«

I have two computers, one is a PC and the other is a laptop. The PC has a
PCI bus wireless adaptor from D-Link, the laptop has an unknown wireless
device built in.

When sitting side by side, the laptop connects to my wireless router at
something on the order of 90%, the PC connects to the same router at
something approaching 30%. The laptop is connected with "excellent" signal
strength, the PC connects with "very weak". When the PC connects _really
well_, the signal strength is reported as "good".

I'm guessing that the wireless adaptor in the PC is crappy. I think I paid
about $30ish for it. I want to get a good wireless adaptor for the PC, any
suggestions as to good ones, and the expected price range I should be
looking at?

Any suggestions as to adaptors to stay away from? (I place my D-Link Gold on
this list, by the way ... )

"Jeff Strickland" <> wrote in message
news:HyYBi.329$sf1.226@trnddc01...
>I have two computers, one is a PC and the other is a laptop. The PC has a
>PCI bus wireless adaptor from D-Link, the laptop has an unknown wireless
>device built in.
>
> When sitting side by side, the laptop connects to my wireless router at
> something on the order of 90%, the PC connects to the same router at
> something approaching 30%. The laptop is connected with "excellent"
> signal strength, the PC connects with "very weak". When the PC connects
> _really well_, the signal strength is reported as "good".
>
> I'm guessing that the wireless adaptor in the PC is crappy. I think I
> paid about $30ish for it. I want to get a good wireless adaptor for the
> PC, any suggestions as to good ones, and the expected price range I
> should be looking at?
>
> Any suggestions as to adaptors to stay away from? (I place my D-Link
> Gold on this list, by the way ... )
>

Just asking - so don't get mad ... did you setup /tweak the desktop card?
or just plug it into PC and boot ?
http://www.dlink.com/products/suppor...kInstallGuides

Is desktop nic the same settings as laptop nic ( channel, ad-hoc etc) ?
If all is setup OK, are you sure no external interference ? ( that maybe
big antenna is more susceptible to rather than laptop's built-in). (
built-in wireless for laptop IS tweaked for enclosure). I want you to
avoid buying another only to then discover it's the overhead fluorescent
light causing the interference.

I've had friends with issues and know that initial wireless issues can
drive you crazy.

Do a search for Zydas/g chipset on ebay. Last time I looked they were
about $6 plus shipping for the USB dongles. They have great range, work
with XP and Linux and are better than anything I've tried.....and I've
tried a bunch!

"- Bobb -" <bobb@noemail.123> wrote in message
news:. ..
>
> "Jeff Strickland" <> wrote in message
> news:HyYBi.329$sf1.226@trnddc01...
>>I have two computers, one is a PC and the other is a laptop. The PC has a
>>PCI bus wireless adaptor from D-Link, the laptop has an unknown wireless
>>device built in.
>>
>> When sitting side by side, the laptop connects to my wireless router at
>> something on the order of 90%, the PC connects to the same router at
>> something approaching 30%. The laptop is connected with "excellent"
>> signal strength, the PC connects with "very weak". When the PC connects
>> _really well_, the signal strength is reported as "good".
>>
>> I'm guessing that the wireless adaptor in the PC is crappy. I think I
>> paid about $30ish for it. I want to get a good wireless adaptor for the
>> PC, any suggestions as to good ones, and the expected price range I
>> should be looking at?
>>
>> Any suggestions as to adaptors to stay away from? (I place my D-Link Gold
>> on this list, by the way ... )
>>
>
> Just asking - so don't get mad ... did you setup /tweak the desktop card?
> or just plug it into PC and boot ?
> http://www.dlink.com/products/suppor...kInstallGuides
>
> Is desktop nic the same settings as laptop nic ( channel, ad-hoc etc) ?
> If all is setup OK, are you sure no external interference ? ( that maybe
> big antenna is more susceptible to rather than laptop's built-in). (
> built-in wireless for laptop IS tweaked for enclosure). I want you to
> avoid buying another only to then discover it's the overhead fluorescent
> light causing the interference.
>
> I've had friends with issues and know that initial wireless issues can
> drive you crazy.
>

I'm not sure of any of the settings, to be honest. The external interference
issues are the same though, so that shouldn't be the problem. That is, the
house is the same for both machines and does not change as I move from one
keyjboard to the other placed on the same table.

