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The Graveyard - Products No Longer Supported => Routers / COVR => DIR-655 => Topic started by: mocean on June 06, 2010, 05:46:20 PM

Title: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: mocean on June 06, 2010, 05:46:20 PM
So I spent 3 days trying to get -both- my Vista and XP machines to connect to the Internet and each other.  I thought I would explode if I saw the "acquiring network address" one more time.  It was totally my fault though.  Once I realized Dlink couldn't assign an IP to the XP laptop, I zoned in on that.  I discovered that changing from mixed mode to 802.11g only, solved my problem.  Of course, I also realized that I don't have the 802.11n network driver on my XP machine.  I've looked everywhere for this driver and can't find it.  It seems ridiculous that I can't find any information on this, so I my search criteria must be wrong.

Does anyone know if I can run 802.11n on my XP MCE SP3 machine and if so, where can I find the driver?

Sony was of absolutely no help, as usual.

Thanks...
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: davevt31 on June 06, 2010, 07:22:07 PM
XP machines can run N, it all depends the actual NIC card themselves.  Check to see what the actual card in the machine is and get the latest driver from the manufacturer.
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: Sammydad1 on June 06, 2010, 08:51:18 PM
Hi,

There have been some references to intel wireless adapters not connecting quite right to the 655 in .11N mode...  Maybe somebody will jump in about that topic...as I do not use any of those intel adapters, I can't speak to that topic specifically....

I have used XP with wireless for several years with no issues aquiring IP addresses.... I did use DHCP reservations as much as possible so maybe that also impacted my environment.
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: mocean on June 06, 2010, 11:15:30 PM
XP machines can run N, it all depends the actual NIC card themselves.  Check to see what the actual card in the machine is and get the latest driver from the manufacturer.

Yes, thanks.  After I posted this I realized, in my infinite wisdom  :-[ , that I needed to go to Intel.  You know, nothing is easy.  They have a tool that scans your computer and tells you which drivers need to be upgraded.  Of course, it doesn't say whether it's an upgrade to 802.11n, but I figured it couldn't hurt to install it.  Well, following -their- directions, I downloaded it an installed it.  At that point, it failed to load the network driver?!  ??? because the installed driver -they- told me to install didn't include a compatible upgraded network driver.  What did I install?  Intel's wifi software, though it clearly states "Driver". So, I'm going back now to find the upgrade myself.  They can keep their silly driver scan tool.... >:(
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: mocean on June 06, 2010, 11:18:43 PM
Hi,

There have been some references to intel wireless adapters not connecting quite right to the 655 in .11N mode...  Maybe somebody will jump in about that topic...as I do not use any of those intel adapters, I can't speak to that topic specifically....

I have used XP with wireless for several years with no issues aquiring IP addresses.... I did use DHCP reservations as much as possible so maybe that also impacted my environment.

I've also been wireless for some time, but I'm sick of the slow speeds.  Also, before M$ stops supporting XP next month, I wanted to get the latest and greatest(?) network driver to try and increase the throughput, which is really terrible.  I'm supposed to be able to get 300mbps.  I'm at 54.  Just can't stand it anymore.  I have to do something....
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: Sammydad1 on June 06, 2010, 11:59:31 PM
personally, I upgraded all our home pc's to Win7.  I was surprised that I would have done so because I really liked XP.  But after using win7 for a few weeks on my main pc and seeing its stability and boot speed, the deicision was easy....  I only had a couple older devices that didn't have Win7 drivers, biut such is life...
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: mocean on June 07, 2010, 12:28:01 AM
personally, I upgraded all our home pc's to Win7.  I was surprised that I would have done so because I really liked XP.  But after using win7 for a few weeks on my main pc and seeing its stability and boot speed, the deicision was easy....  I only had a couple older devices that didn't have Win7 drivers, biut such is life...

