Internet connection keeps dropping - using airport extreme

I have just recently started having this problem. It seems when the computer sits idle, the connection drops. I don't see my network in the dropdown menu. I open airport utility, and the extreme base station does not show up. I find I have to unplug it, or do an actual reset on it to get it to show up.

I try resetting the cable modem as well, but I have never had issue with the internet connection itself here before. I try restarting the computer. When it does come back online/show up in AIrport Utility, it seems kind of random because it will take a few attempts at all 3 methods mentioned before it just suddenly appears in Airport Utility. So I really have no idea what is helping. The process is a pain in the butt though.

I have searched around, but I can't find many current articles on the problem.

The only other info I can offer is that I never had any problems until I installed the last Airport Utility update. I am running 10.5.6. The problem doesn't seem to happen while I am working, and online frequently.

I don't even know where to start trouble shooting. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

I have Rogers (Canada). They updated the modem awhile ago, but I didn't have any problem immediately after that. My connection had always been bullet-proof in fact. The only thing I can think that I changed was that Airport Utility update a couple of weeks ago.

 

I gave this tip a shot first. My connection stayed on all last night without dropping. Which it has not done in the past 3 evenings.

Thanks

 

My connection still hasn't gone down at all since reverting to the older version of the firmware. So it's safe to say that firmware update was the problem.

 

Well, I thought the problems were fixed but now I am having worse issues then ever.

The base station shows up in Airport Utility, but every time I try to configure it I get errors. I have tried resetting it multiple times with no luck.