Can an "N" wi fi receiver detect a "G" signal?

SpikedMcGrath · 10-26-2009, 10:26 AM

AS the title says, can an "N" class wi fi usb receiver detect a "g" class network? and if so, would the signal be much stronger?

Basically Im living in uni halls of residence atm and they recently "upgraded" the network to wi if. Ive tried using a "G" wireless receiver (both usb and a pci card) and neither were able to detect more than a tiny signal most of the time. As I am unable to move or change the router or settings im pretty much extremley limited with what I can do. They don't care enough to move the router so everyone can get a signal, so my only chance to get receive the internet im bloody paying for is to try and detect the strongest signal possible.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

dai · 10-26-2009, 11:54 AM

the belkin n usb i have goes through a g router but it rquired a driver to be loaded for it

aurelius2000 · 10-26-2009, 11:56 AM

Wireless N is a step up from wireless G. I have never had a problem with my card. I have a Wireless B/G/N card. Most are the same way.

**johnwill** · 10-26-2009, 02:42 PM

Any 802.11n router that meets the IEEE specification will allow connections of 802.11g devices if configured to do so. If nobody with 802.11g can connect, it may be disabled in the wireless configuration.

If you have signal strength issues, that's a totally different matter.

If you have a wireless adapter that doesn't have provisions for an external antenna, one adapter that I've had good luck with is a Rosewill RNX-G1 USB Wireless Adapter. It's feature is that is has a removable antenna and will accommodate replacement antennas. I have it paired with this Hawking [HAI15SC] Hi-Gain 15dBi Corner Antenna and it sucks in signals that don't even show up on my laptop with it's internal wireless and antennas.

10-26-2009, 10:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
SpikedMcGrath Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 13 OS: Vista Home Premium	Can an "N" wi fi receiver detect a "G" signal? AS the title says, can an "N" class wi fi usb receiver detect a "g" class network? and if so, would the signal be much stronger? Basically Im living in uni halls of residence atm and they recently "upgraded" the network to wi if. Ive tried using a "G" wireless receiver (both usb and a pci card) and neither were able to detect more than a tiny signal most of the time. As I am unable to move or change the router or settings im pretty much extremley limited with what I can do. They don't care enough to move the router so everyone can get a signal, so my only chance to get receive the internet im bloody paying for is to try and detect the strongest signal possible. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

10-26-2009, 11:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,515 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Can an "N" wi fi receiver detect a "G" signal? the belkin n usb i have goes through a g router but it rquired a driver to be loaded for it __________________

10-26-2009, 11:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
aurelius2000 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 145 OS: Windows XP SP3/Windows Vista SP2	Re: Can an "N" wi fi receiver detect a "G" signal? Wireless N is a step up from wireless G. I have never had a problem with my card. I have a Wireless B/G/N card. Most are the same way.

10-26-2009, 02:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,580 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Can an "N" wi fi receiver detect a "G" signal? Any 802.11n router that meets the IEEE specification will allow connections of 802.11g devices if configured to do so. If nobody with 802.11g can connect, it may be disabled in the wireless configuration. If you have signal strength issues, that's a totally different matter. If you have a wireless adapter that doesn't have provisions for an external antenna, one adapter that I've had good luck with is a Rosewill RNX-G1 USB Wireless Adapter. It's feature is that is has a removable antenna and will accommodate replacement antennas. I have it paired with this Hawking [HAI15SC] Hi-Gain 15dBi Corner Antenna and it sucks in signals that don't even show up on my laptop with it's internal wireless and antennas. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience