Linksys WRT54G + WPC54G -- maximum range of 1 foot?!

I have a Linksys wireless-g WRT54G router, and a WPC54G network card
for my Windows XP IBM Thinkpad. The maximum range the computer can be
from the router seems to be about one foot (seriously). Even then, the
signal strength hovers around Low. I've tried all channels (1 - 11),
and I spent an hour on the phone with Linksys. They claim the problem
is that my laptop has a Texas Instruments Cardbus. They said I need to
exchange it for a wpc11v4 card (which is wireless-b?). Does that sound
right?

I tried the "beta" drivers (supposedly for TI cardbuses) available on
the Linksys WPC54G driver download page, but I only received a "failed
to initialize" type error from those drivers.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm currently having to connect the
laptop to the router using a wired connection, which isn't ideal for
my needs.

Thanks,
Mike

No responses from anyone?

Perhaps the problem relates to faulty hardware?

-Mike

> I have a Linksys wireless-g WRT54G router, and a WPC54G network card
> for my Windows XP IBM Thinkpad. The maximum range the computer can be
> from the router seems to be about one foot (seriously). Even then, the
> signal strength hovers around Low. I've tried all channels (1 - 11),
> and I spent an hour on the phone with Linksys. They claim the problem
> is that my laptop has a Texas Instruments Cardbus. They said I need to
> exchange it for a wpc11v4 card (which is wireless-b?). Does that sound
> right?
>
> I tried the "beta" drivers (supposedly for TI cardbuses) available on
> the Linksys WPC54G driver download page, but I only received a "failed
> to initialize" type error from those drivers.
>
> Any help would be appreciated. I'm currently having to connect the
> laptop to the router using a wired connection, which isn't ideal for
> my needs.
>
> Thanks,
> Mike

Mike Gnitecki wrote:

> I have a Linksys wireless-g WRT54G router, and a WPC54G network card
> for my Windows XP IBM Thinkpad. The maximum range the computer can be
> from the router seems to be about one foot (seriously). Even then, the
> signal strength hovers around Low. I've tried all channels (1 - 11),
> and I spent an hour on the phone with Linksys. They claim the problem
> is that my laptop has a Texas Instruments Cardbus. They said I need to
> exchange it for a wpc11v4 card (which is wireless-b?). Does that sound
> right?
>

It sounds like a defective unit. Can you compare with something else?

--

Fundamentalism is fundamentally wrong.

To reply to this message, replace everything to the left of "@" with
james.knott.

James Knott <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<tesRb.24330$(E-Mail Removed) able.rogers.com>...
> Mike Gnitecki wrote:
>
> > I have a Linksys wireless-g WRT54G router, and a WPC54G network card
> > for my Windows XP IBM Thinkpad. The maximum range the computer can be
> > from the router seems to be about one foot (seriously). Even then, the
> > signal strength hovers around Low. I've tried all channels (1 - 11),
> > and I spent an hour on the phone with Linksys. They claim the problem
> > is that my laptop has a Texas Instruments Cardbus. They said I need to
> > exchange it for a wpc11v4 card (which is wireless-b?). Does that sound
> > right?
> >
>
> It sounds like a defective unit. Can you compare with something else?

There's another card (same brand, same model) I could try.

Or did you mean the router?

Thanks,
Mike

Mike Gnitecki wrote:
> I have a Linksys wireless-g WRT54G router, and a WPC54G network card
> for my Windows XP IBM Thinkpad. The maximum range the computer can be
> from the router seems to be about one foot (seriously). Even then, the
> signal strength hovers around Low. I've tried all channels (1 - 11),
> and I spent an hour on the phone with Linksys. They claim the problem
> is that my laptop has a Texas Instruments Cardbus. They said I need to
> exchange it for a wpc11v4 card (which is wireless-b?). Does that sound
> right?
>
> I tried the "beta" drivers (supposedly for TI cardbuses) available on
> the Linksys WPC54G driver download page, but I only received a "failed
> to initialize" type error from those drivers.
>
> Any help would be appreciated. I'm currently having to connect the
> laptop to the router using a wired connection, which isn't ideal for
> my needs.
>
> Thanks,
> Mike

Mike, I did a quick Google search on TI cardbus and wireless. There are
problems that have been resolved with the Linksys TI driver. I would
try to get the driver installed by first, with the card inserted,
removing it from device manager, and then removing whatever is installed
in Add/Remove programs. Then shut down, remove the card, reboot, and
try installing the driver with the card removed, inserting it only after
the driver and software is installed. In addition, there are comments
about unchecking QoS packet scheduler in the protocol setup to improve
connection.

Q

Mike Gnitecki wrote:

>> It sounds like a defective unit. Can you compare with something else?
>
> There's another card (same brand, same model) I could try.
>
> Or did you mean the router?
>

Either. Try to isolate where the problem may be.

--

Fundamentalism is fundamentally wrong.

To reply to this message, replace everything to the left of "@" with
james.knott.

I've had similar problems. Mine Was a faulty PC Card.
I could get poor to fair single link quality
when placed literally next to the AP.

I took the card back to Best Buy, the replacement unit worked
like a champ. I have since run into the same issue two more times with
linksys PC card products. I now prefer Orinoco or Aironet.

If you have the ability to get another wireless adapter or AP, that
would be the best way to trouble-shoot the problem. Know anyone else
with wireless equipment?

Mike

(E-Mail Removed) (Mike) wrote in message news:<(E-Mail Removed). com>...
> I've had similar problems. Mine Was a faulty PC Card.
> I could get poor to fair single link quality
> when placed literally next to the AP.
>
> I took the card back to Best Buy, the replacement unit worked
> like a champ. I have since run into the same issue two more times with
> linksys PC card products. I now prefer Orinoco or Aironet.
[...]

It might be best for me to try an Orinoco card. What type would I
need? I've seen references to "Silver" and "Gold". I'm not sure what,
if any, differences there are in reception between the two.

Thanks,
Mike