Improving wireless reception on a desktop

[programmer]

At a guess I'd blame the WG111. Buy another one (perhaps different brand) from somewhere like Dick Smith and test it on the laptop. You can always get a refund, no questions asked. If you don't need the portability, get a non-USB modem for the laptop and just disconnect it when you move.

[Maverick]

Hi OneOfOne
Is your desktop connected to Motorola Cable modem through USB cable or Ethernet cable?Ethernet cable is better option.Also on laptop you have pluged in USB wireless adapter Netgear 111.Your laptop doesnt have wireless built in or the built in wireless died?I hoped that you have read my privious replay.I had cable internet for years and Motorola 5100 modem (DSL now).My wireless was through D-Link Wireless router 524 and never had serious problems.Disconnections on your wireless you are getting could be interferences of some other radio signals going around(other wireless modems/routers, cordless phones...).But if you are getting disconected of internet on your desktop (which is connected via cable USB or Ethernet) then, have a chat to BigPond to replace modem or if they can explane why you get disconected sometimes (could be problem on optical cable from your house to exchange).Before buying good router try to change channel on your modem.They go from 1-13.Channels 1-6-11 are the best because they will hardly conflict with other signals (Ch 6) is favorite.
Hope this helped

[edk]

Hi OneOfOne. At the risk of turning this into a saga, I'd have to say that your hardware is probably not at fault. I would still recommend that you check settings. You are running a mixed net, XP and Vista. These OS's do not do networking (wireless or otherwise) in the same ways and therefore make the job of communicating that much more, interesting! I run a mixed net at home with 2 XP boxes and Vista laptop. I have recently changed address and used a local service provider at my old address. My old ISP don't provide service at my new address so I switched to BigPond (Big Mistake) I originally used the modem that Bigpond provided (complete rubbish). My laptop saw the change in the network that came with the new modem and Vista being Vista completely reconfigured its networking, blocking out my desktop and my F&P server. Even though it worked OK, the Bigpond modem operated with settings proprietary to Bigpond. I replaced the modem, no change. I disabled and reset all networking on my systems, and after some frustration everything now works OK. I have gone through this process with some 20 other people, all with similar symptoms and all ending up OK. Thats not to say yours is the same problem, but, a new modem/router costs money, reseting you network parameters doesn't.


Cheers
ed

[wraithe]

I havent been here for months, and returned to see a thread thats about wireless, oh boy what is it with Vista..
EDK has that in one, vista can cause major dramas in a network, try mixing it with xp and linux...dhcp and vista is ok, but the network can be killed by vista, then manual you say, hmmm, i wish, vista tries to do all the work for you, pity its lost in its own little world...
As edk stated, reset and restart, piece by piece, its just time not money...
If you end up with a lack of signal(and i would be inclined to find a friend who can check signal strength for you first) then a solution would be a simple little home made can antennae, place up high so its not able to be looked into or near anyones head...This little piece of gear can give a 40mw router/modem a range of up to 200m with ease...thats not bad as you can make them from a pringles tin, yes the carboard ali lined ones....
I will try to find you a link...

http://www.wlan.org.uk/antenna-page.html
This link has a few diff antennae projects...

http://flakey.info/antenna/waveguide/
This antennae wont cost the earth and can be enjoyable making...


I am in the process of making something simular, but for a range of 7 klms and of course for outdoors use..
Any modem/router with wireless has an antennae of sorts, even tho internal, just find where it is and if possible find schematics of the board, then your more than half way there, but do as EDK said first, or this may be a waste of time....