I understand the issues you are pointing out, but those issues are the same
for both computers at the same time in the same place. One computer works
very well, the other works poorly -- where "poorly" is being generous.

Channel and ad-hoc are good things to look at. I have Verizon FiOS, and the
computer geeks at Verizon said to set the Channel to channel 11. I do not
think that I am running an ad hoc netwrok, but I am (frankly) a bit fuzzy on
that point. My goal at this juncture is to get the equipment to get onto the
web, after I get them to do that, I'll set out to get them to talk to one
another so that we can share resources -- printers and files, etc.

While the router can be forced to channel 11, I'm not sure the wireless
adaptors have that ability. My recollection is that the adaptor simply goes
out and finds a signal, then sets itself to whatever the signal is being
carried on. The router has an Auto setting, but therer is also a way to set
it to a dedicated setting.







>
>
>

Excuse my ignorance ...

Are you saying that there are wireless that looks (for lack of a better
description) like a flash drive, that simply plugs into a USB port?

These work better than PCI cards?

I don't want to pretend that money is no object, because it is. But, I'm
willing to pay for a product that actually works. Since my kid's laptop
works in the same environment that the desktop machine does not work, I have
to believe there is something I can do to the desktop to make it work.






"Mountain Mike^^" <> wrote in message
news:fba7hc$2ef$...
> Do a search for Zydas/g chipset on ebay. Last time I looked they were
> about $6 plus shipping for the USB dongles. They have great range, work
> with XP and Linux and are better than anything I've tried.....and I've
> tried a bunch!

I should have mentioned that the PC is running on Vista Home Premium and the
laptop is running XP (I'm not sure if it is Home or Pro).




"Jeff Strickland" <> wrote in message
news:HyYBi.329$sf1.226@trnddc01...
>I have two computers, one is a PC and the other is a laptop. The PC has a
>PCI bus wireless adaptor from D-Link, the laptop has an unknown wireless
>device built in.
>
> When sitting side by side, the laptop connects to my wireless router at
> something on the order of 90%, the PC connects to the same router at
> something approaching 30%. The laptop is connected with "excellent" signal
> strength, the PC connects with "very weak". When the PC connects _really
> well_, the signal strength is reported as "good".
>
> I'm guessing that the wireless adaptor in the PC is crappy. I think I paid
> about $30ish for it. I want to get a good wireless adaptor for the PC, any
> suggestions as to good ones, and the expected price range I should be
> looking at?
>
> Any suggestions as to adaptors to stay away from? (I place my D-Link Gold
> on this list, by the way ... )
>
>
>
>
>
>

"Jeff Strickland" <> wrote in message
news:QFgCi.790$3R5.15@trnddc05...
>
> "- Bobb -" <bobb@noemail.123> wrote in message
> news:. ..
>>
>> "Jeff Strickland" <> wrote in message
>> news:HyYBi.329$sf1.226@trnddc01...
>>>I have two computers, one is a PC and the other is a laptop. The PC has
>>>a PCI bus wireless adaptor from D-Link, the laptop has an unknown
>>>wireless device built in.
>>>
>>> When sitting side by side, the laptop connects to my wireless router
>>> at something on the order of 90%, the PC connects to the same router
>>> at something approaching 30%. The laptop is connected with "excellent"
>>> signal strength, the PC connects with "very weak". When the PC
>>> connects _really well_, the signal strength is reported as "good".
>>>
>>> I'm guessing that the wireless adaptor in the PC is crappy. I think I
>>> paid about $30ish for it. I want to get a good wireless adaptor for
>>> the PC, any suggestions as to good ones, and the expected price range
>>> I should be looking at?
>>>
>>> Any suggestions as to adaptors to stay away from? (I place my D-Link
>>> Gold on this list, by the way ... )
>>>
>>
>> Just asking - so don't get mad ... did you setup /tweak the desktop
>> card? or just plug it into PC and boot ?
>> http://www.dlink.com/products/suppor...kInstallGuides
>>
>> Is desktop nic the same settings as laptop nic ( channel, ad-hoc etc)
>> ?
>> If all is setup OK, are you sure no external interference ? ( that
>> maybe big antenna is more susceptible to rather than laptop's
>> built-in). ( built-in wireless for laptop IS tweaked for enclosure). I
>> want you to avoid buying another only to then discover it's the
>> overhead fluorescent light causing the interference.
>
> The external interference issues are the same,
> so that shouldn't be the problem.
>
> I'm not sure of any of the settings, to be honest.