Yes, I know I should probably upgrade but my mixed network is working so well. I'd hate to start all over again having to upgrade both machines to 7.  Everything is working (but could use better throughput) and you know what they say, if it's not broken..... ;)
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: JimMonz on June 07, 2010, 07:44:00 AM
I have a dual boot laptop, Vista 64-bit and XP 32-bit. Both are able to connect wireless-ly and utilize the full N capacity.

I have an Intel 5300 card.

I used the sticky to set up my router for 300 Mps.
Adjusted the Intel adapter wireless N properties to allow N commumnication (used auto, under both Vista and XPs Device Manager). It was set to 20 MHz by default.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: thecreator on June 07, 2010, 09:13:39 AM
I've also been wireless for some time, but I'm sick of the slow speeds.  Also, before M$ stops supporting XP next month, I wanted to get the latest and greatest(?) network driver to try and increase the throughput, which is really terrible.  I'm supposed to be able to get 300mbps.  I'm at 54.  Just can't stand it anymore.  I have to do something....

Hi mocean,

What is the Transmission Rate set at?  http://192.168.0.1/Basic/Wireless.shtml (http://192.168.0.1/Basic/Wireless.shtml)

If you set the Tranmission Rate high with a Storage Unit plugged into the Router, that is only capable of G Transmission rate, you will have problems moving files around. It will start and stop a lot.

Above statement through Experience owning a NetGear Storage Central Unit that only is hard-wired into the Router and doesn't have a Gigabyte port, only a standard 10/100 Ethernet Port.

Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: mocean on June 07, 2010, 11:18:41 AM
I have a dual boot laptop, Vista 64-bit and XP 32-bit. Both are able to connect wireless-ly and utilize the full N capacity.

I have an Intel 5300 card.

I used the sticky to set up my router for 300 Mps.
Adjusted the Intel adapter wireless N properties to allow N commumnication (used auto, under both Vista and XPs Device Manager). It was set to 20 MHz by default.

Hope this helps.

This is great!  So I know it can be done.  My problem is, Intel is showing only one upgrade for my PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network driver and it's messed up.  When I download the zip, there are two exe files. Installing the larger one produces an upgrade to the wireless software, the same driver I already have while the upgraded driver sits there with an alert that it can't be installed.  Then, a window pops up and tells me I have to upgrade the driver to version 12.x in order to use the upgraded wireless software.  It's completely convoluted.  And, in the end, I don't even know if the driver that won't install is 802.11n.  I posted a request for help, but no responses so far, of course.

Just because I have an Intel network driver, am I stuck with it?  Is there any reason I can't install another XP compatible network driver?  I hesitated doing it for fear of completely messing up my XP machine.

Do I need to upgrade the hardware?

Thanks for your help.
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: mocean on June 07, 2010, 11:26:11 AM
Hi mocean,

What is the Transmission Rate set at?  http://192.168.0.1/Basic/Wireless.shtml (http://192.168.0.1/Basic/Wireless.shtml)

If you set the Tranmission Rate high with a Storage Unit plugged into the Router, that is only capable of G Transmission rate, you will have problems moving files around. It will start and stop a lot.

Above statement through Experience owning a NetGear Storage Central Unit that only is hard-wired into the Router and doesn't have a Gigabyte port, only a standard 10/100 Ethernet Port.


Transmission rate is set to "Best".  54 is the best I can get on the drop-down.  I'm stuck on g because my XP machine doesn't have n and I can't seem to upgrade to it.
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: JimMonz on June 07, 2010, 11:37:36 AM
First of all, what is the model number of the wireless adapter you are trying to use?
(Device Manager/Network Adapters)
It may be a wireless G adapter, there by not being able to even talk at wireless N.

If that is the case, then upgrading the hardware is your only course of action.

I think I have a Intel® WiFi Link 5100 wireless adapter, which supports wireless N on down.
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: JimMonz on June 07, 2010, 11:43:54 AM
Tehehe, I need to read....

If this is your card (PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network):
http://www.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/wireless/prowireless_mobile.htm
It only "talks" A B and G, not N. You'll have to upgrade the network adapter.
No driver will increase its functionality to "N".

