I understand now, are you using the cable between the adaptor and the PC? If so, you could try plugging the Netopia wireless adaptor directly into the back of your PC to see if it is the extension cable that is giving problems. It may be that this will compromise the radio signal depending on where the USB port is. If that solves it then you only need a new extension cable for a few €. Otherwise, Eircom sell these USB wireless adaptors separately (perhaps yours is covered by a warranty period?).