Well , check them !
You have been ASSUMING that your desktop has been talking to YOUR router !

Let's say your router is set for CH 6.
The laptop is set for CH 6 - fine. EXCELLENT connection !

If the desktop is set to CH 7 and a neighbor with no protection on his
equipment broadcasts on 7 - guess what - you'll connect to his router.
Guess what - LOUSY connection.

If you're set to use ad-hoc channel 11 and a nearby PC is broadcasting on
11 then - you'll use HIS lousy connection.
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/w...padhocwifi.htm
1.. When using ad hoc mode, be aware of several security issues and
performance limitations of ad hoc WiFi networks.

2.. The most common sources of trouble in ad hoc mode networking are
incorrect configuration and insufficient signal strength. Ensure your
devices are located close enough to each other, and ensure configuration
settings are made identically on each device.
Connect to your Router / laptop and WRITE DOWN the SETTINGS - set up both
PC's the same way.
In the amount of time we have typed you might have fixed this.

"Jeff Strickland" <> wrote in message
news:HyYBi.329$sf1.226@trnddc01...
>I have two computers, one is a PC and the other is a laptop. The PC has a
>PCI bus wireless adaptor from D-Link, the laptop has an unknown wireless
>device built in.
>
> When sitting side by side, the laptop connects to my wireless router at
> something on the order of 90%, the PC connects to the same router at
> something approaching 30%. The laptop is connected with "excellent" signal
> strength, the PC connects with "very weak". When the PC connects _really
> well_, the signal strength is reported as "good".
>
> I'm guessing that the wireless adaptor in the PC is crappy. I think I paid
> about $30ish for it. I want to get a good wireless adaptor for the PC, any
> suggestions as to good ones, and the expected price range I should be
> looking at?
>
> Any suggestions as to adaptors to stay away from? (I place my D-Link Gold
> on this list, by the way ... )
>
Hi Jeff...
I've had good luck with both linksys (wmp54g) as well as the dlink (don't
remember the model number but it is pretty much their base one). If I have
a customer who already has one brandname of router I try to stay with the
same manufacturer of client adapter just in case I need to call their tech
support to minimize finger pointing.

I didn't see what kind a router you have... does it have maybe some added
functionality like mimo, N or some kind of rangebooster that your laptop
supports but not your desktop pci card?

As another poster mentioned it might be best to set your router to channel
11. Your adapters for the pci and laptop would automatically switch to that
freq range. But that really doesn't explain why the laptop gets better
performance than the desktop if they are next together and everything is
equal.

It sounds like either a minimal performing pci card or maybe the fact the
router is supplying some technology the laptop can take advantage of but not
the desktop.

