Wireless antennas in X23

[The Spirit of X21]

Hi everyone,

I just installed an Intel 2200BG card in my X23 and used antennas from a T30 inserted into the LCD frame. This combination works, but I find that the signal strength is not nearly as good as the 2200BG card in my T40. Do I need to solder the antennas to the metal frame in the LCD to get better reception, or is the coverage issue a software problem I could solve by using Windows XP instead of my current install of Windows 2000?

Thanks, of course!

[rkawakami]

Usually the problem with bad/reduced wireless range with self-installed antennas inside the display is that the metal in the lid prevents the signal from getting in/out. The factory models with built-in wireless antennas have plastic 'windows' along the outer edges. The antennas are positioned behind them. Plastic is transparent to the WiFi radio frequencies being used. I don't think that soldering the antenna ground to the lid/LCD frame will do any good. Also, this should not be a software (i.e., driver) issue unless there is some way to adjust the output power of the 2200GB card (I don't know enough about them to say).

I have had a similar problems with installing antennas into the lids of a 600X and T23 (as documented in several of my threads).

[The Spirit of X21]

Thanks Ray, as usual you give a very informed response. Perhaps I could cut the metal frame to create "windows" in the LCD?

[rkawakami]

Not sure about where those metal frames you are talking about are, but if you mean cutting a hole in the lid, then that might help with the reception but it wouldn't look too good.

If it is at all possible, place the antenna(s) between the lid/LCD and the LCD bezel (as it's plastic). Barring that, there may be room near the bottom of the display case near the hinges. I've never had or taken apart an X2x system before so I can't give you any specific location. If no room is available in the lid that is away from the metal edges of the lid and only covered by plastic, then the next area to consider is the laptop base. Under the palm rest (as I hope that's plastic) or near the outer edge of the laptop is preferred.

With my last attempt at installing an antenna inside a non-WiFi lid, I yanked out the Ultraport connector and placed the antenna underneath the rubber strip that covers that spot. Reception was a little bit better but nowhere near the performance of the factory locations.

[The Spirit of X21]

It's odd. When my X23 initially connects to my Linksys router using WPA, it reads "54Mbps". After maybe 10 minutes or so the signal drops to 24Mbps or less. I've tried ditching Access Connections to see if the performance could improve but I can only connect with WPA using Access Connections - the built-in drivers only offer 64/128 bit encryption when I try to configure them through the Win2K Control Panel. Why is it that I can connect with WPA using the 2200BG in my T40 running Windows XP without using Access Connections?