replacing my pci wireless card

be4con · 12-18-2006, 07:33 AM

Hi

I have been having problems with my Ralink RT2500 wireless network card. It's dropping out constantly even when the signal strength is listed as excellent or very good. All day today the signal strength has been excellent and the speed 54Mps but I have been losing connection about every 30-40 seconds

. I've updated the drivers and reinstalled the card. I've changed the network channel in my router setup in case there is interferance from another nearby network. None of this has helped. At the same time I can connect without dropouts using my laptop.

So, I've come to the conclusion that my card has given up the ghost and I need to replace it.

I have a few questions:

Should I replace the card with another internal PCI card or do you get better performance from an external USB device?

If I get an internal card should I get a separate external aerial to improve the range.

Can anyone recommend a card/usb device that will b compatible with my BT Voyager 2110 router?

Thanks in advance for any help.

**johnwill** · 12-18-2006, 09:24 AM

Before you replace the PCI card, consider an external antenna. One issue with PCI wireless cards is the fact the antenna is buried behind the machine. As for compatibility, any 802.11b/g card should be compatible with that router.

be4con · 12-18-2006, 09:49 AM

Thanks John. Would I still be getting the speeds (it's a 54Mps card so it's operating at full tilt) I'm getting and the excellent signal strength despite the dropouts if it was due to the aerial though? Also, this is something that has only started happening recently and is getting more problematic by the day.

Since I first posted I've looked a bit more closely at my system. I only have 2 PCI cards 1 is the graphics card, the other a TV card. The wireless card is described in device manager as a Ralink RT2500 USB Wireless LAN, so it appears it is not a PCI card after all, it's just an internal USB card. I had just (wrongly) assumed that as it was internal it would be PCI. I can't see any way of attaching an external aerial to this card (from the outside of the case at least).

Any other suggestions or would I be better fitting a PCI card with an external aerial?

be4con · 12-19-2006, 03:23 AM

I have installed the wireless USB adapter, which I have for my work laptop, into my desktop and am getting a good signal without any dropouts. Do you think this would support the fact that my internal USB adapter is kaput?

**johnwill** · 12-19-2006, 02:22 PM

Well, I am not a fan of USB for anything network oriented, since it's not nearly as reliable as using real connections.

be4con · 12-20-2006, 04:13 AM

Thanks John

OK, so I think I'll fit a PCI card, can you recommend a make and model which has good range?

Will I need to physically uninstall my internal USB adapter or will it be fine to just disable it?

**johnwill** · 12-20-2006, 05:19 PM

You can just disable it. I'd buy a Linksys or D-Link to name a couple, and an external antenna for it. That should do the trick nicely.

be4con · 12-21-2006, 02:31 AM

Thanks John.

Happy Christmas!

12-18-2006, 07:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
be4con Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 62 OS: XP Home	replacing my pci wireless card Hi I have been having problems with my Ralink RT2500 wireless network card. It's dropping out constantly even when the signal strength is listed as excellent or very good. All day today the signal strength has been excellent and the speed 54Mps but I have been losing connection about every 30-40 seconds . I've updated the drivers and reinstalled the card. I've changed the network channel in my router setup in case there is interferance from another nearby network. None of this has helped. At the same time I can connect without dropouts using my laptop. So, I've come to the conclusion that my card has given up the ghost and I need to replace it. I have a few questions: Should I replace the card with another internal PCI card or do you get better performance from an external USB device? If I get an internal card should I get a separate external aerial to improve the range. Can anyone recommend a card/usb device that will b compatible with my BT Voyager 2110 router? Thanks in advance for any help.

12-18-2006, 09:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,623 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Before you replace the PCI card, consider an external antenna. One issue with PCI wireless cards is the fact the antenna is buried behind the machine. As for compatibility, any 802.11b/g card should be compatible with that router. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-19-2006, 02:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,623 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Well, I am not a fan of USB for anything network oriented, since it's not nearly as reliable as using real connections. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-20-2006, 05:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,623 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	You can just disable it. I'd buy a Linksys or D-Link to name a couple, and an external antenna for it. That should do the trick nicely. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

12-18-2006, 09:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
be4con Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 62 OS: XP Home	Thanks John. Would I still be getting the speeds (it's a 54Mps card so it's operating at full tilt) I'm getting and the excellent signal strength despite the dropouts if it was due to the aerial though? Also, this is something that has only started happening recently and is getting more problematic by the day. Since I first posted I've looked a bit more closely at my system. I only have 2 PCI cards 1 is the graphics card, the other a TV card. The wireless card is described in device manager as a Ralink RT2500 USB Wireless LAN, so it appears it is not a PCI card after all, it's just an internal USB card. I had just (wrongly) assumed that as it was internal it would be PCI. I can't see any way of attaching an external aerial to this card (from the outside of the case at least). Any other suggestions or would I be better fitting a PCI card with an external aerial?

12-19-2006, 03:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
be4con Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 62 OS: XP Home	I have installed the wireless USB adapter, which I have for my work laptop, into my desktop and am getting a good signal without any dropouts. Do you think this would support the fact that my internal USB adapter is kaput?

12-20-2006, 04:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
be4con Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 62 OS: XP Home	Thanks John OK, so I think I'll fit a PCI card, can you recommend a make and model which has good range? Will I need to physically uninstall my internal USB adapter or will it be fine to just disable it?

12-21-2006, 02:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
be4con Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 62 OS: XP Home	Thanks John. Happy Christmas!