Laptops

I've seen more than 1 case where the USB Device works perfectly when not plugged into a USB Port but is stuck on the end of an extension lead mounted up higher than the case. At the same time the PCI Cards with the antennae sticking out the back produce a poor signal quality as well and it is the case blocking the signal to the WiFi Access Point.

In every case where this has happened the Access Point was some distance from the affected computer and the signal was showing good but failing because the case was absorbing a lot of the signal or reflecting it in a different direction or maybe a combination of both, I'm not sure as I never actually took any measurements I just added an extension lead for the USB Box and it worked. I've done the same thing with the aerials on the PCI Cards as well and turned something from so so to excellent. Of course the correct solution is to correctly place the WiFi Access point but unfortunately this isn't always possible or desirable particularly in the work environment where it is just stuck where it fits and expected to work.

Home systems particularly in Flats are a nightmare to deal with as there can be so many different Signals available that it's very hard to find the right one to grab and in a situation like that with open WiFi any of the available signals can get grabbed as the conditions change breaking a file transfer.

I've used a lot of Consumer Class WiFi PCI Cards and honestly I haven't noticed a major difference between them. They are all much of a muchness as far as I'm concerned but I do agree that the PCI Type is superior to USB as they are faster or at least tend to be on the same hardware with the same transfers being used.

Col

Hal9000 gave an excellent answer that I totally agree with. I thought I just might humbly add a few more ideas to the mix.

First: I have personally had very little success with any Belkin wireless equipment. That probably clouds my judgment, but due to circumstances similar to yours I refuse to use their Wi-Fi gear.

Second: Hal9000's point about where the extending the USB device into a more suitable location via an USB extension cable is a very good first try and the link below takes it a bit further. I've tried some of the various DIY antennas, which markedly improved the link.

http://www.usbwifi.orconhosting.net.nz/

It takes little physical distance to move in and out of null spots or areas of multipath fading, and null spots greatly decrease signal quality. An example would be that of having poor cell phone reception and only having to move a foot or so to get a better signal. That maybe the case here and the USB device extension may move the antenna out of a null spot.

Trying a different channel or checking to see if there are other Wi-Fi networks in the vicinity and what channels they are using maybe a good idea as well. Not only for this problem, but to possible eliminate any co-channel or near channel interference.

Third: I again agree that using a PCI card Wi-Fi adapter is usually more stable.

Dan, the suggestions already posted carry the weight of solid experience. That said, I'd like to offer my two bits for what it's worth.

1) I have used both USB and PC card wireless adapters. My experience is the opposite of the last two posters - USB adapters work better.

2) Netgear makes the worst wireless equipment on the planet. My Netgear cable modem actually burned up within a few months of purchase, and their technical support was worse than worthless.

3) Linksys configurations are stable and their hardware is inexpensive. The previous postings suggest little difference in performance, but I have found otherwise. My Linksys router/adapter have performed perfectly for two years without incident.

4) Consider disabling encryption. The security folks will jump all over me for this recommendation, but I have found encryption to slow connections and to be associated with dropped connections. Transfer rates are significantly slower with encryption enabled. WPA is more troublesome than WEP, and as you know, WEP is less secure than WPA.

5) I have no intruders in my wireless network with encryption disabled. I can monitor this with the Linksys configuration menu:

Status > Local Network > DHCP Client Table

I have never seen an unauthorized MAC address on my network, and my SSID is always broadcast.

6) If you are willing to take the risk of disabling encryption, you can filter the MAC addresses authorized on the network. Normally these will be the MAC addresses of the wireless adapters, or the desktop computer's native MAC address if it's connected by Ethernet cable to the router.

7) A vertical booster antenna on the router can expand horizontal range by ~50%.

Look for 2.4GHz interference, particularly from cordless telephone base stations.

9) Consider bandwidth issues if there are other channels with >30% signal strength. There should be 5 channels between your router and the competing signal.

10) Look for RF interference (fans, motors, hard drives, etc.)

11) Look for shielding issues (metal cabinets, etc).

12) The following hardware has worked seamlessly for me:

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1115416825655&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=2565536001B17

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1154470123093&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=2309339789B07

That about exhausts my knowledge of wireless connection glitches. I hope it may be useful for you. Good luck.

Rick/Portland, OR

I should have added the following.

Because the USB is a NetGear, there is a GUI that tells me what my reception strength is. It always records as excellent. Don't think I have ever seen it other then that to be truthful.

Also, this USB adapter is connected via a USB hub. That, I also should have added.

Both machines are situated in the same room as the router.

The laptop sits higher due to it is sitting on a desk, where as the desktop USB adapter is under my desk. In that I have a peaces and parts box, I already have extension cables where I can move the USB adapter up as high as what my laptop sits. I'm an idiot, I should have thought of this first.

The reason I thought it was the USB adapter(NetGear) is due to a conversation at work, and I didn't explore other thought process's afterwords.

Thank you for the help. Again, I will move the USB higher to see if that improves reception.

hmmmm, for some reason I still think its NetGear... But proving it one way or another won't cost me anything.

With regard to the dropping of encryption... I'm not sure that is an issue here... The laptop connection is encrypted and it doesn't seem to matter one way or another. That, and I'm so bloody paranoid that there is no way I will drop my encryption.

Thank you for all the help and ideas. Very much appreciated.

Dan

[edited] Forgot about the USB hub

There is a valid issue about losing some processing speed due to encryption but that is insignificant in comparison to not being protected.

I would caution you on the fact that not seeing anyone on your network is not the only problem. The fact that someone can capture all of your traffic promiscuously is of much more importance. You may say that you are not sending anything of significance, but it only takes one time.

Michael Kassner is advising what a security expert should advise: Don't take any chances.

I climb a 20' ladder to clean leaves out of my gutters. It's possible I could slip and fall. If I were to follow Mike's advice, I would never climb that ladder.

One weighs the risk against the odds. If you make regular backups (hopefully with an imaging application such as Norton Ghost), and you insist upon secured connections before disclosing identity information, I suspect your risks are low if you disable encryption.

So long as I feel physically competent to climb that ladder, I'll continue to service my own gutters. Should the time come when I have misgivings about my ability to do this safely, hopefully I'll have the prudence to delegate this chore...

Rick/Portland, OR

Mike -

I have read your posts, and they are excellent. When I first came across them, I pasted them into a Word document, converted to .pdf with Acrobat and archived in my Security folder.

It strikes me as an unnecessary gamble to disclose credit or personal information over a public wireless network. We totally agree about this.

Many folks use their notebooks for domestic convenience, aware that there is always the potential for espionage. Diplomats in foreign embassies must assume bugs in the walls, but they can usually relax their conditioned reserve within their own homes.

DanLM posted a problem with wireless connection. If disabling encryption helps resolve that problem, and he has no compelling need for it, that remains a viable option so long as he's aware of the potential for eavesdropping.

DanLM would be well advised to conduct commercial transactions and banking via hardwired connection. That said, if DanLM's own Wi-Fi network is reasonably isolated within a friendly environment, and DanLM is confident there are no intruders, unencrypted wireless connectivity confers faster data transfer rates, quicker connections, and fewer dropped connections.

If I had a business in a neighborhood where there were frequent burglaries, I would secure my establishment with window bars. But I don't like window bars - most folks don't. As the poet once said, Something there is that doesn't like a wall...

If DanLM's business is in a quiet neighborhood where the county sheriff rarely patrols, window bars would be pretty silly. I guess what I really mean is that the security measures employed should be realistically commensurate with the need.

Rick/Portland, OR