I have the same notebook and wireless card that you do. I use the Intel Proset to manage my connections. I found that the proset would find networks that windows wouldn't. For example, I couldn't find my campus network scanning with the XP manager. So I disbaled it and scanned with proset and it found the network without a problem.
I use the ProSet. I roam among 3 different wireless networks a day, and the ProSet switches among them much more quickly. Plus, i can use the Notification icon to select a specific profile. It's GUI is much more clear than Microsoft's - you know when it's connected to a router, which one it's connected to, etc.
The only downside to the ProSet I've found is that it does not work with Fast User Switching. If you are connected to a router and you switch users, the 2nd user cannot connect to the network. You have to log out of the first user and then the 2nd user can connect. Microsoft's doesn't have that limitation.
My last word is that Intel's 2100 card stinks, compatibility-wise. There are a lot of AP's I've used in coffee shops, etc that it won't support. So I carry my old Linksys card in my bag. I turn off the Intel radio, pop in the Linksys card, and connect to the troublesome networks. You'd think that for such a major product, Intel would get better compatibility. Beyond that, I use it at least 8 hours a day without much trouble.
Quick question: does the Intel utility let you set thje static IP address for the laptop (I cannot find it anywhere so if I disable the Windows utility, it seesm to me, I will have to switch back on DHCP which I do not want to do).
rodal
69 Posts
0
March 19th, 2004 23:00
I pesonally let XP run the "wireless stuff." I like XP because a balloon tip will show in the system tray if there are available wireless networks.
It works well for me and I've read somewhere in the forums that it manages mutiple connections better.
MISMCSA
8 Posts
0
March 23rd, 2004 00:00
I have the same notebook and wireless card that you do. I use the Intel Proset to manage my connections. I found that the proset would find networks that windows wouldn't. For example, I couldn't find my campus network scanning with the XP manager. So I disbaled it and scanned with proset and it found the network without a problem.
Speed wise, I assume it would be the same.
Marshall_600m
128 Posts
0
March 24th, 2004 03:00
I use the ProSet. I roam among 3 different wireless networks a day, and the ProSet switches among them much more quickly. Plus, i can use the Notification icon to select a specific profile. It's GUI is much more clear than Microsoft's - you know when it's connected to a router, which one it's connected to, etc.
The only downside to the ProSet I've found is that it does not work with Fast User Switching. If you are connected to a router and you switch users, the 2nd user cannot connect to the network. You have to log out of the first user and then the 2nd user can connect. Microsoft's doesn't have that limitation.
My last word is that Intel's 2100 card stinks, compatibility-wise. There are a lot of AP's I've used in coffee shops, etc that it won't support. So I carry my old Linksys card in my bag. I turn off the Intel radio, pop in the Linksys card, and connect to the troublesome networks. You'd think that for such a major product, Intel would get better compatibility. Beyond that, I use it at least 8 hours a day without much trouble.
froggy68300
35 Posts
0
March 24th, 2004 19:00
Quick question: does the Intel utility let you set thje static IP address for the laptop (I cannot find it anywhere so if I disable the Windows utility, it seesm to me, I will have to switch back on DHCP which I do not want to do).
Thanks.