I have a netgear wpn824v3 wireless router, I have lost connection about 5 to 6 times I got it about 3-4 weeks ago... the wireless light blinks slowly unless if i'm opening a page in explorer.also how fast should my connection speed be mine jumps from 48 to 54.0 mbps.

HERE ->http://downloadcenter.netgear.com/Disclaimer.aspx?redirecturl=http://netgeardownload.registria.com/single_page_registration?product[sku]=wpn824v3&download_url=http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/WPN824V3/WPN824V3-V1.0.8_1.0.7NA.zip

What is the Operating system on the laptop ?
If it is XP then in the bottom right hand corner you will find Wireless network connection ( looks like 1 computer monitor). Use that icon to connect to the wireless network.
If it is windows Vista, then in the bottom right hand corner you will find 2 computer monitor icon. Use that icon to connect to the wireless network.
If it is Windows 98/ME/2000 then use the adapter utility to connect to the wireless network.
For MAC you will see the AIRPORT icon at the top.

Check the wireless settings of the router first . Make sure that you have all the wireless settings of the router. If you are not sure about the settings, then open the router set up and check the settings.

Click Here for step by step instructions on how to connect to the wireless network and troubleshooting steps

Please follow the below task to enable security on the wireless connection:
1. Open the browser(Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox) on a computer connected to the router. 2. Access the router, usually with http://192.168.1.1 or http://www.routerlogin.com. 3. Login to the router with the Username as "admin" and Password as "password" (please note that the username and password is case sensitive). 4. Click on Wireless Settings'(under Setup) from the left menu. 5. Select security options as 'WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)'. 6. Set the 'Authentication Type' as automatic. 7. Set the 'Encryption Strength' as 64-bit. 8. In Key 1 type a 10 digit number. 9. Apply the settings.

Hope this allows you to resolve the issue.

Regards
Anand

I have the WPN824v3 and it can be balky finding and connecting to a network sometimes. It works best (and gets the best range) using the Netgear RangeMax Wireless USB 2.0 adapter (WPN111). The router and this adapter are (according to Netgear) specifically designed to work with each other, thereby maximizing both the range and the speed of the router.

Chances are that the router is set to manually assign an address if it doesn't receive an IP from the DHCP server.

I would first try removing all the wireless profiles and creating them again.
Also a windows update may have broken any firewalls you currently have installed so disabling them is also a good idea, then turn back on when you get it to work.

Are you trying to set up the router ?
If you connect the computer directly to the modem, does it work ?
If yes then you can set up the router manually.
Click Here for more info about router set up and other problems

Netgear wireless routers have a tiny reset button on the back of the router.
Power up the router and use a sharp object to press and hold this reset button until the LEDs start flashing, then release the reset button.
The Netgear router will now be restored to the factory defaults.
To configure the Netgear wireless router : -
1. Connect the wireless router to your computer with a LAN cable.
2. Start your browser and enter the router's configuration URL
http://192.168.0.1
3. Enter the router setup login and password (which are admin, and password)
4. Change the admin password
5. Go to the wireless settings and change the default SSID and turn off SSID broadcast.
6. Setup encryption key the strongest is WAP2
7. For further security measures - turn on MAC address filtering and enter the MAC address of the wireless cards on the computer/s you want to connect to this wireless router.
8. Record the settings you have made and keep it in a safe place and Save the settings.
9. Configure the wireless cards on the computer/s with the SSID and encryption settings of the router.
10. Remove the LAN cable between the router and the computer then the computers should be able to connect to the router.

since the wireless light is not glowing what we can do is we can go ahead and reset the wireless router,
look at the bottom of the router and you will see the routers labelling,check where the reset button is located,it will be on the back where you have the port,use a paper clip or something that is pointed and hold it down for about 30 sec you will see that all the lights will blink on the router,leave the reset button after that power off the router for 60 sec and then power it on....check if the wireless light is on....it shud be on now..
vedhick

There is a 90 % possibility that the wireless settings on the gaming adapter and the router are not the same. Try to reconfigure this again. Remember that the gaming adapter's wireless settings needs to synchronize with that of the router to make the gaming adpater works. Call netgear and verify the settings on your wireless connection and reverify the settings you have on the adapter. For manual instructions, see user guide at www.linksys.com/download