WiFi-Texas.com Inc
815-A Brazos #326

Austin, Texas 78701

 

Connection slow?

 

Configuring your computer

for Community access - self help guide

 

Including links to updated wifi adapter drivers for Windows XP

Windows does not update your adapter drivers automatically - you must do this manually

© Copyright 2006 - wifi-texas.com inc, Austin Tx


Locate the control for your wireless adapter:

 

 

Detail of the icon:

 

 

 

 

You want the one on the left

 

 

 

 

 

Click on “Open Network Connections”

 

 note, a properly configured firewall will not interfere with your connection,

if you cannot connect, disable the firewall temporarily

 

Right Click on the wireless adapter, select properties:

 

note, if any adapter shows in Bridge Mode - consult

windows help to remove the bridge

 

 

 If there is more than one wireless adapter, only one may be enabled,

disable the other one now.

 

 

 

 

 

Click on Configure:

 

Click on Advanced

 

 

Every card is different:

 

We will show examples

 

Roaming must be  set for:

slow

 

 

 

 

Here is a different card, same function, roaming must be set to conservative

 

 

 

 

Anther control, if present, set to distance, not performance.

 

 

 

 

Set to broad compatibility

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transmit power:

 

Set to maximum

 

 

 

 

Disable Power Saving

 

The WiFi adapter needs to remain linked to the base station.

 

 

Another example. Find all power save settings and disable them.

 

Disable minimum power consumption.

 

This means the adapter will maintain the connection.

 

 

 

 

Select broader compatibility

 

 

If there is any reference to PLC header or preamble, set it to long

NOT auto,
NOT short/long

 

Check the Driver Date, see if there is a newer driver, in this example, the driver is from Oct 2003 – much has been improved in 3 years.

 

List list below for popular examples:

Manufacterer Click on link
Sony laptops enter model number
HP/compaq laptops autodetect updates
Dell laptops enter service tag
Toshiba laptops select by model
IBM laptops autodetect updates
Gateway laptops select by serial number
Intel 2100 download driver(dated 8/6/2006)
Intel 2200bg download driver (dated 5/25/2007)
Intel 2915/3945abg download driver (dated 5/25/2007)
Intel all download driver
Dell WLAN
(1350, 1370, 1390, 1450, 1470, 1490, 1500) 		download driver (date 11/15/2006)
Dell WLAN
(1300, 1400) 		download driver (date 12/19/2006)
Atheros AR500 family download driver

remember where the driver is downloaded, then click on "update driver", skip the web connection, browse to the location where you stored the download, and complete the updating. Now, reboot the computer and reconnect

 

Other Performance Issues

Please no Range Extenders!

The use of WRE54G or similar "range extenders" will drive you crazy. These devices are the snake oil of the wifi industry. Instead of buying a WRE54G - follow the settings suggested in this document. Turn the WRE54G off and send it back.

Signal Improvement