need the computer gods of Revscene, to guide my old noob ass on a few issues I'm having.

This has to do with my desktop, running 32bit Windows Vista Home Premium. Yes, I know it's a big, steaming pile of poop

I'm ALWAYS having issues with my desktop trying to connect to my wireless network. Some days it connects, and everything works as it should. More often than not though, it just won't connect to my wireless network. Or it will connect, then disconnect after a while. It's very random, and there really is no ryhme or reason to it.

What makes it extremely frustrating, is that it's always a handful of reasons. My security key isn't right, settings don't match blah blah, incorrect security type, and my personal favourite: failed for an unknown reason. I know all my settings are correct, so I'm lost as to why it acts up like this.

Now, we have 2 other laptops (both running windows 7) and they have ZERO issues connecting to my network. Same with my tablet, phone, and anyone else that brings over a laptop. It's only my Vista desktop having issues.

I'm sure this has something to do with not having the correct updates, which sometimes, for whatever reason, when downloaded, sometimes don't work. I'll get error codes, which when I google later on, really don't offer any help or suggestions to fix.

When I talk to other computer techs who seem to know their shit, they all just laugh, and say "That's just Vista being Vista. There really isn't a fix, except to upgrade and get rid of it".

So, what would you suggest? Upgrade to windows 7? Windows 8? I fear my desktop isn't really up to snuff for running these OS. It meets the requirements, but just barely lol. Desktop is about 5 years old.

I guess another option is to restore it back to factory default, and start from the beginning? But I have a feeling this might just happen again, where I just wasted a pile of time for no reason.

Unfortunately, the easiest solution would be to just hardwire my internet connection to the desktop. But because of it's location (no cable jack, and don't want to spend the $$ to put a line in), I really need it to work with the wireless network.

Thanks for any tips or suggestions.

[ph0]

Try changing the wireless channel in your router settings. I used to have this problem before on my computer and that did the trick, hopefully this works for you as well.

[lilaznviper]

^its not his wireless since he said all other devices are working with the wireless

i had a laptop with vista before and it always cause disconnects and sometimes doesn't connect until i disable the wireless and re-enable it. I think its just a vista program

If vista can run on your laptop fine, windows 7 will be fine to install onto the laptop.

Depends on where your computer is from the router and if you want to make it look nice, you can run a long cat5e cable for cheap.

[Jmac]

My guess would be shitty wireless network card drivers. Your desktop is running a 32-bit version of Vista, which suggests to me it was likely purchased/built around the time Vista came out (since most Vista PCs sold/built came w/ 64-bit around the time SP1 came out). Older equipment had notoriously shitty drivers for Vista.

[knight604]

First get a new windows.

Vista is a plague

[Lowered_Klass]

Thanks for the replies

Sure enough, it started working again -FINALLY- after not connecting for most of the day.

I was so frustrated, that I was able to run a long cat6 cable from the router to the desktop as an 'emergency band aid fix' when it decides to be a fucking whore like this. The Mrs is not happy with this solution, so I definately need to find a more permanent solution.

Is there anything I can do about the shitty drivers? A friend also suggested this might be the issue, but couldn't give any more advice, other than "Quit using such a homo operating system". lol

[knight604]

Maybe you should invest in a powerline?

I have one and it works wonders.

[Lowered_Klass]

Originally Posted by knight604

Maybe you should invest in a powerlink?

I have one and it works wonders.

I have no idea what that is, lol

Google here I come!

[knight604]

Basically its like wired, you plug your ethernet cable from the router to the powerline and that plugs into a outlet. You get two powerlinks, so you plug the other one to a wall outlet and then another ethernet cable to the computer.

---- represents ethernet cable

router------powerline-------outlet

outlet------powerline-------computer

You get the same speed as if you were directly plugging from router to computer.

Im never going wireless again , my ps3 and computer has powerlink , worth every penny.

[!MiKrofT]

I think you mean Powerline. I set it up at my cousin's house and it's great.

[bcrdukes]

+1 on Powerline ethernet

Been using it for years w/o problems.