The Driver Connection

Just like any other peripheral device connected to your computer, your wireless network card uses a driver to communicate with the OS. If the driver is flawed in some way, either a buggy version or a corrupted file, you could very well experience problems with your wireless connection. As such, you should visit the card manufacturer’s Web site and download the most recent driver. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s site or your documentation for specific instructions for removing the old driver and installing the new driver.

Below are instructions for updating the driver.

To check the version number of the driver on your laptop:

Right-click My Computer and left-click Properties.

Click the Hardware tab, then the Device Manager button.

Double-click the Network Adapters option and right-click on the wireless card's name.

Click Properties and then click the Driver tab, which will reveal the version number of the driver for your wireless card.

On the web, check the latest version number available for the driver:
Go to the manufacturer's web site.

Find the model of your computer and the location of the drivers that are available for downloading.

Find the driver for your wireless card. If it is the same version as you have on your computer, it doesn't need updating. If it is a higher version than what is on your computer, download this version of the driver to your Desktop and continue with the following instructions.
 

Create a System Restore Point for your computer:
Note: If your system develops problems after updating your wireless card driver, you can always restore your system to its previous status by first creating a system restore point. To do so:

Click Programs | Accessories | System tools | System Restore

In System Restore screen select Create a restore point, then click Next.

In Restore Point Description field give the restore point a name of your choice. Click the Create button.
Screen should then say, "New system restore point created, date....".

If your system becomes messed up while trying to update the wireless card driver, you can reset it to the previous restore point by repeating item 2. above and selecting Restore last restore point.
 

Run the setup file ( the ".exe" file ) for the driver that you just downloaded to install the new driver on your computer:

Double-click the ".exe" file that you just downloaded to your Desktop.

An Install Wizard screen will open. Follow the instructions for installing the new driver files.

During this process, be sure to write down the location on your hard drive where these driver files are being installed. (This location will be given on one of the Install Wizard screens). 

Check that the new version of the driver installed properly:

Right-click My Computer, then left-click Properties.

Click the Hardware tab, then the Device Manager button.

Double-click the Network Adapters option and right-click the wireless card's name.

Click Properties to find out if the version number you now have installed is the correct one.

Note: If when checking the driver's version number, you notice a yellow exclamation point to the left of the wireless card's name, it means that the card is disabled. You can enable it by right-clicking on the wireless card's name and selecting Enable.

If the version number is still the older version, you must update the driver as follows:

Repeat steps 1., 2. and 3. in this section.

After right-clicking on the wireless card, select Update Driver and follow the directions for installing the driver.

At some point during this updating process you may be given the choice of "updating automatically" or from a" specific location". Select the "specific location" option.

You will be prompted to enter the location of the new driver you just installed in section 4. Type it in just as it was specified in the Install Wizard.

When you are finished with the updating process, repeat steps 1-4 in this section to confirm that the version number of your driver is the one you just updated.