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[brtlatjgt]

I keep losing connection on my laptop.

The signal strength is only 36mbps when I'm sitting right next to my desktop.
This is really starting to piss me off.  Real tempted to just take the %^&* back

[claykin]

Which hardware version?  Which wireless client?  Do you have the latest drivers for the wireless client?  What security settings are you using (WPA/TKIP, WPA2/AES, etc.)  5Ghz or 2.4Ghz?

In a nutshell, more details please!

[brtlatjgt]

b version hardware
2.02na
2.4ghz
wpa-tkip

[claykin]

What type of client is in your notebook?  Atheros, Broadcom, Ralink, Intel, etc?  Also which series chipset and the driver version?  You can get all this info from Device Manager.

BTW, TKIP throughout is lower than if you use WPA2/AES.  Your client hardware needs to be newer to do AES well.  Also, if you don't have XP SP3 you may not have the WPA2 patch from Microsoft. 

http://www.microsoft.com/DOWNLOADS/details.aspx?familyid=662BB74D-E7C1-48D6-95EE-1459234F4483&displaylang=en

http://www.microsoft.com/DOWNLOADS/details.aspx?familyid=2726F32F-D52B-4F84-ACE8-F7FC20195769&displaylang=en

[brtlatjgt]

broadcom 440x 10/100.  I will check on updated driver.
Windows service pack 3
Chipset?  Do you mean processor?
Thanks for helping

[claykin]

broadcom 440x 10/100.  I will check on updated driver.
Windows service pack 3
Chipset?  Do you mean processor?
Thanks for helping

Broadcom 440x is a wired LAN chip.  What is your wireless chipset and driver version?

[brtlatjgt]

I have a dell 1390wlan card.  Will look for correct driver.  Forgive my ignorance
but where do I find out my chipset?  Thanks again

[claykin]

Dell 1390 is a Broadcom chipset.  Copy this link in your browser to find the latest Win XP driver from Dell.  Its a big download.  In the future I recommend you NOT buy the Dell branded wifi.

This link is for 32 bit XP only.  Don't use with Vista or 64 bit Windows XP.

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R174291&SystemID=INSPIRONI6400/E1505&servicetag=&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=9805&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=6&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=5&fileid=236819

[brtlatjgt]

I bought a Dell so that's what it came with.   Thanks for the download link.  I only have g on this card.  It looks like the card can be replaced from the bottom.   Can you recommend a card to replace it with and where I might be able to buy it?  I would like n draft card?

I'm thinking it's not the router.  Seems like other people have had similar problems with this card.  I never had connection problems with my old wrt54g but I was using wep.  It seems that others are saying they are having problems using wpa2.   

Some of the suggested fixes, are:

1) as you mentioned----update driver
2) disable dell wireless manager and use windows
3)if i understand correctly, to update to a broadcom driver # 5.10.91.8. (4/15/09). 
I'm not sure about number 3 if it would apply to me.  I have a dell inspirion 9400/e1705 running windows xp sp3 32 bit.
4) use only wpa encryption not wpa2

Thanks again for taking time to help

[BassMan]

I bought a Dell so that's what it came with.   Thanks for the download link.  I only have g on this card.  It looks like the card can be replaced from the bottom.   Can you recommend a card to replace it with and where I might be able to buy it?  I would like n draft card?

I'm thinking it's not the router.  Seems like other people have had similar problems with this card.  Some of the suggested fixes, are:

1) as you mentioned----update driver
2) disable dell wireless manager and use windows
3)if i understand correctly, to update to a broadcom driver # 5.10.91.8. (4/15/09). 
I'm not sure about number 3 if it would apply to me.  I have a dell inspirion 9400/e1705.

Thanks again for taking time to help

If you can find a HW:B1 one, I highly recommend the D-Link DWA-160 (with the RALINK driver - see thread on that).

It is USB, not an internal mini-PCI, but I like the flexibility.  I also use a wooden "lap-desk", though and only have my laptop at home.  For more portable applications, the "extra doo-hicky" could be an issue, but on the plus side, it comes with an "expansion base" that gives you flexibility where you set the DWA-160 (read: antenna).

[brtlatjgt]

If I were to go that route how do I disable the other 1390 wlan adapter?  Do I just go in device manager and disable it there?  Does it specify on the outside of the box which adapter it is  REV A or B.

My 825 is REV B

[BassMan]

If I were to go that route how do I disable the other 1390 wlan adapter?  Do I just go in device manager and disable it there?  Does it specify on the outside of the box which adapter it is  REV A or B.

My 825 is REV B

On my Dell D600, I press F2 to go into setup, and disable it there.

On my Lenovo (IBM) T-60, there's a switch to turn on/off the wireless.

Unless you see a switch, it is probably disabled in BIOS setup.

[claykin]

Yes, you can disable the Dell 1390 adapter in Device Manager.  Right click on the device and select disable.  On some notebooks you can disable the wireless hardware in BIOS.  I prefer to disable in BIOS if that option is available.

Dell usually offers several wireless options with many of their notebooks.  Dell's sold at retailers such as Staples, etc. don't have that option.  I usually recommend people stick with the Intel wireless as I have had excellent luck with Intel's wireless chipsets made in the last 3 years or so.  Plus router manufacturers always make sure their products work well with Intel wireless chipsets/drivers since these are extremely popular.

You may be able to replace your mini PCI wireless card in your notebook but beware that Dell and many other manufacturers often code their BIOS to only allow mini PCI cards approved by Dell.  The Intel 4965 a/g/n card is approved for the 9400 but make sure you find one that has been certified to work in a Dell laptop.

[brtlatjgt]

Found it on the dell site for $70 buck.  Say's it is compatible with my laptop.  Under specs it has this:

128-bit WEP, 64-bit WEP, TLS, PEAP, TKIP, AES-CCMP

My ? is I don't see wpa or wpa2.  Is that the same as tkip or aes?

[brtlatjgt]

Downloaded updated driver from dell site and  it's a noticeable difference.   So far no dropoffs on the internet connection.  Thanks for helping and hopefully this is the fix.

Can I ask a couple of more ?'s.   On my desktop I did a speed test.  On my desktop the download speed is
9 mbps and the upload is .54.

On my laptop the download speed is 6.5 mbps and the again the upload is .54.

Are those numbers ok?   The download seems good to me but the upload seems slow.

Secondly I flashed my old linksys with tomato but I'm not sure how to configure it for a bridge.  Is this something that's appropriate  to ask here?

Thanks again for your help