*USB adapter instead of built in wireless
in [Wireless]
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From: Lem on 7 Feb 2010 14:53 Nicdig wrote: > I thank all that replied. > I think though, Lem, that you mentioned something that I did not even > consider. > Is the antennae ON the screen itself?? If that is so, then maybe that is the > problem. > > On the bottom right corner of my HP laptop, the screen is broken somewhat. > It's like the hinge broke and the screen in that area only, dangles. So long > as I keep the LT in an open position, then the screen does not 'open'up too > much in that area. > But if I jiggle the screen is to try to get it flushed and stay put on the > hinge (where main part of the laptop is), I can see that eventually screen > will break away from that corner & will need to be replaced. The screen size > is 17". > > I will out rule interferrence of other appliances and such because this LT > is pretty stationed in the same spot for months and months. Never had a > problem until I got lots of malware that took forever to clear up. > > Ironically, 6 weeks ago when the LT cleaned up, the wireless problem > started. I have thought that maybe the virus thing had something to do with > it. Have been rescanning and posting log files to reputable sites for help, > but they cant seem to find anything still regarding the wireless issue. The > screen being broken, I think, happened a weeks before the virus prob.. > > My LT channel is set to channel 9. And so is my desktop using the linksys > adapter. Should I change them to be different? > BTW, the majority of networks in range and in my neighborhood have secured > connections. So, my laptop wouldnt be able to 'use' their connection; which > means even if they have channel 9, it wouldnt interefere...right?. > > thanks again, > Windows XP home edition sp2 using firefox or IE8 > > > > > "Lem" <lemp40(a)unknownhost> wrote in message > news:uY6DrM2pKHA.4336(a)TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >> Nicdig wrote: >>> Hi, Have a pretty basic question. My laptop has built in wireless. But, I >>> have been having issues with the connection dropping. >>> Happens no matter what browser i use, on and off throughout the day; it >>> has become inconsistant at times. >>> I did some trouble shooting and I cant determine what the problem is. I >>> am thinking getting a linksys wireless USB adapter so that I can see how >>> the connection works when used on my laptop. >>> >>> If while trying the USB adapter, the connection is up 100%, then I will >>> assume that my wireless card is going bad on my LT. If I am still havin >>> issues, then its back to looking within the laptop files itself. >>> >>> My questions are in regard to the initial set up of the USB adapter: >>> >>> Is it simply a matter of manually turning OFF my wireless button, then >>> installing the linksys software and letting it wireless configure my >>> laptop (so that windows does not)??? Is that all that is to it? >>> >>> I already use a linksys usb adapter on a desktop (in my home) that never >>> came with wireless. (There is no issues with the desktop. The qwest modem >>> works perfectly.) But I was wondering if this is the way to do it on a >>> machine that already came with wireless installed. >>> Thanks in advance >>> >>> >>> >> Although you certainly can do what you want, it seems like it's starting >> with the most expensive solution to your problem first. Before you buy >> the new adapter, you might try a few no-cost solutions: >> >> - Do you have the problem no matter where you are physically using the >> laptop? Try using it in a different room and/or turning it in different >> orientations (the antenna generally is in the lid surrounding the screen). >> Consider that the USB adapter you're using with your other computer may >> have a better antenna than the laptop, so just because the other computer >> has no problems in a particular location doesn't mean that the laptop >> similarly should work well in that location. >> >> - Do you have any sources of RF interference near where you generally use >> the laptop, e.g., cordless telephones, microwave ovens, baby monitors, >> other wireless devices? See if your drop-outs correlate with usage of any >> of these. >> >> - Do you live in an area where you have nearby neighbors who may have >> their own wireless networks? Try changing the channel --> do this on the >> *router* You should use channel 1, 6, or 11. If you currently are using >> channel 1, try 11 (and vice-versa); if you're using 6, try 1 or 11. >> >> You should disable the built-in wireless, either with the "wireless >> button" or by going to Device Manager and disabling it there. >> >> You can use either the Linksys software *or* Windows to configure the USB >> adapter -- but not both at the same time. >> >> -- >> Lem >> >> Apollo 11 - 40 years ago: >> http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/40th/index.html > > Laptop antennas run along the top and/or sides of the screen (under the covers), and are reached by wires that are under the back cover of the screen. The antenna cable (which likely is several separate wires) goes through the hinges to reach the wireless adapter in the main chassis of the laptop. Depending on the model, one of the antenna wires may run through the right hinge -- which on your laptop is broken. Even if all of the antenna wires run through the left unbroken hinge, the fact that the other hinge is broken puts stress on those wires and may be loosening their connections. Thus, your broken hinge could very well be the source of your wireless problems. In the US, wireless-G is allocated 11 channels. The way that the system is specified, however, causes adjacent channels to overlap and therefore interfere with each other. The usual recommendation to avoid interference is to use only channels 1, 6, and 11, which have the maximum separation from each other. Your use of channel 9 thus -- potentially -- could cause interference with neighboring systems that use either channel 6 or channel 11. See this picture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2.4_GHz_Wi-Fi_channels_%28802.11b,g_WLAN%29.svg If you want to change your channel in order to be a better neighbor you could, although you run the risk of guessing wrong, so you might as well leave it alone. I suspect that any nearby neighbor that was bothered by interference from your system has long ago changed to channel 1. That the nearby wifi systems are secured is not relevant with respect to interference. Think of it this way: suppose you like to watch TV on channel 2. If your next door neighbor broadcasts TV in Chinese on channel 3, you won't be watching much TV that you can understand. -- Lem Apollo 11 - 40 years ago: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/40th/index.html
From: Gary McQuigg on 12 Feb 2010 09:55
Try wifi inspecter at http://www.xirrus.com/library/wifitools.php "Nicdig" <Nic(a)nic.com> wrote in message news:uBe9ot1pKHA.2076(a)TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > Hi, Have a pretty basic question. My laptop has built in wireless. But, I > have been having issues with the connection dropping. > Happens no matter what browser i use, on and off throughout the day; it > has become inconsistant at times. > I did some trouble shooting and I cant determine what the problem is. I am > thinking getting a linksys wireless USB adapter so that I can see how the > connection works when used on my laptop. > > If while trying the USB adapter, the connection is up 100%, then I will > assume that my wireless card is going bad on my LT. If I am still havin > issues, then its back to looking within the laptop files itself. > > My questions are in regard to the initial set up of the USB adapter: > > Is it simply a matter of manually turning OFF my wireless button, then > installing the linksys software and letting it wireless configure my > laptop (so that windows does not)??? Is that all that is to it? > > I already use a linksys usb adapter on a desktop (in my home) that never > came with wireless. (There is no issues with the desktop. The qwest modem > works perfectly.) But I was wondering if this is the way to do it on a > machine that already came with wireless installed. > Thanks in advance > > > |