Wireless network connection problem: please help

[StephaniesWorld]

I am quite frustrated and was hoping for some help.
I have a desktop computer in my home office with a Netgear Wireless Router in use. For almost a year I have had my new Sony Vaio laptop and never had a problem with picking up a signal from upstairs in my bedroom.....or anywhere else in the house or outside for that matter.
My problem is that last week, out of the blue, I noticed that my laptop was losing the signal. It would show a low signal strength and then none at all.
This happened a few times for about two days. Then two nights ago, I couldn't get a signal at all.
My laptop can connect to the wireless network with a strong signal as long as I have it in my office near the router and main computer. However, the minute I step out with it, the signal strength pops up as low and limited connectivity......then there is none. No connection.
Unable to connect to wireless connection. In fact, when I refresh my network list, sometimes it doesn't even show up if I'm not in my office, sometimes it does. Either way I am unable to connect to the wireless service unless I have the laptop in my office. Then I am always connected. Walk the laptop a few feet outside of my office, and the signal is gone. No wireless connection. Unable to connect to wireless network.
If it does show up when I refresh the avaible networks to connect with, it shows low stregth. Most of the time it's not even showing up now.
I have had it almost a year and never had this problem, it just happened out of the blue. I have always had a connection on my laptop at any point of my house, so why is it doing this now? Why did it just start?
How can I fix this problem?
I have tried to repair it, it says it's unable to repair it due there being no connection.
So, why is my laptop unable to pick up the wireless service, or get a connection now?
Can anyone offer some advice or help in the matter.
I am completely lost. :confused:
I've checked my drivers, that's all fine and checking out.
I've checked my router, it seems to be fine as well.
Is it my laptop? My wireless card in my laptop? It's been working fine since I got it, and it works fine when I'm in my office.....it picks up the signal then....just nowhere else.
Could it be my router? Or the cable connection itself?
How can I fix it so that I can use my laptop and pick up my wireless connection in my bedroom again? Or anywhere else in the house for that matter?

Thank you for your help! :)

[M/Q]

There are two possible answers that I can think of.

First, have you noticed any other wireless networks on your wireless client application? If so have you tried using a different channel as far removed from the channel that remote wireless network is using?

Second, it might be a hardware problem. There is a small RF amplifier circuit in most devices and it might beginning to fail. If the first suggestion does not help, I might look at getting another router to see if that helps, as there is no real method for an individual/consumer to test that piece of equipment.

[StephaniesWorld]

Thanks for the reply.
I have tried switching to channel 1, 6 and now I have put it back on channel 11.
The signal is excellent and stays connected as long as I'm in my office near the router and desktop computer. As soon as I take my laptop out of the office, the signal strength goes low and then the connection is lost altogether.
I have gone under device manager and checked and rechecked all of my drivers, everything seems to be fine and correct.
I just don't get why this started happening. There is a secured network showing up under my list of avaiblabe network connections, but the strength and signal of that are low. I'm not in anyway connected to it, only to my own wireless network.
Something is happening so that as soon as I step foot with my lap top out of my office, the signal is lost and my available network is either low, with only two bars showing, or doesn't even show up as an avaiblable wireless network on my laptop.
So, before I run out an buy a new router, are then any other suggestions you or anyone else could offer me???
My wireless router is a Netgear MR814
My cable modem it is connected to on my desktop is a Motorola SB5120
My laptop is a Sony Vaio model PCG-7D2L with built in wireless bluetooth card.
It worked fine for almost a year, and still works fine and is connected as long as I'm in my office.

I've gotten no new phones, no microwave moved, no other devices that I know of that could interfere with the signal.

Any other suggestions as to the cause and solution to fix this connection and signal problem would be wonderful. I hate to go buy a brand new router and still have the same problem with my laptop not getting the signal or able to pick up the wireless network outside of my office again.

[quasirandom]

I just don't get why this started happening. There is a secured network showing up under my list of avaiblabe network connections, but the strength and signal of that are low. I'm not in anyway connected to it,

What channel is it operating in?

[M/Q]

Just a thought, did you mention BlueTooth? Have you recently started using anything requiring BlueTooth?

[marlehole]

Hello StephaniesWorld,

This sounds like a classic case of you going to another location with you laptop and used it there. That location or some other has been added to your list and has taken over the hierarchy. Meaning yours is no longer the only one there, or not on top.

Try editing the list to make sure "yours" show on top; that's the first place I'll look, and should resolve your issue.

It's just not enough to have yours amoung the list.

Don ;)

[StephaniesWorld]

Thank You for your responses.

-I have no idea what the channel of the other network is, but I have changed mine from 1 -11 and had no luck leaving my office without the connection being lost.

-The bluetooth was in a new cell phone, never used.

-Under View Available Network Connections, Choose A Wireless Network, I have mine listed on top, and the other secured wireless network listed as second & with a low signal strenth. Mine is the one my laptop is connected to. It's got an excellent connection until I step foot out of my office and away from the router.
Then the connection is lost and it won't connect. Sometimes my network shows up, sometimes it doesn't, only when I walk a few feet away.

It's aggravating that I have been unable to use my laptop in my bedroom, in the great room, or even on my deck. The entire reason for my laptop was so I could be a bit more mobile and not confined to my office all the time.

I'm still open for any suggestions to try and fix this problem before I go and buy a new router. :confused:
I mean, my router is working to some degree or my laptop wouldn't be able to connect right now in my office.

[StephaniesWorld]

It's not my laptop, my wireless connection in the game room on another desktop isn't working either.

I guess maybe something is wrong with the router and causing the signal to only be able to be picked up in my office, right next to the desktop, router, and Cable modem.

Any thoughts on how to check for that before I run out and get one?

[M/Q]

Move the router out of the location it is at now and see if the connectivity changes. This is just a test and not permanent.

[rigbyorange]

Hello,
This sounds like a problem with the router to me. You might want to check and make sure that the antenna (if removable) is firmly connected to the router. If you have a friend with a wireless router, you can test this simply by bringing their router to your house and seeing what signal strength you have connected to theirs. Even if other wireless routers have been added to the environment, you should not see that much of a decrease in signal on every channel.
Thanks