Trouble connecting to public WiFi networks

I am suddenly having trouble connecting to WiFi networks with my laptop.
Here are the details:

I am using a Dell Inspiron laptop with a Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN Mini-card.
I usually use the local county libraries' WiFi network. I visit more than
one branch.
I also go to a local mall that has a number of WiFi connections available.
I have been doing this for over two years without problems.

It used to be that, when I started my laptop and opened my browser (IE or
FireFox), I would connect to either the library's WiFi or the mall's WiFi. (I
saved my connections.)

No matter which WiFi network I connect to, the signal strength indicator
always shows the maximum number of green bars.
I don't think it's my browser. This occurs when I use IE8 or FireFox 3.4.3.

In the past couple of weeks I have had problems connecting to these WiFi
networks when I start up my computer.

The solution is simple: I disconnect and then reconnect to the network. I do
this by clicking the "Connect or Disconnect" link on the little pop-up menu
from my network Taskbar icon.
That opens the "Connect to a network" window.

Even though the solution is simple to do, I am wondering if something is
wrong with my computer or the software running on it. I am using Vista Home
Premium and I install the latest updates.

I am pretty sure that the libraries' WiFi network hasn't changed.
I am pretty sure that the mall's WiFi networks haven't changed. There are
three available for the mall and I also use Panera Bread's WiFi.

At the suggestion of a response from a Dell forum, I tried downloading and
reinstalling the driver for my Dell Mini-card. That did not work.

Does anyone else have any suggestions?
Can I provide any additional information?
Do WiFi cards go bad?

Hi
The Browser is Not a good agent to start Wireless connection, the regular
process is to make sure that you do have a network connection to the Network
of your choice, and then start the Browser.
In any case take a look at the Wireless preferred list and make sure that
you remove undesirable connection and put the connection that you need at
the top of the list.
Win XP, http://www.ezlan.net/wireless/wzc3.jpg
Vista, http://www.ezlan.net/vista/wireless_manager.jpg
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking).

"Marz" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:9504694B-E3DE-4065-AF3C-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I am suddenly having trouble connecting to WiFi networks with my laptop.
> Here are the details:
>
> I am using a Dell Inspiron laptop with a Dell Wireless 1390 WLAN
> Mini-card.
> I usually use the local county libraries' WiFi network. I visit more than
> one branch.
> I also go to a local mall that has a number of WiFi connections available.
> I have been doing this for over two years without problems.
>
> It used to be that, when I started my laptop and opened my browser (IE or
> FireFox), I would connect to either the library's WiFi or the mall's WiFi.
> (I
> saved my connections.)
>
> No matter which WiFi network I connect to, the signal strength indicator
> always shows the maximum number of green bars.
> I don't think it's my browser. This occurs when I use IE8 or FireFox
> 3.4.3.
>
> In the past couple of weeks I have had problems connecting to these WiFi
> networks when I start up my computer.
>
> The solution is simple: I disconnect and then reconnect to the network. I
> do
> this by clicking the "Connect or Disconnect" link on the little pop-up
> menu
> from my network Taskbar icon.
> That opens the "Connect to a network" window.
>
> Even though the solution is simple to do, I am wondering if something is
> wrong with my computer or the software running on it. I am using Vista
> Home
> Premium and I install the latest updates.
>
> I am pretty sure that the libraries' WiFi network hasn't changed.
> I am pretty sure that the mall's WiFi networks haven't changed. There are
> three available for the mall and I also use Panera Bread's WiFi.
>
> At the suggestion of a response from a Dell forum, I tried downloading and
> reinstalling the driver for my Dell Mini-card. That did not work.
>
> Does anyone else have any suggestions?
> Can I provide any additional information?
> Do WiFi cards go bad?