BleepingComputer.com: I.E. drops off but wireless still connected

I am having recurring problems with Internet Explorer dropping connection even though my wireless laptop connection is still live. I am running XP Home with a Belkin router.

Two desktop computers are connected via Ethernet to two of the outlets on the route, while the laptop is running wirelessly. All three computers are controlled by the same router. The laptop is an Acer Aspire 1350 with a removable wireless card, also Belkin.

When I run the diagnostics on XP the default shows the wired Ethernet as the router connection which I change to wireles. This sometimes is all that is needed but I frequently have to reboot several times if this doesn't work.

Another problem is noticed when the IP address is being sought it takes time and sometimes fails to find an address - it is a dynamic address which may be the problem but I do not know if this is relevant.

I regularly clear out the DNS cache, particularly when I have experienced difficulties with Internet Explorer as well as all cookies.

The two desktop computers do not appear to have had any any of the difficulties I experience with the laptop although they are much newer, with one running Vista and the other running XP.

Would a complete re-format solve the problem or is there a simpler solution?

Any help and advice would be much appreciated.