Wifi Question

[_=DeltaForce=_]

Hello, I have a Netgear WGT624 108mbps router and the Netgear 108mbps PCI card which is on the 1st floor. I was a little disappointed because I could not get any signal to the connection on the 1st floor, The PC is under the desk and so is the antenna. Should I get Range Extender or a better Antenna added to the Router or the PCI card?? Can you please recommend a good antenna or a range extender? Thanks for helping

[Bires]

I'm curious to hear what ppl think of Netgear. I always thought they were good until I used one of their routers...it sucked. My SMC is MUCH more stable.

[PitViper]

I'm curious to hear what ppl think of Netgear. I always thought they were good until I used one of their routers...it sucked. My SMC is MUCH more stable.
WGT624 (v.2) 108 Mbps Router, WG311T 108 Mbps PCI Card, WG511T 108 Mbps PC Card

My first experiences were superb. I still think the router is great. However, lately a problem has arisen with a PCI card.

The good: Initially I was running the three components listed above. Great range and signal strength. Easy installation and no problems whatsoever. The laptop still works great.

The bad: I built a new system from scratch installing it in the old system’s case, purchasing a second WG311T for the new system. The new system continues to run flawlessly. I rebuilt the old system as the “kids’ computer” with only a few differing components than it originally had (different case/PSU, HD, & CD-RW). Again I got great range and signal strength. However, shortly after getting the old system back on-line, I would sometimes get the dreaded BSOD while surfing the net (never at any other time). The only other notable difference is that before I was the only account using Windows XP Pro on the old system. Now the kids’ computer has multiple accounts set-up and several people may be logged on at the same time. The BSOD will sometimes occur if even if only one person is logged-on. I’ve checked a lot of the forums and this problem is not unique. Some tend to think it’s a conflict with older VIA chipsets. Others think it’s a Windows XP problem with multiple accounts.

I obtained a better case for the kids’ computer and plan to rebuild it again in the newer case. I’m not sure that when I rebuilt it initially that the WG311T was in the same PCI slot, so I may move it around when I get some time to tweak the older system.

Any thoughts on this experience and/or having similar experiences would be appreciated.

[PitViper]

Hello, I have a Netgear WGT624 108mbps router and the Netgear 108mbps PCI card which is on the 1st floor. I was a little disappointed because I could not get any signal to the connection on the 1st floor, The PC is under the desk and so is the antenna. Should I get Range Extender or a better Antenna added to the Router or the PCI card?? Can you please recommend a good antenna or a range extender? Thanks for helping
This is probably a stupid question, but are you running the latest drivers for your cards (if you have the WG311T or WG511T) and lastest firmware for the WGT624? The newest card drivers have added XR (extended Range) and AR (Adaptive Radio) features. These features will be triggered when the XR or AR is enabled on the corresponding AR/XR capable routers. AR/XR supported routers: WGU624 & WGT624 (as 11/08/04).

I'm getting good signal strength and speed even though my computer is located on a different floor and in a far corner of the house.

[_=DeltaForce=_]

I will try updating the drivers today...

[DarkFury]

Question #1 - Do you have WEP enabled?

Question #2 - Are you near any cordless phones or microwave ovens? (These can disrupt the signal)

Question #3 - Are both the router and the PCI receiver on the same floor? Usually the PCI antenna is pretty good (I get good signal strength on mine.. and my PCI card is on the 1st floor while the router is on the 2nd.)

BTW... the way that this router is built, you can't swap out the antenna for a better one. That is probably the only problem I've had with the Netgear product.

[_=DeltaForce=_]

It's WEP enabled, It away from Microwave ove but close to a Panasonic 5.8ghz phone. The router is on the 1st floor and the PCI card is on the second floor. So the only way to boost signals is to get a ranger extender?

[PitViper]

It's WEP enabled, It away from Microwave ove but close to a Panasonic 5.8ghz phone. The router is on the 1st floor and the PCI card is on the second floor. So the only way to boost signals is to get a ranger extender?

XR (Extended Range) is part of the software/firmware/hardware configuration. It is built-in and enabled with the latest downloads. Nothing to purchase.

Common Questions About XR, the New Extended Range Feature (http://kbserver.netgear.com/inquira/default.asp?ui_mode=answer&prior_transaction_id=30022&action_code=5&highlight_info=16778149,10,19&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fkbserver.netgear.com%2Fkb_web_files%2Fn101415.asp&answer_id=1221583#__highlight)

[_=DeltaForce=_]

XR (Extended Range) is part of the software/firmware/hardware configuration. It is built-in and enabled with the latest downloads. Nothing to purchase.

No like a hardware Wireless Range extender.

I updated to the new drivers and I am using XR. Good News! I am getting 38% signal according to Netgear Wireless Assistant which is better than nothing. But in Windows Network Connection " Signal Strength" its only giving me 1 bar and says signal strength Very Low. Now I need to find a way to boost these signals..

[DarkFury]

No like a hardware Wireless Range extender.

I updated to the new drivers and I am using XR. Good News! I am getting 38% signal according to Netgear Wireless Assistant which is better than nothing. But in Windows Network Connection " Signal Strength" its only giving me 1 bar and says signal strength Very Low. Now I need to find a way to boost these signals..
Since the WGT624's antenna is not removable... I don't think that you'll be able to fit a range extender antenna onto it.

You must have some serious interference in your household... on the same floor I usually can get better than 60% strength... and even on the ground floor I get about 35 - 40% strength (which is still good enough for web surfing)

[ribitch]

as a CWNA :D i thought i would give my take...

Makesure the router is set to the highest output power setting. Also try to make sure the antenna is positioned teh same at both ends. Anntenna polarization can cut down on received signal. If teh router Antenna is pointing up, then make the desktop's point up.

the 5.8 GHz phone wont interfere with a 2.4GHz network. A microwave "can", if its leaky, but most new microwaves have very little leakage. If you do have a leaking microwave, i would replace it.

If you do get an antenna, make sure you get one with teh right connector. Also make sure the connection is tight. A loose connection will cause problems, and potentially fry whatever is connected on teh other end.

What is seperating the PC and the router? Any metal walls, firedoors, wiremesh, filing cabinets, etc? Is the desk a metal (steelcase type) desk? Eliminate any objects (if possible) that can absord or scatter the signal. Wireless radiation can be reflected, absorbed, and refracted off many different types of material. The reflected waves can potentially be shifted out of phase to the point that they cancel each other out. Hopefully your AP has 2 antennas on it. Antenna diversity will allow the router to pick which of teh 2 received signals has the best SNR. Some netgear routers only have one antenna.

oh, and if you get an external antenna, try to get one with a gain of atleast 6dB. every 3dB will double the output power of the AP. if you get a 10dB gain antenna, it will increase the output power by 10 times.

Double output power does not always mean double the distance.