Belin cards and ad hoc network

I'm trying to get an ad hoc (router-less) wireless network off-the-ground
(at home) and I bought two 54Mb Belkin wireless cards - one for my desktop
(with ADSL access to the Net) and one for my wife's laptop. I want to share
Net access, printing and limited file sharing (not games).

It worked (with a little fiddling) out-of-the-box but I could only get
access speeds of 1Mb (according to my network icon in the system tray).

So I downloaded the latest Belkin drivers (dated May 2003 - the supplied CD
drivers were dated Nov. 2002). The driver update caused major problems (XP
was OK but I lost network connectivity for a few hours). After a *lot* of
fiddling, I got the computers talking again -- but only after the speed fell
to 1Mb again.

So, it seems that the computers only talk to each other when the cards are
running at 1Mbit.

Does anyone have any idea why this happens? Should I abandon the ad hoc
network and get a wireless modem (or wireless router - what's the
difference?).

Cheers and HNY.

Bobby

"Bobby" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:bt23uh$2i53o$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I'm trying to get an ad hoc (router-less) wireless network off-the-ground
> (at home) and I bought two 54Mb Belkin wireless cards - one for my desktop
> (with ADSL access to the Net) and one for my wife's laptop. I want to
share
> Net access, printing and limited file sharing (not games).
>
> It worked (with a little fiddling) out-of-the-box but I could only get
> access speeds of 1Mb (according to my network icon in the system tray).
>
> So I downloaded the latest Belkin drivers (dated May 2003 - the supplied
CD
> drivers were dated Nov. 2002). The driver update caused major problems (XP
> was OK but I lost network connectivity for a few hours). After a *lot* of
> fiddling, I got the computers talking again -- but only after the speed
fell
> to 1Mb again.
>
> So, it seems that the computers only talk to each other when the cards are
> running at 1Mbit.
>
> Does anyone have any idea why this happens?

I had the same problem with 2 Belkin 54G PCI cards a few months ago:/

My solution was as follows.

1. Download the US version of the drivers on both machines
2. Uninstall the EU version of the drivers
3. Install the US drivers - choosing "Worldwide" under the country settings
in the Belkin utility
4. Change the device manager settings to "54g-Performance" under IBSS 54g
mode for each card
5. Install Internet Connection Sharing... etc

This has worked for me - I am now able to connect via my 2nd PC at 48/54Mbs
and connect to the internet...

If it works for you, could you let both me now and also complain to Belkin
((E-Mail Removed)) - asking them to fix/update the European drivers

You will note that the European drivers are "behind" the US ones bith in
version number and about 3 months older based on release date.

The functionallty of the US and EU drivers are identical - the only
difference is that the EU ones allow you to choose 1 of 13 channels while
the US ones only allow one of eleven.

If the above doesn't work I'd also like to know

> Should I abandon the ad hoc
> network and get a wireless modem (or wireless router - what's the
> difference?).

If you only need "ad hoc" access - i.e. you are happy having the desktop on,
when the laptop needs to use the internet you don't need a router.

I currently have an "ad hoc" solution in place but plan to upgrade at some
stage as it will be more convienant for our usage patterns.

As for the difference between wireless modem and wireless router - simply if
you have an ethernet ADSL modem already, you can use a wireless
router/access point.

If you currently have a USB modem you will need an wireless router with a
built in ADSL modem (you can then retire your USB modem) - examples of these
combined wireless routers with ADSL modem include:

Netgear DG834G
Belkin model: F5D7630
Linksys WAG54G (due to be released this month)
US Robotics USR9106
Draytek Vigor 2600G

All the above are 54G/802.11g solutions (Amazon and Ebuyer seem to be
competitive) so you can maximise performance with the Belkin cards you have
already brought.

Regards
Sunil

in the properties of each belkin card make sure they are both
1) using the same channel
2) both set to use 54g - auto




"Bobby" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:bt23uh$2i53o$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I'm trying to get an ad hoc (router-less) wireless network off-the-ground
> (at home) and I bought two 54Mb Belkin wireless cards - one for my desktop
> (with ADSL access to the Net) and one for my wife's laptop. I want to share
> Net access, printing and limited file sharing (not games).
>
> It worked (with a little fiddling) out-of-the-box but I could only get
> access speeds of 1Mb (according to my network icon in the system tray).
>
> So I downloaded the latest Belkin drivers (dated May 2003 - the supplied CD
> drivers were dated Nov. 2002). The driver update caused major problems (XP
> was OK but I lost network connectivity for a few hours). After a *lot* of
> fiddling, I got the computers talking again -- but only after the speed fell
> to 1Mb again.
>
> So, it seems that the computers only talk to each other when the cards are
> running at 1Mbit.
>
> Does anyone have any idea why this happens? Should I abandon the ad hoc
> network and get a wireless modem (or wireless router - what's the
> difference?).
>
> Cheers and HNY.
>
> Bobby
>
>

if your using XP you'll need the WPA update from MS for these cards.


