Biggles 78 - couldn't find Device Manager access on Windows 8, but in Networking info. found a command to always connect to the Wireless Transceiver when in range, which was already ticked.

My failure to connect is very occasional and usually only when I run on battery and not mains power - my IT man says that is impossible, that there us no practical difference, which I would agree with, but that is my experience ! I usually solve it by shutting down completely and re-connecting the 240 V. supply, then re-booting.

Unfortunately we do get power failures, the last one shut down most of the Northern part of the North Island, and Vodaphone then discovered that their back-up cell tower batteries didn't work either !

To open Device Manager in Win8:

1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, then tap Search. (If you're using a mouse, point to the bottom-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, then click Search.)

2. Enter 'Device Manager' in the search box, and tap or click Device Manager.

When in Device Manager, look for Network Adapters and look for your wireless adapter, then right click on the adapter name and select 'properties'. Then go to the Power Management tab and untick 'Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power'.

As your snag is only occurring when the computer is on battery, perhaps the system is being overly sensitive and tries to save power too soon?

BEagle - Thank you, your hypothesis regarding saving battery power makes sense !

In fact I'd tried this after reading previous advice from Biggles 78, and before writing my last, but I'd tried to do it via the Apps. page, not the Tiles page, and was told that no App. matched my request, which is why I had eventually gone to the Control Panel, and not found Device Manager there either, just a Networking command to always Connect when in Range.

Have now unticked the save power option as suggested - which was selected, unknown to me !

I'm reluctant to try it - It Ain't Broke, So Won't Fix It - at the moment, but will bear this in mine when I next have to resort to battery power.

Muchas Gracias to both of you.

ExS.