If any of your your security or Windows Update software isn't functioning properly, or if you can't reach security-related web sites, you might want to read into the Conficker/Downadup worm; it's a nasty one. If you're not showing any problems, you may want to disable Windows File Sharing (or leave it on at your own risk if certain programs need it).

You know it's bad when the NY Times writes a lengthy article about it. But the attention is warranted:

( Blah, blah, blah. )

Computer security researchers expect that within days or weeks the bot-herder who controls the programs will send out commands to force the botnet [possibly including your computer] to perform some as yet unknown illegal activity.

Several computer security firms said that although Conficker appeared to have been written from scratch, it had parallels to the work of a suspected Eastern European criminal gang that has profited by sending programs known as "scareware" to personal computers that seem to warn users of an infection and ask for credit card numbers to pay for bogus antivirus software that actually further infects their computer.

Microsoft has released a security update for it, so check Windows Update and install your updates! You should also update your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

If you're already infected and your antivirus software won't run, check Microsoft's (lengthy) support page about it.

Equipment:
Linksys WRT54G v2.2 router (recently upgraded firmware to current version)
Gateway laptop with Windows Vista Home Premium
Realtek RTL8187 Wireless 802.11g 54Mbps USB 2.0 network adapter

Problem?
After a few minutes of considerable network traffic originating from my computer, I would lose my wireless internet connection. Sometimes, just a web page or two would do it.

At first, I was impatient and tried some old tricks. I tried to use Windows' "repair" feature to repair the connection, and it usually told me to fix one thing or another, but it would disconnect a few minutes later and then tell me to fix it back.

Eventually I began to wonder if it was the router. I had never had problems with any other laptops, but the router is about six years old now, and it is sitting under a desk rather than on top of it.

Then I went to my dad's house and noticed that my laptop was doing the same thing on his home network (which uses the same router brand and version). Okay, it's not the router, unless mine is just going bad, so I restored my router's settings and looked deeper into the problem.

Solution?
It remains to be seen whether my problem is really fixed, but as of this morning, I have downloaded some huge files and I haven't had a single disconnect. Things are still downloading now at a good clip, so this is a good sign. Here's what I did:

(1) Open Control Panel
(2) Open Device Manager
(3) Open Network Adapters
(4) FOR EACH item under "Network Adapters, do the following:
        (a) Right-click and select "Properties"
        (b) Select the "Power Management" tab
        (c) UNCHECK "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."

I had already done this for my wireless network card weeks ago through the wireless internet settings, but it turns out (so far this morning) that it was the other network adapter that was repeatedly shutting off. Device Manager is the quickest way to get to both of them, so -- done.

Unfortunately, I can't remember whether I have changed any of the router settings off of their default values, but it's working now so I don't want to mess with it. I'll let you know if I experience problems again.

For many months, I have clinched my fist in anger at Windows Vista (not punching or anything, since I like my laptop) because its native data CD burning process does not work the same as Windows XP's, and as a result MP3 CDs burned in Windows Vista do not work in my car's MP3 CD player. All I wanted out of Vista was a sensible upgrade over XP that simply kept its most useful features -- improvements are a welcome bonus, but downgrades are unexpected.

Enter CDBurnerXP. I had hoped to avoid installing third-party software, especially since everything I've found so far seems to require some sort of payment. Well, this one burns MP3 CDs with their folder structure intact, so it's okay with me.

Complaint #1 about Windows Vista, resolved with a workaround.