"Sunil Sood" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:bt2m2i$2qnt4$(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Bobby" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:bt23uh$2i53o$(E-Mail Removed)...
> > I'm trying to get an ad hoc (router-less) wireless network off-the-ground
> > (at home) and I bought two 54Mb Belkin wireless cards - one for my desktop
> > (with ADSL access to the Net) and one for my wife's laptop. I want to
> share
> > Net access, printing and limited file sharing (not games).
> >
> > It worked (with a little fiddling) out-of-the-box but I could only get
> > access speeds of 1Mb (according to my network icon in the system tray).
> >
> > So I downloaded the latest Belkin drivers (dated May 2003 - the supplied
> CD
> > drivers were dated Nov. 2002). The driver update caused major problems (XP
> > was OK but I lost network connectivity for a few hours). After a *lot* of
> > fiddling, I got the computers talking again -- but only after the speed
> fell
> > to 1Mb again.
> >
> > So, it seems that the computers only talk to each other when the cards are
> > running at 1Mbit.
> >
> > Does anyone have any idea why this happens?
>
> I had the same problem with 2 Belkin 54G PCI cards a few months ago:/
>
> My solution was as follows.
>
> 1. Download the US version of the drivers on both machines
> 2. Uninstall the EU version of the drivers
> 3. Install the US drivers - choosing "Worldwide" under the country settings
> in the Belkin utility
> 4. Change the device manager settings to "54g-Performance" under IBSS 54g
> mode for each card
> 5. Install Internet Connection Sharing... etc
>
> This has worked for me - I am now able to connect via my 2nd PC at 48/54Mbs
> and connect to the internet...
>
> If it works for you, could you let both me now and also complain to Belkin
> ((E-Mail Removed)) - asking them to fix/update the European drivers
>
> You will note that the European drivers are "behind" the US ones bith in
> version number and about 3 months older based on release date.
>
> The functionallty of the US and EU drivers are identical - the only
> difference is that the EU ones allow you to choose 1 of 13 channels while
> the US ones only allow one of eleven.
>
> If the above doesn't work I'd also like to know
>
> > Should I abandon the ad hoc
> > network and get a wireless modem (or wireless router - what's the
> > difference?).
>
> If you only need "ad hoc" access - i.e. you are happy having the desktop on,
> when the laptop needs to use the internet you don't need a router.
>
> I currently have an "ad hoc" solution in place but plan to upgrade at some
> stage as it will be more convienant for our usage patterns.
>
> As for the difference between wireless modem and wireless router - simply if
> you have an ethernet ADSL modem already, you can use a wireless
> router/access point.
>
> If you currently have a USB modem you will need an wireless router with a
> built in ADSL modem (you can then retire your USB modem) - examples of these
> combined wireless routers with ADSL modem include:
>
> Netgear DG834G
> Belkin model: F5D7630
> Linksys WAG54G (due to be released this month)
> US Robotics USR9106
> Draytek Vigor 2600G
>
> All the above are 54G/802.11g solutions (Amazon and Ebuyer seem to be
> competitive) so you can maximise performance with the Belkin cards you have
> already brought.
>
> Regards
> Sunil
>
>

"nick" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:3ff4de5e$1$25967$(E-Mail Removed).. .
> if your using XP you'll need the WPA update from MS for these cards.

Its not compulsory

Regards
Sunil

"nick" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:3ff4dcac$1$24886$(E-Mail Removed).. .
> in the properties of each belkin card make sure they are both
> 1) using the same channel
> 2) both set to use 54g - auto

As the OP can already make a connection (its the speed thats the problem),
his cards are already on the same channel.

"54g - auto" is the default setting for the drivers- the OP should use
"54g-Performance" as he has no older 802.11b cards

Not setting "54g-Performance" contributed to the problem I had (and the OP
now has) as confirmed to me by Belkin technical support and my own tests.

Regards
Sunil

then explain how mine work set to 54g-auto?
if speed is the problem he should try every channel, and make sure the
cards are very close, preferably same room.

"Sunil Sood" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:bt2ngo$2nnrr$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "nick" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:3ff4dcac$1$24886$(E-Mail Removed).. .
> > in the properties of each belkin card make sure they are both
> > 1) using the same channel
> > 2) both set to use 54g - auto
>
> As the OP can already make a connection (its the speed thats the problem),
> his cards are already on the same channel.
>
> "54g - auto" is the default setting for the drivers- the OP should use
> "54g-Performance" as he has no older 802.11b cards
>
> Not setting "54g-Performance" contributed to the problem I had (and the OP
> now has) as confirmed to me by Belkin technical support and my own tests.
>
> Regards
> Sunil
>
>

Since WEP is insecure id say it was.

