[mbrianwooten]

I was given an old Gateway laptop with an Orinoco Wireless Lan Card built in. I have updated the driver so that I can use WPA. I have a Belkin Wireless G router which serves two other computers at very good speed, however, the Gateway is geting less than dial up (17k) Can someone tell me how to tweak this or a setting to make it work better?
All advice is welcome. Thanks

[TerryNet]

Is your updated driver the latest from Gateway's web site?

If you can connect via ethernet how does that speed compare?

[LaptopNomad]

Install NetStumbler and check the strength of the wireless signal by walking around a bit. It has a sound option which converts signal strength into a piano tone. Try again at a spot with the highest S/N ratio.

What mode is the card connection at? B/G?

[JohnWill]

You might also consider boosting the signal on the router.


Hawking Tech has a number of products that will help you increase your wireless range. The root page is Hawking Hi-Gain™ WiFi Range Extending Products.

Some of the more interesting products are this Hawking [HSB2] Hi-Gain WiFi Signal Booster, which can be used on either end of a wireless connection to boost the signal power.

Another way to increase your signal strength is by the use of hi-gain antennas. You can choose from omni-directional or directional models, here are a some examples.

Hawking [HAI7SIP] Hi-Gain 7dBi Omni-Directional Antenna

Hawking [HAI15SC] Hi-Gain 15dBi Corner Antenna

[HAO14SD] Outdoor Hi-Gain 14dBi Directional Antenna Kit


This is just a sample of available products, many people have hi-gain antennas with similar specifications, but I haven't seen any other suppliers of signal boosters.