upgrade questions

I'm considering upgrading my router/wireless components. I've got high-speed
cable and two computers, one is a desktop and one is a laptop without
internal wireless. Currently I'm running the laptop with a Linksys Instant
wireless PCI Card (Version 3) and a Linksys BEFW11S4 Router. It is 2.4GHz
and 802.11b. I've also using Vonage and once in awhile I have to reset the
router, etc. for some reason. Not a huge deal but a bit of a pain. My main
issue is that inside my own house (2400 sq. ft so it's not overly huge) I
get very low signal strength on my laptop. I find that odd since my
neighbors say they can see my network sometimes as much as 100 yards away.
I'm wondering if I upgrade to a "g" router will I get much better reception
and speed. The speed is not much of an issue right now but the signal
strength is. Also, if I do upgrade the router will I have to upgrade the PCI
card as well. If so any suggestions on the router and card or general setup?
thanks,
Drew

On Sat, 24 Jun 2006 14:23:31 -0400, "DP" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed)> :

>I'm considering upgrading my router/wireless components. I've got high-speed
>cable and two computers, one is a desktop and one is a laptop without
>internal wireless. Currently I'm running the laptop with a Linksys Instant
>wireless PCI Card (Version 3) and a Linksys BEFW11S4 Router. It is 2.4GHz
>and 802.11b. I've also using Vonage and once in awhile I have to reset the
>router, etc. for some reason. Not a huge deal but a bit of a pain. My main
>issue is that inside my own house (2400 sq. ft so it's not overly huge) I
>get very low signal strength on my laptop. I find that odd since my
>neighbors say they can see my network sometimes as much as 100 yards away.
>I'm wondering if I upgrade to a "g" router will I get much better reception
>and speed.

Probably not, unless you go completely NIMO.

All you might need is a better antenna -- see wikis below.

>The speed is not much of an issue right now but the signal
>strength is. Also, if I do upgrade the router will I have to upgrade the PCI
>card as well. If so any suggestions on the router and card or general setup?

To get better range, go with a better antenna, or with NIMO on both
ends.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_How_To>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

"John Navas" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Sat, 24 Jun 2006 14:23:31 -0400, "DP" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> <(E-Mail Removed)> :
>
>>I'm considering upgrading my router/wireless components. I've got
>>high-speed
>>cable and two computers, one is a desktop and one is a laptop without
>>internal wireless. Currently I'm running the laptop with a Linksys Instant
>>wireless PCI Card (Version 3) and a Linksys BEFW11S4 Router. It is 2.4GHz
>>and 802.11b. I've also using Vonage and once in awhile I have to reset the
>>router, etc. for some reason. Not a huge deal but a bit of a pain. My main
>>issue is that inside my own house (2400 sq. ft so it's not overly huge) I
>>get very low signal strength on my laptop. I find that odd since my
>>neighbors say they can see my network sometimes as much as 100 yards away.
>>I'm wondering if I upgrade to a "g" router will I get much better
>>reception
>>and speed.
>
> Probably not, unless you go completely NIMO.
>
> All you might need is a better antenna -- see wikis below.
>
>>The speed is not much of an issue right now but the signal
>>strength is. Also, if I do upgrade the router will I have to upgrade the
>>PCI
>>card as well. If so any suggestions on the router and card or general
>>setup?
>
> To get better range, go with a better antenna, or with NIMO on both
> ends.
>
> --
> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_How_To>
> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>