[OmegaRED]

I upgraded my DSL and my ISP threw in a Wireless Networking modem for free so I'd like to get a wireless network card. What's the best USB model? I'm also up for using a PCI card instead if the performance is better.

[Tipstaff]

Originally Posted by OmegaRED

I upgraded my DSL and my ISP threw in a Wireless Networking modem for free so I'd like to get a wireless network card. What's the best USB model? I'm also up for using a PCI card instead if the performance is better.

Which networking modem? Is it one that replaces your DSL modem, such as the SpeedStream from Siemens (I think it was the 6520 or some such)? If so you will find mixed success with almost all manufactuers of cards. There are 2 that I would stay clear from as that modem will not work with them properly. Those are Intels 2200BG (which would be a laptop card), and ones from Atheros (again, mostly used in laptops).

One thing I would advise when looking for a USB wireless nic would be to purchase ones that use a docking station, or if you get a PCI card to get one with an antenna that you can place anywhere. One of the major complaints of wirless cards has to do with distance, and reception. Part of the problem is that most cards use a small antenna (2-3 inches long), and that antenna is buried 1/2 way down the back of a computer below the PSU, which just happens to be the major source of interference. Some, like Motorolas or some of the new Linksys cards use a longer, higher gain atenna that is about 6 inches long. By using a docking station, or a wired antenna (buying it with one of these reduces your need, if ever, to buy one later), you will be able to increase the gain of the device (giving you better reception/transmission), as well as move the antenna away from, or at least above the PSU. For instance, take a look at the 3 units below:

D-Link


Linksys



Innovated Tech (called Zio)


The Linksys one is a pretty extreme version of a USB card with a docking station. Infact, it's bloody HUGE, coming in at almost a foot or so long when you extend the antenna (it works, but right at the base is a metal hinge that I'm sure will losen up after a while). There are also a few companies that use a standard USB dongle, but have a jack on the end for attaching an external antenna like the one in the D-Link picture.


Sorry for making this a huge response, but I figured the more you knew, the better the decision. I don't really like suggesting one brand over the other, mostly because depending on the wireless router you have your mileage can vary. Normally I'd suggest using the same brand that your wirless router is, but if it is a Siemans SpeedStream wireless router I'd highly suggest not getting Siemens wireless nic. I'd start with the name brand guys, and work your way down from there. And if you can buy from a place that will allow you to take back the card if need be the better.

[OmegaRED]

I won't know until it's delivered, but I expect the modem to be a Speedstream 6300


That DLink Air Premiere you posted is $70CDN and that's about the price I'm looking to pay.

What do you think of this Linksys adapter it's cheaper but I've read conflicting reviews about it, newegg is positive though. It's USB, whereas the Dlink isn't. Does it look like a POS?


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124158

[Tipstaff]

Bah.. SpeedStream.. now those are a POS. Bell Canada has been trying like hell to get me to take one, but both my Dell M60s use Intel wireless cards. As such the damn router will keep dropping the signal all the time. I basically kept the old Alcatel Speed Touch Home DSL modem, and told them to shove that POS up their.. err.. butts.

Word of warning: if you tend to do a lot of downloading, especially P2P, for some reason these SpeedStream routers tend to overheat, so be careful as to where and how you place it (give it some breathing room).

As for the Linksys, yeah.. POS. All the box units like that never really worked well in my experience (SMC has probably the worst ones). Mind you, out of the Linksys ones, I've had clients that have had better luck with the WUSB54GS, which is the b/g variant then the one you posted being the a/g version. Of those types I've only personally had success with the Linksys WUSB54GX4. Could be due to the fact that it seems to be better built, and reception is better due to the dual antennas.

[OmegaRED]

Alright, it ended up being a Speedstream 6520, which looks cheap as hell and runs hotter than my gpu, but I'll keep it for now. I bought the Linksys WUSB54GS because it was on sale at Future Shop and if I pair it up with a LinkSys Speedbooster router in the future it'll give a nice 35% boost in speed.

