Laptop, 802.11g, & High Speed Internet (Cable)

Hello all,

I just set up my first wireless network and not sure if everything is the
way it should be.

Here's what I'm working with:
A brand new laptop with a 802.11b/g mini pci card
A Desktop
NetGear Wireless Router WGR614 v2
A high Speed Cable Internet Connection

I'm not even sure how I got a connection at all with the laptop to the
network, but I did. My question is how fast should this connection actually
be. The icon in the task bar (next to the clock) shows a good connection at
anywhere from 11Mbps-54Mbps, but everything seems VERY slow...Almost like a
typical dial up speed. I was under the impression by getting 802.11g
equipment, I would get very good speeds. The desktop is obviously still
connecting to the internet at a very good speed, but the laptop is SLOW.

Are there any tips or things I should check to make sure everything is set
up correctly?

Thanks in advance...

PS:
Should I be required to "connect" to the wireless network from my laptop
each time I turn it on?

I can only download from my cable modem at about 2.5 mbps, that is the speed
of the IP.
From machine to machine I get about 40 mbps, and that is pretty good for
wireless G 54.
When hardwired, the speed from the IP is the same but machine to machine it
the full 100 mbps.
So wireless is definitely slower on the internal network.

"newtothis" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:JQcSb.177475$I06.1820844@attbi_s01...
> Hello all,
>
> I just set up my first wireless network and not sure if everything is the
> way it should be.
>
> Here's what I'm working with:
> A brand new laptop with a 802.11b/g mini pci card
> A Desktop
> NetGear Wireless Router WGR614 v2
> A high Speed Cable Internet Connection
>
> I'm not even sure how I got a connection at all with the laptop to the
> network, but I did. My question is how fast should this connection
actually
> be. The icon in the task bar (next to the clock) shows a good connection
at
> anywhere from 11Mbps-54Mbps, but everything seems VERY slow...Almost like
a
> typical dial up speed. I was under the impression by getting 802.11g
> equipment, I would get very good speeds. The desktop is obviously still
> connecting to the internet at a very good speed, but the laptop is SLOW.
>
> Are there any tips or things I should check to make sure everything is set
> up correctly?
>
> Thanks in advance...
>
> PS:
> Should I be required to "connect" to the wireless network from my laptop
> each time I turn it on?
>
>