wifi drops after short time

This is long, but I REALLY NEED HELP! I have a mysterious networking
problem. Please ask specific questions about what you need to know to
help!

I am desparate here, folks. I have wasted an entire weekend on this
problem. I need some high powered knowledge.

I have a satellite internet connection with a ICS "host" running W2K
connected to a wireless access point. I use a HP laptop "remote"
running XP/Sp2 on internal wifi, and a tower "remote" runnng W2K on
Belkin wifi adapter.

This setup has been working perfectly for a year

Suddenly, Friday evening, both remotes started loosing connectivity to
the internet via wifi. However, connection to satellite at the host is
not interrupted, works 24/7. Rebooting either remote gives
me an interval of connectivity on the that rebooted
machine only. Rebooting the host has no effect. There appears to be no
interaction between the two wifi remote computers.

SOFTWARE:
Sp2 was added to the XP computer about 2 weeks ago, and worked OK
Software I had recently added: Mozilla FireFox, Mail Warrior, AVG
Antivirus
Software recently removed: Norton Antivirus.
I uninstalled all the new software - did not help.

During troubleshooting of this issue, I disable all firewalls.

HARDWARE:
I have checked the "power-off" options on all interfaces, and in all
cases it is turned off.

OTHER:
The problem seems more to be a "thruput quota" problem than a time-out
problem. I freshly booted the laptop, verified connectivity, and
quickly put it to stand-by. I left it stand-by overnight, I
woke it up this morning, and it quickly connected
back on line. But the usual several web page refreshes then caused it
to loose connectivity.

The symptoms indicate that the common point of failure is the NIC that
services the WAP, or the WAP iteslf. But it is a mystery that the two
remotes do not disconnect at the same time.
Accordingly, I replaced the driver for that NIC - did not help. I
replaced the WAP - did not help.

I really need help here. I am completely stumped.


--
garryp
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