... with some niggles.

I have got a Netgear DG834GT Integrated ADSL Modem/Firewall/Router thingie; it came bundled with a USB2 wireless adapter (the modem and adapter are both 108Mbps).  Now installed and configured for WEP no problems all up and running ... this was with the PC being about 1 meter away from the router.  Now I have moved the PC to the bedroom in our flat which I would say is about 10m at most, now instead of the High Signal I had before I get a low signal.  It all seems to work but not sure if I am getting the max out of this connection.  I would not mind but it picks up my neighbours BB with a medium setting and her flat is across the hall ... albeit no security ... honestly; who are these people!

So, how can you tell the difference in speed you will lose based on the connection going from high-med-low.  My connection says connected at 108mbps but obviously thats just because of the hardware.

I heard that the USB2 Wireless adapters are not that great, although I am guessing that would be more linked to repeated connectivity rather than speed?

Any ideas?  Cheers all!

Pritty much as you said, scrap the USB2 connector. Get a PCI based one with a aerial and actually works. Im unsure on what kind tho, the only thing that are wireless in this house are the laptops everything else is all wired in nicelly

Add a USB lead so your wi-fi dongle is closer to the wall?

TBH I have the same problem with a cheap USB device, except it still maxes out my 2Mbit line so with nothing else to use it on its not worth the cost or bother changing it. The aerials on these are usually poor quality and some are very directional so thats probably your problem.

Simplest way is to check your connection speed while moving it away from the router

WG111 by any chance?

You usually need to stick the USB adaptor on the supplied cable and put it somewhere decent.  They arent a bad little Wireless key, but making them so small has meant the Signal sucks if you arent fairly close.  This compares to the Linksys Equivelent being absolutley brilliant, even in a tin shed.  

The adapter cable is only about 80cm so I can hardly believe it is going to make much difference? Although before I eat my words I will check that later tonight.  I do have a media center pc in the lounge which needs an internet connection, so I may buy a PCI card and put the USB dongle on the media center.

sounds like you went behind either a bloody thick wall, or it has a shedload of electrical cabling in it, and a TV on the side of it/in its path.

One of my workies has suggested changing the channel it is set on ... when I set it up I did notice about 4 wireless connections that are within range; so could be that changing the channel by a few numbers may make a difference?  Anyone confirm?

Your workmate is right that it might help, really you want a channel clearance on either side. The channels can interfere with each other.

OTOH I have the problem even though Im the only one in the area. Mind my distance is slightly larger and passes through a wall and floor.

I put my dongle on a similar length cable, it helps prevents the computer case shielding it from the signal. With the dongle attached directly to the USB socket I was having problems connecting, with the cable it gets a connection virtually every time.

The one time I was forced to use wireless I started using a usb dongle, this gave a very poor signal. I then tried plugging it into a usb cable which then connected to the computer, this gave a better signal. I then bought a pci wireless card which gave the best signal by far.

Still, nothing beats an ugly grey cable stretched half way across your flat.  :mrgreen:

Quote from: White GiantStill, nothing beats an ugly grey cable stretched half way across your flat.  :mrgreen:

This is true, and stops wi-fi hackers dead

Well I changed the channel from 11 to 3; made no difference at all.  I then plugged in the extender USB cable and moved it around; again no difference.  I have to say this is crap!  Its not like there is not a clear path between the router and usb adapter.  Well anyways, I am going to buy a PCI card for the Shuttle and use the usb adapter on the media center in the lounge.  

Cheers all

oh aye, if you can, use WPA instead of WEP.

there are plenty of tools about to crack wep so dont let it give you  a false sense of security.


i know .11b channels usually over lap the neighbouring channels as well so if you need to be at least 3 channels of seperation usuaully (11 - 3 = 8 - 3 = 5 - 3 = 2) etc for least interference.

ive not had much time with .11g though but itll be what your using.

when you discover the wireless access points, it should tell you what channel theyre on.