I had a similar intermittent problem.  I replaced my router with a dual band router and my devices stopped dropping.  In addition, my overall throughput increased dramatically.  My old router still worked, it just seems that it was not able to keep up with the number of devices I was adding to my home network.

UbiquitousBubba
I had a similar intermittent problem.  I replaced my router with a dual band router and my devices stopped dropping.  In addition, my overall throughput increased dramatically.  My old router still worked, it just seems that it was not able to keep up with the number of devices I was adding to my home network.

Who are you and what have you done with UB?

MakeShift
Hmmm, interesting about the different bands, I had n't thought of this.  I have the opposite problem.  The tablets and phones find the wireless all of the time, but the laptops loose the signal if left idle for a few minutes.

In windows 7 there's an advanced power management setting that tells your wi-fi how long to stay active when not in use. Just like USB ports, the wi-fi can go into a power save mode and become inactive. IS that it?

RobertB
Julien, do you have a combo modem/router, or is the router separate from the modem?
Seperate. Netgear N Wireless WNR2000v1, Comsast modem.
 
Do you have cordless phones in the house?
Yes, 5 of them. We have just switched to phone over internet but it has not switched yet. The phones are Motorola L404. 1.9 Ghz
http://www.amazon.com/MOTOROLA-L404-Cordless-Answering-Speakerphone/dp/B002E1LELM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373333722&sr=8-1&keywords=motorola+l404

I went to Staples today to look at some modems (I will purchase somewhere else) I am pretty sure I really need a better modem. I am going to need a DLNA certified router. Some of them look a LOT better like the AC1750... however I really don't know one rom another. My ex-son in law workd for Google though and knows everything about this stuff. I may end up calling him, but maybe not. I may just get what I need right here!
 
Thanks!
Julien

My router is 2.4Ghz. Maybe a new router will be the answer with an extender (with hardwire plug in capability) for the phone that is also going to be hooked up to the network. There goes another 200 bucks... Oh well.
 
You think a new mo betta router is the answer huh? I am pretty well convinced it is.
 
J

May try this... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16825124007
 
NETGEAR DGND4000-100NAS N750 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit DSL Modem Router 1 WAN and 4 LAN Gigabit Ethernet ports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, ADSL/ADSL2+
 
J

That particular version has a built-in DSL modem. It won't work with a cable connection.
I don't think you want that. Since your service provider is Comcast, and you have the WNR2000, I am guessing you already have a cable modem.
The router only version is the WNDR4000(N750):
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=Netgear+Wndr4000&adid=22222222220206392820&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=s&wl2=c&wl3=26675312667&wl4=&veh=sem
I have installed 80-100 of these in the past few months, and they seem to be pretty robust units.
How many wireless devices do you have connected?
Most routers that I have seen will support a limited number of wireless devices, usually 6. If you have more than that, they will take turns bumping each other out.
The router will dismiss inactive devices to make room, and you may see what slartabartfast mentioned.
The WNR2000 is really a pretty basic unit, and the WNDR4000 will definitely outperform it.
As for extenders, think of them as a relay station to extend the range. A repeater, if you will.
If your wireless device is in range of both the base and the extender, it can actually cause more problems than it solves. I have had to remove several of these from home networks because they were not appropriate for the scenario.
 

Robert B - are you saying the device with the link handles more than 6 devices at one time ?
 
That seems to be the exact problem I am having these days...when everyone is home, there are 4 smart phones, 2 Ipods, 1 tablet, and 3 PCs and a wireless printer.  In order for me to keep working I have to start telling people to shut their devices down.   I have a d-link DIR 855.
 
Thanks

Here I am, Bapu!
 
In Bubba's cave, there are (at any one time) five or six laptops/PCs, a printer, five smart phones, a couple of tablets, and a pair of blu-ray players all vying for network access.  I put in a Netgear R6300 http://www.netgear.com/R6300#.  Since then, I have very rarely had any drops.
 
No dropped devices means less yelling at Bubba.  Less yelling, means Bubba can go back to his nap.  More nap time means a less cranky Bubba.  A less cranky Bubba means less yelling at Bubba.  Less yelling, means Bubba can go back to his nap.
 
It's like the Circle of Life, but with Bubbas. 

Let me guess, when you wake up from those naps, you try to have your coffee in one of these, ya?