[H3X4D3C1M4L]

Originally Posted by OmegaRED

Alright, it ended up being a Speedstream 6520, which looks cheap as hell and runs hotter than my gpu

You're either running something really old and being sarcastic or your modem/router puts out far too much heat

Time for a fan mod on that thing?

[OmegaRED]

I got scammed by Bell

The High Speed Ultra they charged me for and sent me a wireless modem for isn't even available in my area. I guess this is what happens when the techs in India don't give a shit about your order.

[Tipstaff]

Originally Posted by OmegaRED

I got scammed by Bell

The High Speed Ultra they charged me for and sent me a wireless modem for isn't even available in my area. I guess this is what happens when the techs in India don't give a shit about your order.

Dude, you don't know the half of it. The first time I inquired about the 5mb line Bell insisted that I had to get the HSU service. I later found out that wasn't the case. See, what Bell forgot to mention was that they upgraded all their High Speed service to 5mb. So, as of 1 year ago there is NO difference between the High Speed (5mb down, 800kbps up) and High Speed Ultra (exact same speeds) service other than the fact that you get that crap wireless modem/router and the security package included. The only thing is they don't guarantee that speed.

So, anyone with Bell Sympatico High Speed DSL, if you aren't getting 5mb speed, call Bell and bitch. Also, if you've ever had the High Speed Ultra service in the past (more than 1 year ago), and went back to the regular High Speed, call Bell right away. The reason I never got my automatic upgrade to 5mb was because I had the HSU service when it first came out (and later got rid of it). Rather than switch it back to the 3mb speed they manually locked the speed at that rather than change the hardware. My problem was that the lock was never removed when they upgraded everyone to 5mb.

BTW, Omega, one thing you might want to do is inquire about their yearly contract service. If you sign up for a long term contract you can actually get the service cheaper per month, sometimes as low as $30 a month depending on how long you have been with them, what other services you get from them such as phone/cell/Express Vu, and how long a contract you sign.

[OmegaRED]

I had heard of the speed increases a long time ago and always wondered why I never got it, I even contacted Bell about it asking for my speed increase but they blew me off.

When I called to upgrade to Ultra there was a contract and it was cheaper but I'll never lock myself into a contract with Bell or Rogers again as I've had to get out of them before and it cost an arm and a leg.

For now I'm just gonna keep the Ultra service and Wireless modem because it's only 4 bucks more per month than High Speed and I get the free modem; the speed is exactly the same. I'm tempted to switch to Rogers Extreme which is 6mb down/1mb up but I'd go through their download cap in a week so I'll just stick with Bell and pray they upgrade the lines around here someday.

[H3X4D3C1M4L]

Originally Posted by OmegaRED

I had heard of the speed increases a long time ago and always wondered why I never got it, I even contacted Bell about it asking for my speed increase but they blew me off.

When I called to upgrade to Ultra there was a contract and it was cheaper but I'll never lock myself into a contract with Bell or Rogers again as I've had to get out of them before and it cost an arm and a leg.

For now I'm just gonna keep the Ultra service and Wireless modem because it's only 4 bucks more per month than High Speed and I get the free modem; the speed is exactly the same. I'm tempted to switch to Rogers Extreme which is 6mb down/1mb up but I'd go through their download cap in a week so I'll just stick with Bell and pray they upgrade the lines around here someday.

Wow thats BS Bell gave me my Ultra for free (I was paying for just 3Mbit), and when I moved up the street I just got the upgrade for free, no modem change nothing.

Some people get luckier than others I guess. I'm also a stones throw from a switching office so

[kaZantipman]

I'm using Alfa AWUS036H Very powerful adapter.
You can also find many reviews and selections of best usb adapters here

[blibbax]

Thread necro ftw.

[Tyrsonswood]

I've seen better......

[OmegaRED]

Wireless USB is too flaky and I abandoned it, even though I have Linksys dual band Wireless N usb adapter and a Asus Dual band router there's nothing that matches the reliability of Gigabit wired networking. Everything from my tv to my ps3 is wired only my iphone uses wireless and I don't regret the trouble of hiding 200feet of cat 5 cable

[blibbax]

I use a wireless bridge - so the PC sees it as wired, and it's as reliable as wired