I hope this helps.
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: davevt31 on June 07, 2010, 12:19:42 PM
Yep, the clue is ABG card- it will never do N the hardware is limited to what is built into it.  You can buy a N adapter for your machine.
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: thecreator on June 07, 2010, 12:28:54 PM

Transmission rate is set to "Best".  54 is the best I can get on the drop-down.  I'm stuck on g because my XP machine doesn't have n and I can't seem to upgrade to it.

Hi mocean,

Xtreme N Notebook ExpressCard(DWA-643)

Xtreme N Notebook Adapter(DWA-652)

These two Cards for the Notebooks can be added to your Notebook, if the Notebook has those slots.

You can disabled the built-in Wireless Card.

Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: Sammydad1 on June 07, 2010, 04:11:33 PM
I got a very nice PCMCIA (PC Card) .11N adapter for like $10, actually a couple of them off ebay, and they work nicely.  They are very generic no-name brand, but they work and they were a great price.

The one odd thing with them is that only connect up to 270Mbps in .11N mode, (or thats what they report), which is plenty fast enough, but its odd....
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: kthaddock on June 08, 2010, 06:42:45 AM
I depends witch MIMO type they support
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: mocean on June 09, 2010, 11:53:27 AM
Tehehe, I need to read....

If this is your card (PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network):
http://www.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/wireless/prowireless_mobile.htm
It only "talks" A B and G, not N. You'll have to upgrade the network adapter.
No driver will increase its functionality to "N".

I hope this helps.

I checked with Sony and they state that my laptop network card can't be upgraded.  I've run into this situation before with Vaio's.  I have one Vaio that I can't upgrade at all ie, memory, hd, etc.  So, I'm stuck with g I guess. 

Thanks for your help....
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: mocean on June 09, 2010, 11:56:24 AM
Yep, the clue is ABG card- it will never do N the hardware is limited to what is built into it.  You can buy a N adapter for your machine.

Does the adapter plug into a card slot, or do I have to install it inside?  I have a card slot on my Vaio that I've never used...don't know what it is...looking it up now...
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: mocean on June 09, 2010, 11:57:48 AM
Tehehe, I need to read....

If this is your card (PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network):
http://www.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/wireless/prowireless_mobile.htm
It only "talks" A B and G, not N. You'll have to upgrade the network adapter.
No driver will increase its functionality to "N".

I hope this helps.

It does.  Thanks :-[  Networking is new for me, so I'm in a bit of a learning curve. 
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: mocean on June 09, 2010, 12:07:08 PM
I got a very nice PCMCIA (PC Card) .11N adapter for like $10, actually a couple of them off ebay, and they work nicely.  They are very generic no-name brand, but they work and they were a great price.

The one odd thing with them is that only connect up to 270Mbps in .11N mode, (or thats what they report), which is plenty fast enough, but its odd....

I'm checking into this now.  My laptop has the below.  Is this the same as a PCMCIA card?


Expand Memory and Multimedia Through the ExpressCard Slot

The built-in ExpressCard slot on this laptop lets you easily expand the memory, wireless communications, multimedia, or security of the system. There are two types of ExpressCards: the ExpressCard/34, which measures 34mm by 75mm and is shaped like a stick of chewing gum, and the wider ExpressCard/54, which is 54mm by 75mm. The ExpressCard/54 slot, which accepts either type of card, opens up a wider world of expandability, including SmartCard readers, CompactFlash readers, and 1.8-inch disk drives. Few new laptops come equipped with the old PC Card slot that preceded ExpressCard, but if yours does, you can buy an adapter that lets you use ExpressCards in the PC Card slot.
Title: Re: 802.11n possible in XP SP3? No more acquiring net address:-) But sloooow
Post by: davevt31 on June 09, 2010, 12:40:05 PM
Yes you would buy a card that fits into the Slot.  You want one that is called ExpressCard which is different from PCMCIA.