Old wireless works. New stuff doesn't... Help?

I'm stuck and I'm hoping to find some help. It would be appreciated if
someone could offer some suggestions or a newsgroup that may be more
relevant...

Before I had any problems I had a NetGear 802.11b router. The router is
configured for Shared authentication using 128bit WEP. In my laptop I had
installed a Proxim Harmony 8432 802.11b Cardbus network card. I was able to
get these devices configured and working properly - proper SSID, WEP key,
etc. I can share files, surf the web, etc. without a problem from anyplace
in my home.

Now, I just purchased an SMC 802.11a wireless access point, SMC 2735W
802.11a Cardbus card and a DLink DWL-650AB 802.11a&b Cardbus card. I've also
borrowed a friends SMC 2335W 802.11a&b Cardbus card. I can't get ANY of
these devices working at all.

The SMC a card is defective. Once the drivers are installed, the laptop will
just stop whenever the card is inserted. Once I pull the card back out the
laptop continues like nothing has happened. This card has been RMA'd to SMC
and I await the replacement.

The DLink card drivers installed fine and there are no issues with the card
installed. If I open up the DLink utility and look at the site survey I
sometimes see no networks, sometimes I see my own 802.11b (Netgear) with
between 40% and 60% signal and sometimes I even see my two neighbours
802.11b networks, but with much lower levels. I never see the 802.11a
network. Even though I can see my 802.11b network, no matter how I configure
the connection I cannot connect to it.

My friends SMC card had no problems with driver install and the laptop works
fine when the card is inserted, but it's even worse than the DLink. It never
sees a network in the site survey.

The configuration in my 802.11b router is pretty tight... 128bit WEP
encryption with a Shared key and MAC access control. All MAC addresses for
NICs have been added and configurations verified that they match.

The configuration in my 802.11a WAP is pretty much wide open... Open
encryption, MAC access control disabled.

My laptop in running Windows XP Pro SP1. It's an HP Pavilion N5495. Distance
between the laptop and access points is under 30 feet and I've even tried
closer than 5 feet. I can still use my Proxim 802.11b card without a
problem, so I know my CardBus slots are working. I have the latest
drivers/software for my hardware.

Can anyone suggest what it happening here?




Noozer

"Noozer" <postmaster@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:gDY0c.646748$JQ1.191188@pd7tw1no...
> I'm stuck and I'm hoping to find some help. It would be appreciated if
> someone could offer some suggestions or a newsgroup that may be more
> relevant...
>
> Before I had any problems I had a NetGear 802.11b router. The router is
> configured for Shared authentication using 128bit WEP. In my laptop I had
> installed a Proxim Harmony 8432 802.11b Cardbus network card. I was able
to
> get these devices configured and working properly - proper SSID, WEP key,
> etc. I can share files, surf the web, etc. without a problem from anyplace
> in my home.
>
> Now, I just purchased an SMC 802.11a wireless access point, SMC 2735W
> 802.11a Cardbus card and a DLink DWL-650AB 802.11a&b Cardbus card. I've
also
> borrowed a friends SMC 2335W 802.11a&b Cardbus card. I can't get ANY of
> these devices working at all.

<snip>

Something I should have mentioned... The Proxim card doesn't support Windows
Wireless Zero Configuration. Going to stop that service and see what luck I
have with the other cards later tonight.

"Noozer" <postmaster@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:Eo61c.650128$JQ1.438911@pd7tw1no...
>
> "Noozer" <postmaster@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
> news:gDY0c.646748$JQ1.191188@pd7tw1no...
> > I'm stuck and I'm hoping to find some help. It would be appreciated if
> > someone could offer some suggestions or a newsgroup that may be more
> > relevant...
> >
> > Before I had any problems I had a NetGear 802.11b router. The router is
> > configured for Shared authentication using 128bit WEP. In my laptop I
had
> > installed a Proxim Harmony 8432 802.11b Cardbus network card. I was able
> to
> > get these devices configured and working properly - proper SSID, WEP
key,
> > etc. I can share files, surf the web, etc. without a problem from
anyplace
> > in my home.
> >
> > Now, I just purchased an SMC 802.11a wireless access point, SMC 2735W
> > 802.11a Cardbus card and a DLink DWL-650AB 802.11a&b Cardbus card. I've
> also
> > borrowed a friends SMC 2335W 802.11a&b Cardbus card. I can't get ANY of
> > these devices working at all.
>
> <snip>
>
> Something I should have mentioned... The Proxim card doesn't support
Windows
> Wireless Zero Configuration. Going to stop that service and see what luck
I
> have with the other cards later tonight.

Still no go... I can't beleive that all the parts I purchased are
defective... Going to format the laptop and try to get it going on a fresh
install. Kind of drastic but that's all I can think of.