Troubleshooting

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Limiting the wireless transmit rate - Limiting the wireless transmit rate can help improve the maximum wireless range, and connection stability. Most wireless cards have the ability to limit the transmission rate. To change this property, click Start, Control Panel, Network Connections, then double-click your card's connection. In the Properties dialog, select the Configure button on the General tab (Windows 98 users will have to select the Wireless Card in the list box and then click Properties), then choose the Advanced tab and select the rate property. Wireless client cards are usually set to automatically adjust the wireless transmit rate for you, but doing so can cause periodic disconnects when the wireless signal is too weak; as a rule, slower transmission rates are more stable. Experiment with different connection rates until you find the best one for your environment; note that all available transmission rates should be acceptable for browsing the Internet. For more assistance, see your wireless card's literature.

Why are there two wireless utilities in my system tray? Which one should I use?

There are several features and advantages to using the WNU over the Windows XP Wireless Zero Configuration utility. We offer a site survey, detailed link information, and adapter diagnosis, to name a few.

It’s essential to know which utility is managing your adapter. We recommend using the WNU.

To use the WNU:

1Right-click on the network status icon in the system tray and select View Available Wireless Networks.

2Click Advanced in the lower left corner of the Available Wireless Networks window.

3From the Advanced tab, uncheck Use Windows to configure my wireless network. After the box is unchecked, click OK to close the window.

You are now using the WNU to configure the network adapter.

What's the difference between 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a, and 802.11n?

Currently there are four levels of wireless networking standards, which transmit data at very different maximum speeds. Each is based on the designation for certifying network standards. The most common wireless networking standard, 802.11b, transmits information at 11 Mbps; 802.11a and 802.11g work at 54 Mbps; and Pre-N works at 108 Mbps. The 802.11n release promises speeds that exceed 802.11g, and up to twice the wireless coverage area. See the following chart for more detailed information.

Wireless

802.11b

802.11g

802.11a

802.11n

Technology

 

 

 

 

Speed

11Mbps

54Mbps

54Mbps

600% faster than

 

 

 

standard 802.11g*