Broadcom wireless card

First, the questions: every time my girlfriend boots her Gateway laptop, she successfully connects to the wireless network for the dorm. However, she must release/renew to get any connectivity. The card is a Broadcom 8011.b/g (also has bluetooth... I have been out of the tech loop for a while now and know little enough about laptops to have no clue what the model number or even that company's track record is as far as compatibility and reliability). I have played around with the standard settings to try and fix this with no avail. Also, the laptop take a million years to boot and shut down, and while I am no expert, I have toyed with the common things that might cause this... I know that a tech guy got to the laptop before I did and replaced the OS and did a bunch of tweaks and didn't document it or anything so I have no idea what state her laptop is actually in.

And a bit of mudslinging... I would encourage you all to avoid purchasing your laptops (or desktops for that matter) from Gateway or Best Buy. Gateway does not support your computer in the event that you change operating systems or alter the computer in any way. Also be aware that Gateway does not cover a laptop with their name on it purchased from Best Buy. You actually must call a seperate number that leads to an eMachines representative, waiting a good 30 minutes each time you must push a new automated answering service number. Really poor business.

The more recent broadcom mini PCI cards in laptops, several Gateways, Dells, Compaq/HP, really are not that reliable.

Just one example I've run into lately, my bro'in'law's D820 will connect to my Linksys WRT54GS but not his dad's US Robotics AP. It will only connect to about half of the AP's in various hotels.
Drivers have been changed, etc, but I haven't done that much with it myself. He is a pretty good tech in his own right.

Combine that with several of my customers with the same issue and a Broadcom mini PCI ABG card... its faster and cheaper for my customers just to buy an Intel 2915ABG and pop it in there.

Try updating the drivers, if that dosen't work you could look for another mini-pci card.