Need New Wireless Network Adapter

~~Girderman~~ · 12-30-2006, 06:55 PM

I have a 2Wire USB Adapter to connect to the internet via wireless router, and I am coming to the belief that it is the cause of all of my slow & bad connections.

Here's what I have:
http://www.2wire.com/?p=117

I hate it, and 5 minutes ago completely lost it and tore the antenna off of it. Not surprisingly, the loss of it's antenna does not seemed to have impaired it's usual level of operation.

Read another thread just now. JohnWill doesn't like anything USB for networking because it is not a "real" connection.

I don't have a problem with PCI, I just need to know that it's better in some way. Also, is there a qualitive difference in wireless network adapters ? It appears that 54 Mbs is the "top speed". Are there any that go faster ?

I will probably buy me next one at newegg, so are there any specifications I should be looking for ?

If I go PCI, how do I get the antenna to get maybe 3-5 feet from the back of the computer case ?

Any help appreciated & thanks in advance.

Also, I have a slightly used 2wire USB Network Adapter for sale. Slightly damaged, some minor repairs may be required. Item to be sold "as is".

Girderman

~~Girderman~~ · 01-01-2007, 03:25 PM

NO - B U D D Y Loves me, EVERY-BODY hates me, I think I'll eat some

WORMS !

(bump)

**johnwill** · 01-02-2007, 08:20 AM

If you pick up a PCI wireless adapter, you should also get an external antenna. That way, you'll have a cable and a base to position the antenna above the noise for good connections.

How were the worms?

~~Girderman~~ · 01-13-2007, 03:07 PM

Okay I am gettting closer to buying a PCI wireless network adapter.

First, how about this one :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833127145

Some questions:

Data Rate "standard" seems to be 54 Mps. Does a faster card get faster data transmission, or is that router-dependant ?

Frequency Band - Does "one size fit all", or is the frequency dependant on the router also ?

Modulation - Do I need to worry about this ?

WPA/WPA2 - Does this matter ? What does it mean ?

Here's a list of wireless adapters, listed by popularity on NewEgg. Are all of these the same, or is there a real difference between them ?

The prices range from $20.00 - $50.00. Does it matter which I get. I can afford the expensive one, but would like to know why I am spending the extra $30.00.

Thanks in advance for the help,

Girderman

**johnwill** · 01-14-2007, 05:57 PM

Dual rate is a/b, 11mbit/54mbit. Frequency band is standard for 802.11b/g equipment. WPA is good, that's encryption that actually works. :) Forget about moudulation, I have no idea why they specify it, and it's obviously standard for compatible products.

I'd get the D-Link, it's a decent card.

~~Girderman~~ · 01-21-2007, 06:35 PM

I read some reviews of the DLink card, and some of them have spooked me a bit.

There's a NetGear card I am thinking might be more reliable/easier to use for an extra $20.00.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833122134

And I have noticed that 54 Mbps and 108 Mbps are the two "standard". I am still unclear on if the data exchange rate is driven by the PCI Card or the Router.

Will my internet run faster if I buy a 108 Mpbs PCI Card ?

Also, I am going to take the advise to purchase an external antenna, primarily because there are 3 walls between the router and my computer, and the PCI card will mount with the PC in between it and the router.

Does "quality" count for an external antenna ?

Here's the one I want to buy:

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16833147115

Thanks johnwill for your help. And anyone else that wants to help too !

**johnwill** · 01-22-2007, 10:11 AM

108mbit is NOT a "standard", it's a kludge trying to increase the data rate, and only works within a single brand's equipment.

Internet access will not run any faster with a 108mbit card, since you probably don't have that fast a pipe.

As far as the reviews, both appear to have gotten a "4 egg review", seems like they're about the same.

The antenna you are point to doesn't seem to specify the gain, which I find odd, unless it sucks. I think I'd stick to some that actually have complete specifications.

