Hi all,

 

For some time I have been successfully networking home computers through an
SMC Barricade wireless router. My computer is connected directly to the
router but my daughter's accesses it wirelessly. The router supports 802.11b
and my daughter has a wireless card installed in her computer which is a
floor up relative to the router. Both computers are running XP pro. Recently
she is getting a lot of dropped connections and is increasingly frustrated
although I do not have any easy answer why signal strength and or
connectivity have deteriorated since nothing has changed in terms of
geography, architecture, components etc.

 

I am thinking that maybe it is time to get a new router if I can at the same
time increase signal strength etc.

 

So my questions are: is there inherently any difference in signal strength
or range if using a newer 801.11g router instead of the current 802.11b? I
think both protocols operate on the same frequency do they not? Is it a
question instead of the antenna strength? If so, are there substantial
differences in the "power" of one brand over another, or do I need to look
carefully at specs? What would be considered to be a good strength vs. an
average strength if I was able to discriminate? 

 

My second set of questions relate to the wireless adapter in her computer.
If I went 802.11g for the router, I would replace her adapter as well to
take advantage of the higher throughput. Is it important to get an adapter
of the same brand as the router? I have never worried about that before, but
maybe there is better compatibility if one sticks to the same product
family? If not, how much better, if at all, are PC card-based adapters (with
their own mini-antenna) vs. a USB adapter that plugs straight into a USB
port. The latter is of course much simpler to use, but I wonder if I will be
giving up signal strength again given the absence of any external antenna.
Or again is this a matter of brand and specs rather than one of inherent
design per se? What are some of the better USB adapters?

 

All recommendations and advice welcome.

 

Michael


              The NOSPIN Group is now offering Free PC Tech
                     support at our newest website:
                          http://freepctech.com