Need network help [wireless throughput]

I am trying to get a pc with a pci adapter to see my wireless network. The pc in question is about 125 feet away, and there are a few walls (residential construction) in the line of sight. The pc in question is running Windows 98SE, and is a Dell Dimension XPS T500 (PIII, 384MB pc100 sdram, A11 bios), and i am using a Netgear WG311T adapter.

I originally tried using my old M$ wireless b router, but the signal only got to about half way. So I have replaced the router with a new Netgear WGU624 double 108 router, that according to Netgear goes over 400' through concrete walls. I also purchased the matching Netgear pci adapter for the pc in question (the WG311T).

I have two other existing wireless adapters that are on this new network, both are M$ adapters, both much closer, and both work fine.

The best throughput I can get to the adapter in the pc in question is 3Mbps, and 30% signal strength. This amounts to internet activity that makes dialup look good.

In the Network neighborhood properties (keep in mind this is W98SE), I am using Client for M$ Networks, and within that all of the services and protocols you would expect. I have the IP in TCP/IP assigned manually, matching the IP I reserved for it in the router software. This was the only way I could get the adapter to see the router.

I have made sure that there is as little interference as possible between the router and adapter. I've also moved the pc in question so that the back of it is facing the router (the case is not in the way of the antennas).

The results so far are pathetic. I expected to get this pc on my network at or near double108 mode, at least 54. I would rather not have to spend more $$$ on hardware like a repeater or whatever might help get better signal strength to the adapter. Any suggestions?

does the speed increase when you move the pc closer? if so you are probably SOL and netgear lied about the 400ft thing.

does the speed increase when you move the pc closer?

I can't move it much closer, but the little distance I can move it (across the room) doesn't make any difference in speed.

wifi works by line of sight. i'd say you're sol. btw, you should've gotten a linksys wrt54g and installed a hacked firmware and tried to boost the signal.

wifi works by line of sight. i'd say you're sol. btw, you should've gotten a linksys wrt54g and installed a hacked firmware and tried to boost the signal.

lol, i was hoping to do that with the WGU624.

if wifi works by line of sight, how can my two working adapters see my router w/o line of sight? how do salesmen pull into hotel parking lots and leech hotel wifi from their laptops?

i don't completely disagree with you, i think the obstructions are part of the problem. i'll test that theory tonight.

lol, i was hoping to do that with the WGU624.

if wifi works by line of sight, how can my two working adapters see my router w/o line of sight? how do salesmen pull into hotel parking lots and leech hotel wifi from their laptops?

i don't completely disagree with you, i think the obstructions are part of the problem. i'll test that theory tonight.
http://www.webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionar y&va=line+of+sight

2 : the straight path between a radio or television transmitting antenna and receiving antenna when unobstructed by the horizon

Wifi is radio. radio signals bounce off things, and they make it through solid objects, but greatly weakened.

wow i really appreciate you talking down to me and making things easy to understand. if i wanted a definition bee 'd have gone to GD.

Netgear WG311T adapter. I almost guarantee you its the adapter. It uses an atheros chipset which is NOT FIRMWARE upgradable. Depending on the HW Revision, you may or may not be screwed, however I am assuming from your experiences its the same card I have. (so you are screwed).

Buy this -> http://www.demarctech.com/products/reliawave-rwu/reliawave-rwu-400mw-atheros-802.11g-mini-pci-to-pci-card.html

400mW PCI, and has support for a RP-SMA connect to go to an external antenna. For every 3db of antenna gain, you double the power.

Your netgear card now, throw it away BUT KEEP THE Dipole antenna as it uses an RP-SMA connector and screw that onto the new card. The dipole antenna is 5dBi. After doing the math, I figure that'll give you almost 1W EIRP. (Which will burn holes in your walls on the way to your Access Point).

email me at razorjack at google mail if you have questions.

wow i really appreciate you talking down to me and making things easy to understand. if i wanted a definition bee 'd have gone to GD.
you're welcome. it's not like i answered your question or anything like that.

if wifi works by line of sight, how can my two working adapters see my router w/o line of sight? how do salesmen pull into hotel parking lots and leech hotel wifi from their laptops?
Wifi is radio. radio signals bounce off things, and they make it through solid objects, but greatly weakened.

Invar, I asked for suggestions, you offered none. If I was to listen to you I would throw my hands up in the air and say, "Oh well, I'm sol, I guess I'll give up". Nothing you've offered in this thread helps me in any way. If not appreciating your quote from webster makes me a sarcastic jerk, then so be it.

Razorjack on the other hand, has offered an idea that might actually solve my problem. See his post for an appropriate reply to this thread.

i already offered a suggestion. wrt54g, different router, or rather i told you what you should've tried. RJ's suggestion for a different card isn't that much different from my suggestion for a different router.

you asked another question, and i answered it just like that. quit your bellyaching.

If you have a router and a network card with removable antennas, get a coax. cable of the right kind for the antenna and stick each just outside the window. You can also leave the router indoors and create a passive repeater if you know about antenans, and use directional elements.

http://www.netscum.com/~clapp/wireless.html

I don't like the round elements they use on the "yagi", a real yagi has straight wire elements (probably of the same length as their diameter).