Here's an assortment that I sometimes pick from: http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/...ID=32&FamID=58

I also have a 7db D-Link antenna I got on a rebate deal for $15 here. Here it is for $16, and it's worked well for me: http://dealnews.com/deals/D-Link-Omn...te/149949.html

12-30-2006, 06:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
~~Girderman~~ Troubled Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,096 OS: XP Pro	Need New Wireless Network Adapter I have a 2Wire USB Adapter to connect to the internet via wireless router, and I am coming to the belief that it is the cause of all of my slow & bad connections. Here's what I have: http://www.2wire.com/?p=117 I hate it, and 5 minutes ago completely lost it and tore the antenna off of it. Not surprisingly, the loss of it's antenna does not seemed to have impaired it's usual level of operation. Read another thread just now. JohnWill doesn't like anything USB for networking because it is not a "real" connection. I don't have a problem with PCI, I just need to know that it's better in some way. Also, is there a qualitive difference in wireless network adapters ? It appears that 54 Mbs is the "top speed". Are there any that go faster ? I will probably buy me next one at newegg, so are there any specifications I should be looking for ? If I go PCI, how do I get the antenna to get maybe 3-5 feet from the back of the computer case ? Any help appreciated & thanks in advance. Also, I have a slightly used 2wire USB Network Adapter for sale. Slightly damaged, some minor repairs may be required. Item to be sold "as is". Girderman

01-01-2007, 03:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
~~Girderman~~ Troubled Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,096 OS: XP Pro	Self-Pity ... NO - B U D D Y Loves me, EVERY-BODY hates me, I think I'll eat some WORMS ! (bump)

01-02-2007, 08:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,654 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	If you pick up a PCI wireless adapter, you should also get an external antenna. That way, you'll have a cable and a base to position the antenna above the noise for good connections. How were the worms? __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

01-14-2007, 05:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,654 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Dual rate is a/b, 11mbit/54mbit. Frequency band is standard for 802.11b/g equipment. WPA is good, that's encryption that actually works. :) Forget about moudulation, I have no idea why they specify it, and it's obviously standard for compatible products. I'd get the D-Link, it's a decent card. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

01-21-2007, 06:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
~~Girderman~~ Troubled Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,096 OS: XP Pro	Getting more serious I read some reviews of the DLink card, and some of them have spooked me a bit. There's a NetGear card I am thinking might be more reliable/easier to use for an extra $20.00. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833122134 And I have noticed that 54 Mbps and 108 Mbps are the two "standard". I am still unclear on if the data exchange rate is driven by the PCI Card or the Router. Will my internet run faster if I buy a 108 Mpbs PCI Card ? Also, I am going to take the advise to purchase an external antenna, primarily because there are 3 walls between the router and my computer, and the PCI card will mount with the PC in between it and the router. Does "quality" count for an external antenna ? Here's the one I want to buy: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16833147115 Thanks johnwill for your help. And anyone else that wants to help too !

01-13-2007, 03:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
~~Girderman~~ Troubled Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,096 OS: XP Pro	Okay I am gettting closer to buying a PCI wireless network adapter. First, how about this one : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833127145 Some questions: Data Rate "standard" seems to be 54 Mps. Does a faster card get faster data transmission, or is that router-dependant ? Frequency Band - Does "one size fit all", or is the frequency dependant on the router also ? Modulation - Do I need to worry about this ? WPA/WPA2 - Does this matter ? What does it mean ? Here's a list of wireless adapters, listed by popularity on NewEgg. Are all of these the same, or is there a real difference between them ? The prices range from $20.00 - $50.00. Does it matter which I get. I can afford the expensive one, but would like to know why I am spending the extra $30.00. Thanks in advance for the help, Girderman

01-22-2007, 10:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,654 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	108mbit is NOT a "standard", it's a kludge trying to increase the data rate, and only works within a single brand's equipment. Internet access will not run any faster with a 108mbit card, since you probably don't have that fast a pipe. As far as the reviews, both appear to have gotten a "4 egg review", seems like they're about the same. The antenna you are point to doesn't seem to specify the gain, which I find odd, unless it sucks. I think I'd stick to some that actually have complete specifications. Here's an assortment that I sometimes pick from: http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/...ID=32&FamID=58 I also have a 7db D-Link antenna I got on a rebate deal for $15 here. Here it is for $16, and it's worked well for me: http://dealnews.com/deals/D-Link-Omn...te/149949.html __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience