wireless network

Question

I have a wireless network keyed to a Dell True Mobile Wireless Router 1184. I have two dell laptops at either end of my house and both receive 'excellent' signals at 11 Mbps. Recently I bought a Dell Dimension 4600 Desk Top computer using True Mobile Adapter 1300 802 b/g USB 2. The Desktop either has no signal at all or, at best a low signal (very rarely a 'good' signal) and speed varying from 1 Mbps to about 5 Mbps. My Dimension 4150 laptop l(with a built in antenna) located on the desk right next to the Desktop consistenlly receives an 'excellent' signal at 11 Mbps. The person who installed my computer was unable to improves on the receptionn. He said that the True Mobile Adapter 1300 was a piece of junk and suggested that I get a CPI card. I bought a Linksys Wireless-G PCI Adapter to try for a quick fix and had exactly the same problem. I have tried moving the Dell 1300 Adapter all around (and even moved my router around to different locaions) and continued to get the same bad reception on the desk top in spite of the fact that the laptop right next to it continues to get the best signal.  After spending hours with a very patient and seemingly competent Dell wireless technician, the technician finally concluded that my only solution was to buy a second router and bridge the network. He said that the second router had to be the same make and model as the first one. The problem is that Dell no longer sells the 1184 Router so it means that I would have to buy two new routers. Before I do that, would some kind expert advise me: (1) Is this likely to work (2) will my exisiting cable moden connection on one router suffice for boh (3) should I buy Dell routers or some other make (4) Is there some type of antenna booster for the Adapter that would do the job instead of two routers.  Any help will be greatly appreciated.

NemesisDB · Answer

Some questions for ya and some things to try

What do you use the wireless network for? If it's just for internet sharing then the 5mpbs should be sufficient

Will the desktop get an 11mpbs signal if you locate it next to the router? If it does, it would help rule out some hardware problems. If it will not, it makes you wonder. Coincidentally, don't waste your money buying G cards on a B network. B will work better with other B products.

Can you relocate your current wireless router close to the desktop? If you can reach the desktop with cat5e cabling, do that -- it'll be faster.

Have you tried the most recent firmware and drivers for the cards?

I would not buy a second router -- any access point capable of acting as a repeater should do the trick if it's a question of signal quality -- the fact that the laptop has a good signal makes me doubt this however.

As an alternative wireless product, you could buy a wireless to ethernet bridge and set it on the desk (near where the laptop works), and then connect it to the desktop via ethernet cable. I can't image why this would work better than a USB 2 adapter in a similar position though.

Message Edited by NemesisDB on 08-20-2004 07:46 PM

jamesr270 · Answer

Thank you Nemsis DD for your very thoughtful message. To answer your questions, I use the network mainly for internet sharing, some file sharing and printer sharing. Of course, the sharing is not available when the 1300 Adapter fades out entirely or has a very low signal. I could manage without the file and printer sharing if I can improve the signal. In trouble shooting the 1300 Adapter, I did not move the desk top closer to the router. Instead, I tried the 1300 Adapter  on my laptop. When my laptop was close to the desk top, I got the same bad results. When I placed the laptop right next to the router I got an 'excellent' signal with 11 Mbps speed. It seems likely that distance from the router is the problem with the 1300 Adapter. I am now considering running a CAT 5 cable with RJ45 connectors from one of the internet ports on my router to the RJ45 port on my desk top. The distance is about 75-100 feet if I do internal wiring. Do you think this would work without repeaters or should I get Cat 5 cable with repeaters? This would cost more but, if it will work, might offer a better and possibly even cheaper solution in the long run. What do you think? Again, I sincerely appreciate your help.

NemesisDB · Answer

Internal wiring can be a pain, but if you can do it, it's not a bad idea overall. I'm not sure what the max distance is between a switch and a computer off hand but I want to say it's 100m, so you shouldn't need any repeaters (or need to use fiber) if you do that. Although, if you wanted to wire everything with fiber or use cat6 I'd hardly try and stop you.

As for whether to go wired or wireless, it really depends on your needs and how hard the internal wiring would be. I think a wireless repeater of some kind would probably work fine and might be much easier on you, but there are few negatives to hard-wiring a desktop -- minus the pain of actually doing it.

You might also consider trying an omnidirectional antenna for the router...

Message Edited by NemesisDB on 08-21-2004 11:18 AM

NemesisDB · Answer

I'd appreciate that ... because while I can offer advice, I've never had the opportunity to use a wireless repeater or a hi-gain ant.  At anyrate, I hope you get it working

jamesr270 · Answer

You have been a great help. I can't thank you enough! I'll look into all of your suggestions and, hopefully, will choose one to solve the problem. If you wish, I'll report back to you on the outcome.

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