"Sunil Sood" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:bt2ngo$2nnrr$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "nick" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:3ff4de5e$1$25967$(E-Mail Removed).. .
> > if your using XP you'll need the WPA update from MS for these cards.
>
> Its not compulsory
>
> Regards
> Sunil
>
>

"nick" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:3ff4ea6b$1$20369$(E-Mail Removed).. .
> then explain how mine work set to 54g-auto?
> if speed is the problem he should try every channel, and make sure the
> cards are very close, preferably same room.

On 54g-auto (the default setting) the cards try to work in both 802.11b and
g mode.

If there are no 802.11b devices present on the network it should be set to
"54g-Performance"(= try 802.11g only) - as otherwise you can get the
problems the OP has (and I had) with the devices connecting at 802.11b and
showing a connection speed of 1MB instead of what they are capable of. <--
this is according to Belkin's technical support in the USA, Holland and
India..

The OP is unfortunately describing a common problem and its mainly driver
and settings related, not channel related - though granted that can
sometimes be a factor.

Regards
Sunil

Cheers Sunil. I'm downloading the US drivers as I write.

How come the cards negotiate down to 1Mb? Is this automatic? If so, why did
it take two hours of fiddling for this to happen? Can I set the speed myself
or must I wait for the cards to go from 54->11->2->1Mbit?

Wireless modems are a bit cheaper than wireless routers, so what's the
difference?

Thanks again. I'll let you know how I get on with my new drivers.

Bobby

"Sunil Sood" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:bt2m2i$2qnt4$(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Bobby" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:bt23uh$2i53o$(E-Mail Removed)...
> > I'm trying to get an ad hoc (router-less) wireless network
off-the-ground
> > (at home) and I bought two 54Mb Belkin wireless cards - one for my
desktop
> > (with ADSL access to the Net) and one for my wife's laptop. I want to
> share
> > Net access, printing and limited file sharing (not games).
> >
> > It worked (with a little fiddling) out-of-the-box but I could only get
> > access speeds of 1Mb (according to my network icon in the system tray).
> >
> > So I downloaded the latest Belkin drivers (dated May 2003 - the supplied
> CD
> > drivers were dated Nov. 2002). The driver update caused major problems
(XP
> > was OK but I lost network connectivity for a few hours). After a *lot*
of
> > fiddling, I got the computers talking again -- but only after the speed
> fell
> > to 1Mb again.
> >
> > So, it seems that the computers only talk to each other when the cards
are
> > running at 1Mbit.
> >
> > Does anyone have any idea why this happens?
>
> I had the same problem with 2 Belkin 54G PCI cards a few months ago:/
>
> My solution was as follows.
>
> 1. Download the US version of the drivers on both machines
> 2. Uninstall the EU version of the drivers
> 3. Install the US drivers - choosing "Worldwide" under the country
settings
> in the Belkin utility
> 4. Change the device manager settings to "54g-Performance" under IBSS 54g
> mode for each card
> 5. Install Internet Connection Sharing... etc
>
> This has worked for me - I am now able to connect via my 2nd PC at
48/54Mbs
> and connect to the internet...
>
> If it works for you, could you let both me now and also complain to Belkin
> ((E-Mail Removed)) - asking them to fix/update the European drivers
>
> You will note that the European drivers are "behind" the US ones bith in
> version number and about 3 months older based on release date.
>
> The functionallty of the US and EU drivers are identical - the only
> difference is that the EU ones allow you to choose 1 of 13 channels while
> the US ones only allow one of eleven.
>
> If the above doesn't work I'd also like to know
>
> > Should I abandon the ad hoc
> > network and get a wireless modem (or wireless router - what's the
> > difference?).
>
> If you only need "ad hoc" access - i.e. you are happy having the desktop
on,
> when the laptop needs to use the internet you don't need a router.
>
> I currently have an "ad hoc" solution in place but plan to upgrade at some
> stage as it will be more convienant for our usage patterns.
>
> As for the difference between wireless modem and wireless router - simply
if
> you have an ethernet ADSL modem already, you can use a wireless
> router/access point.
>
> If you currently have a USB modem you will need an wireless router with a
> built in ADSL modem (you can then retire your USB modem) - examples of
these
> combined wireless routers with ADSL modem include:
>
> Netgear DG834G
> Belkin model: F5D7630
> Linksys WAG54G (due to be released this month)
> US Robotics USR9106
> Draytek Vigor 2600G
>
> All the above are 54G/802.11g solutions (Amazon and Ebuyer seem to be
> competitive) so you can maximise performance with the Belkin cards you
have
> already brought.
>
> Regards
> Sunil
>
>