usb wireless adapter concerns

jere_harless · 11-22-2006, 04:19 AM

hey there Mr. Spencer. first and foremost ive been reading this forum for ages, i even use it to help with computer troubleshooting at work( i'm fairly good with computers, so im my companies tech guy lol) and finally have a question that someone else hasn't already asked( i think). before i do, thanks so much for all the help you've already given me and thanks for the help you'll probably give now.

i have one of those d-link usb wireless g adapters( i know usb sucks, but it was 20 bucks and when you have 2 kids and a low end job, you pinch where you can) so that i can connect to the wireless networks both at home and at work. my adapter came with this nifty software to manage the connection, and its always on, but im afraid to try new things so i let windows manage my connection.

what i want to know is: is the software that came with the adapter better, worse, or does it even matter.

i do have lots of connectivity issues and almost always have to restart my computer if i change which network im connecting to or ill never connect. i just did the arp cache thing and that may be all there is to it, but something tells me that my issues may arise from either a: using both winblows and d-link software to manage my connection or b: the fact that i am using a usb adapter cause im poor.

your thoughts are greatly appreciated, thanks in advance

Will.Spencer · 11-22-2006, 06:39 AM

I have adapters from all sorts of different manufacturers, and each one comes with their own nifty little configuration software.

I don't want to learn a dozen new little software applications, all different. Therefore, I always use Windows to configure my WiFi cards.

If your WiFi card works, that means it's configured OK and the configuration program probably isn't going to help you.

I have seen that the little USB adapters have poor signal quality, probably because there isn't much room for an antenna in there -- but possibly also because USB doesn't provide a lot of power.

Have you tried repairing your network connection instead of rebooting?

Are you getting any error messages at all?

When you have a "connectivity issue", do you lose signal? Or, do you have signal and then you still can't connect?

jere_harless · 11-22-2006, 06:53 AM

repairing always returns the message

"unable to connect to network, windows will continue to try to connect"

and by connectivity issues i mean i will start at 54Mbs and slowly drop to 1 and then go back up to 5.5.

also i connect my adapter through a hub which has a long cable( so i can place it high low or away to grab best signal) and also has the ability to be self powered. if i plug in the hub do you think that would increase the power to the adapter and maybe fix the connectivity issue?

Will.Spencer · 11-22-2006, 10:52 AM

I would try that. But heck, with RF it's good to try almost anything.

It sounds like just a weak signal problem.

jere_harless · 11-23-2006, 08:33 AM

ok so get this, i stopped letting windows manage my connection, and poof!!!! no more connectivity issues!

i love winblows lol

Will.Spencer · 11-23-2006, 05:32 PM

Very interesting! I had not seen this before!