Improving wireless connection?

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dwallace · #1 Post by **dwallace** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 10:11 pm

Oh wise forum (he typed, clearly sucking up in search of knowledge),

My stock T40 Cisco wireless card randomly finds (or fails to find) all manner of signals. Often in places where others have connectivity my Windows scan shows no networks available.

Card is in 'ad hoc' mode so I see the warning that reception might not be best. I've already had the thing serviced because of conflicts between IBM and Windows connection management but that could provide another explanation.

Short of replacing the card what advice/settings (and I'd humbly ask for how-to steps) can increase the sensitivity or range?

Thanks
DW

EOMtp · #2 Post by **EOMtp** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:39 pm

IF you have the latest drivers for your wireless card, and IF the antenna leads are connected properly (assuming that you have an internal mini-PCI wireless card), then there is no magic -- and no way -- to increase sensitivity or range.

However, you can install a high-power card (either internal mini-PCI or external PCMCIA/PC Card) which has as much as 400mW output power, i.e, 13 times the "normal" output of 30mW. Sensitivity will also fall in line ... Here are two examples:
http://www.ubnt.com/supper_range.php4
http://shop.defactowireless.com/s.nl/sc ... ory.239/.f
Good luck!

cmarti · #3 Post by **cmarti** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 4:59 am

I would recommend you to upgrade your card with the Intel PRO 2200 b/g, i use it in both my T40 and my 600x and the reception is excelent.

sugo · #4 Post by **sugo** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 5:27 am

An atheros ar5004/5006xs upgrade should help a lot. It's about 30-60 dollars.

You can download hardware maintenance manual (HMM) from lenovo web site. It has detailed steps and pictures for replacing your wifi card.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-46464

Hotbrick · #5 Post by **Hotbrick** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 5:43 am

I upgraded from IntelPro 2100 to IntelPro 2915;
range increased a lot and it solved my problem of losing connection.

#6 Post by **GomJabbar** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 6:00 am

EOMtp wrote:IF you have the latest drivers for your wireless card, and IF the antenna leads are connected properly (assuming that you have an internal mini-PCI wireless card), then there is no magic -- and no way -- to increase sensitivity or range.

Not quite accurate. If you use Access Connections, when you set up a wireless profile, under the Wireless Settings tab > Advanced configuration: > Settings > there is a choice for Power save mode: with (3) settings available.

dwallace · #7 Post by **dwallace** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 10:15 am

Ganglia,

The T40 sweepstakes continue since I've been using a PCI card in the meanwhile. . . .

For extra credit, do I go for a free warranty fix for the Cisco card, or pay cash-money to upgrade the card to b/g. I'm inclined to get a warranty fix in case the problem is with the antenna, not the card, but how much would it cost for a new card?

Thanks
D

Improving wireless connection?

Improving wireless connection?

Warranty fix or upgrade?

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