Dennis Meissner

"- Bobb -" <bobb@noemail.123> wrote in message
news:. ..
>
> "Jeff Strickland" <> wrote in message
> news:QFgCi.790$3R5.15@trnddc05...
>>
>> "- Bobb -" <bobb@noemail.123> wrote in message
>> news:. ..
>>>
>>> "Jeff Strickland" <> wrote in message
>>> news:HyYBi.329$sf1.226@trnddc01...
>>>>I have two computers, one is a PC and the other is a laptop. The PC has
>>>>a PCI bus wireless adaptor from D-Link, the laptop has an unknown
>>>>wireless device built in.
>>>>
>>>> When sitting side by side, the laptop connects to my wireless router at
>>>> something on the order of 90%, the PC connects to the same router at
>>>> something approaching 30%. The laptop is connected with "excellent"
>>>> signal strength, the PC connects with "very weak". When the PC connects
>>>> _really well_, the signal strength is reported as "good".
>>>>
>>>> I'm guessing that the wireless adaptor in the PC is crappy. I think I
>>>> paid about $30ish for it. I want to get a good wireless adaptor for the
>>>> PC, any suggestions as to good ones, and the expected price range I
>>>> should be looking at?
>>>>
>>>> Any suggestions as to adaptors to stay away from? (I place my D-Link
>>>> Gold on this list, by the way ... )
>>>>
>>>
>>> Just asking - so don't get mad ... did you setup /tweak the desktop
>>> card? or just plug it into PC and boot ?
>>> http://www.dlink.com/products/suppor...kInstallGuides
>>>
>>> Is desktop nic the same settings as laptop nic ( channel, ad-hoc etc) ?
>>> If all is setup OK, are you sure no external interference ? ( that maybe
>>> big antenna is more susceptible to rather than laptop's built-in). (
>>> built-in wireless for laptop IS tweaked for enclosure). I want you to
>>> avoid buying another only to then discover it's the overhead fluorescent
>>> light causing the interference.
>>
>> The external interference issues are the same,
>> so that shouldn't be the problem.
>>
>> I'm not sure of any of the settings, to be honest.
>
> Well , check them !
> You have been ASSUMING that your desktop has been talking to YOUR router !
>
> Let's say your router is set for CH 6.
> The laptop is set for CH 6 - fine. EXCELLENT connection !
>
> If the desktop is set to CH 7 and a neighbor with no protection on his
> equipment broadcasts on 7 - guess what - you'll connect to his router.
> Guess what - LOUSY connection.
>
> If you're set to use ad-hoc channel 11 and a nearby PC is broadcasting on
> 11 then - you'll use HIS lousy connection.
> http://compnetworking.about.com/od/w...padhocwifi.htm
> 1.. When using ad hoc mode, be aware of several security issues and
> performance limitations of ad hoc WiFi networks.
>
> 2.. The most common sources of trouble in ad hoc mode networking are
> incorrect configuration and insufficient signal strength. Ensure your
> devices are located close enough to each other, and ensure configuration
> settings are made identically on each device.
> Connect to your Router / laptop and WRITE DOWN the SETTINGS - set up both
> PC's the same way.
> In the amount of time we have typed you might have fixed this.
>
>

Sorry, I wasn't clear. I checked that first. I am connected to my own
router, and my router is connected to my computers. I can get into the
router and see all of My Stuff, and I can ping it from all points within my
network.

My only problem is that one machine has an Excellent connection to the
router and another has a Very Poor connection to the same router, with the
computers sitting side by side on the same table.

I went out and bought 802.11n wireless adaptors (I actually have two PC that
have the same problem, but the same laptop does not have the problem so I'm
hung up on the adaptors as the trouble spot), and the PCs are now connected
with Very Good to Excellent signal strength where they previously had Poor
to Very Poor.

For those of you keeping score, I selected the Linksys Wireless-N PCI
Adaptor. This uses the new 802.11n spec. This product has an external
antenna that looks like something out of StarWars, but the upside is that
the antenna can be taken out of behind the machine and placed up high so
there is less blockage of the signal between it and the router. ONE PROBLEM
with the product is that the drivers for Vista are not included, so one must
go to the 'net separately and acquire the Vista drivers. This can be
difficult if for those with only one computer, and it's a Vista machine. The
driver file is small though, and if you take a 1.44 floppy with you to the
store, you can surf the 'net from Best Buy and download the driver files ...

"Jeff Strickland" <> wrote in message
news:rLgCi.792$3R5.192@trnddc05...
> Excuse my ignorance ...
>
> Are you saying that there are wireless that looks (for lack of a better
> description) like a flash drive, that simply plugs into a USB port?
>
> These work better than PCI cards?
>

Much better. Cheaper, easier, transfer a snap, better range....(I'm picking
up either my own signal or my neighbors anytime I want. Get the Zydas (now
Atheros) chipset though. The Ralink ones are crap.


>
> "Mountain Mike^^" <> wrote in message
> news:fba7hc$2ef$...
>> Do a search for Zydas/g chipset on ebay. Last time I looked they were
>> about $6 plus shipping for the USB dongles. They have great range, work
>> with XP and Linux and are better than anything I've tried.....and I've
>> tried a bunch!
>