[discobay]

For the ThinkPad it's advisable to use the IBM Access Connection Manager.

[penguinsix]

Random drop outs could be caused by a myriad of factors, and quite honestly, it's going to take some time to solve. Trial and error, on items such as:

a) loose wireless card in the laptop? Is it set properly, does it jiggle.
b) movement of the machine. Are you separated by more walls with the one that breaks.
c) poor Internet connection. Try browsing with both laptops at the same time to the same sites. Do they both stall, or just the one.
d) dropped DNS servers. I don't know why but I had the devil of a time with the HK ISP's DNS servers--just felt they were poorly maintained and crashed.
e) router config. That you got two machines on at the same time is a good sign this is not a problem, but I just wanted to make sure you had them on at the same time.
f) bad router. Have you considered taking that Linksys back and saying "this is a P.O.S. and I want a new one"?

And once you get online, please consider http://getfirefox.com instead of continuing to use Internet Explorer. It is free, and I think you might like some of the feature more than IE.

[peppimimi]

thanks for the advice. i'll try your suggestions above including an alternative to IE. Got one of the laptops working now...I think. Does it matter which key I input for the network key. I had entered Key 1 for all three computers. Strange thing is the icon on the bottom right of my screen shows that my wireless is not connected but right now I am able to get online. BTW, this laptop is a centrino w/ built-in card. How do I check if it is loose?

Thanks!

[penguinsix]

I'm not sure about the network key, which my understanding deals with the encryption standard (Windows guys--any ideas?). I think, from a networking debugging aspect, it is best to start with no encryption or keys and see if that works. If it does, then consider adding that. As always, start simple and add features as you go. If the problem is at the core (ISP) the fewer features you have turned on the easier it is to rule them out.

I think whatever you type in as the key gets encrypted into something, so I'm not sure if just '1' is enough (probably).

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/more...lesssetup.mspx

As for the centrino being loose, don't think that is the issue. I was more concerned with an aftermarket wireless card being added.

[discobay]

Yes you really should start with the laptops situated very close to the router and no security set.