Performance Problem with Wi-Fi Home Network

Have two desktops networked wirelessly, both with Intel Anypoint II USB adapters. Using in "ad hoc" or "peer to peer" mode (no access point or gateway). Problem is that when both computers are in use at the same time there is often a noticeable drag (including temporary freezing) on both systems, usually when one is accessing the internet and the other has some sort of relatively tame (i.e. not resource intensive) computer game. There seems to be less of a problem when both computers are accessing the internet and no problem at all when only one computer is being used. Both systems are reasonably powerful (Celeron 466 w/256mb running Windows 98 first edition and Celeron 900 with 192mb running Windows ME). Using the internet sharing software from Intel bundled with the product. I should also mention that the "slower" machine is actually serving as the server for the internet sharing. Should I switch them and see if that helps? Intel says it shouldn't make a difference. Or is this what I get when I don't use a gateway? I am about to add a notebook to the setup so I would like to fix this problem if I can. All help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

dsurfer
I do not have a wireless network at this time however maybe I can assist you with some thoughts or concerns.
1) Using the slower machine as the gateway to the internet will restrict access speed to the processor of the slower unit.
2) If the gateway unit is processing at the time of transmission or receipt to the other unit the transfer will be delayed.
3) The Gateway unit must be turned on to provide transfer of info for the second unit.

Couple of Items you could try to speed things up a bit.
1) As you suggested make the faster unit the server so to speak.
2) Limit the processing activity such as gaming on the larger unit while the slower unit is accessing the Internet.

Ultimately you should have some form of a Router, or Gateway, to elimimate chaining the two together.

Others may have thoughts also but that is my two cents.
Dave