[DragonFire0729]

Hey all, hoping you can give me some new ideas in this problem Ive been having.

I recently purchased and set up a Wireless-N router from Linksys, and am using the WMP300N PCI card and antenna in my desktop, which is a good distance away from the router (though I get a fairly good signal). The wireless-N range of the signal has been excellent, and Im very pleased with it.

However, the speed on my desktop is less than pleasing. The computer wired to the router gets almost 5MBPS, yet my desktop with a wireless-N card gets only between 400-700 KBPS. I assumed this was a range problem until recently.

I just bought a new laptop, a VAIO that has a Wireless-N (intel) card in it, which sitting on the desk next to my desktop (another 3 feet in distance from the router ), yet gets a slightly stronger signal and gets the full 5MBPS through the WiFi N.

Now, I can accept that some cards are stronger....but a card that is BUILT IN to the laptop, compared to a card that has a massive antenna....am I wrong in thinking they should at least be close to equal? It's kind of discouraging to me, since I'd like the good connection speed on my desktop, but I can't stand running the massive LAN cable when the network obviously works, and its a problem with the PCI card im using.

I've upgraded the drivers to the newest I could find (let Vista find them on its own, and it upgraded them to Linksys WMP300N driver 4.102.15.61 updated 12/19/2006 (I know...seems really old?). I couldn't find any new firmware for it. I've googled the problem for a while, and I've looked through all the options in the Device Manager for the card. Vista is managing the connections on both computers.

I'm running Vista Ultimate 64-bit version. The laptop is running Vista Home Premium 32-bit.

Thanks for any help

[Dan.M]

If l'm reading this correctly. the Linksys network adapter is in a system running 64-bit Vista Ultimate.

Linksys does not appear to have 64-bit drivers for this specific product.

That could be why you are not getting good performance on the WMP300N

http://www.linksys.c...FVisitorWrapper

use that site to keep track of when 64-bit vista driver becomes available

[DragonFire0729]

Yeah....thats what they keep telling me. Im hoping thats the case, because then there will be a fix eventually.

Though I know I had read a review somewhere that some 64bit users had it working.

Well, hopefully thats just the problem. A driver would fix it at some point then.

Thanks

[Luke]

Not sure how to do this on windows anymore, but you might be able to plug your laptop into your desktop and share the connection using your laptops card (as a temporary measure).

I know I can do this on my MacBook easily, just don't quite remember how in Windows.... Especially since Vista has things in different places...

[DragonFire0729]

Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing. In Vista its called 'Bridging Connections' and its done in the Network and Sharing center. I tried it the other night to no avail, but I may give it another go.

[Luke]

Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing. In Vista its called 'Bridging Connections' and its done in the Network and Sharing center. I tried it the other night to no avail, but I may give it another go.

I think I may know what the problem is.... You need a cross-over cable between your laptop and desktop, or you need a hub between the two. A cross over cable is wired slightly different with two wires reversed. This is something the hub does for you automatically. I think my Mac Book auto-detects which cable you're using and takes the necessary actions.... But with a PC laptop/desktop it may not do that .

I remember "Bridging Connections" in XP, but I had a hard time getting it working. Rather confusing... All I have to do on my Mac is turn on Intenet sharing under the "Sharing" panel ...

[DragonFire0729]

I think I could disable the wifi card in my desktop, then cross the two with an Ethernet cable (that creates a mini-network...ive been able to share files across like that) and have the laptop share its internet signal.

I guess that thats the course ill go with until linksys gets on its game.

Thanks

[idav]

The most likely cause of the poor performance is caused by the fact that there is no such thing as 802.11n yet (last time I checked). People, please stop buying these products! We are sending the manufacturers a VERY bad message. That message reads:

Dear Manufacturer,

Please let me spend my hard earned money on your products and do all of your testing for you. Then once I'm done paying for your R&D department please allow me to purchase the end result, a product with just as many bugs but with snazzier colors and all kinds of logos that use neat words like Turbo! and Extreme! and Blazing!.

Sincerely,

Poor Shmuck


PS: I just can't get my bank account to negative numbers....is there anything else I can buy from you?

This reminds me of the the classicaly debatable phrase, "Chivalry is dead." Chivalry is dead, women killed it! Well quality products and customer service is dead, it's dead because we killed it.

[Luke]

Actually what I find quite ironic is how every Linksys and Netgear product I've bought dies after 1-2 years, forcing me to buy what ever they have available. I finally got sick of it and bought Apple's Air Port Extreme Base Station. I haven't had it long, but I haven't had any problems. Hopefully it lasts me a good long time...

It's funny because I still have this Netgear router (not wireless) that has metal housing and it still works after many years. Ever since they went with plastic everything when to crap.