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[mocean]

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...

[davevt31]

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.

[Sammydad1]

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.

[mocean]

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....

[mocean]

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....

[Sammydad1]

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...

[mocean]

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.....

[JimMonz]

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.

[thecreator]

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

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.

[mocean]

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.

[mocean]

Hi mocean,

What is the Transmission Rate set at?  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.

[JimMonz]

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.

[JimMonz]

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.

[davevt31]

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.

[thecreator]

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.