i have a e system 3115 laptop, the problem is that it connects to the internet for a few minutes but then it just drops connection or shows limited availability/local only, when i then scan for wireless networks available, none appear... the network card is a ralink, any ideas.

Wireless interference. Are you near any metal or concrete that will absorb your WiFi signal? Usually if you have an excellent signal then get dropped for no reason, it is a Cordless Phone that is killing you because they too broadcast on 2.4 GHz like WiFi. If this is the case then simply change the channel on your cordless or on the Wireless Access Point/Router. I suggest downloading a WiFi utility like inSSIDer. http://www.metageek.net/products/in... This will give you a tool that will show your the signal strength of your WiFi so that you can walk around and monitor it and to see what other WiFi might be interfering.

Thanks for that, the thing is that my laptop states that i have maximum strength signal, it connects fine, HOWEVER after about 5 minutes the connection goes and if i try to reconnect, no wireless signals can be found. If i re boot, its still not working, but will after i leave it off for a while !!!!!!!!!

That sounds like a hardware or software issue not a networking issue. You will probably need down load the latest drivers from E Machines web site or talk to one of their tech support agents. Chances are you are not using the Windows Wireless Zero Configuration and are using the wireless software provided by E Machine which is failing because of some windows update or something that I can not figure out because I am not a programmer.