Difference in signal strength/noise Access Online vs. XP wireless control?

I had to uninstall Thinkvantage Access last week because the ABGN wireless in the T60 would not wake up after closing the lid on the computer or going to sleep by FN4, even with power save mode turned off. I think the last Access Online update just messed things up so even turning those off (like I did the first time I got the machine to fix problems) didn't work after the update. No prob, XP Wireless control seems to be working well. But I have a question:

1) Does Access Online have any control over giving you a better signal than XP wireless control? I notice in the same area of the apartment Access Online would always say 98% strength where as I only get Very Good with XP. (In the beginning, I even used to get low on the XP wireless but not anymore for some strange reason, or at least it will upgrade to very good fairly quickly). Is it just different rating systems on the same signal on the wireless?

2) There is a high pitched hum I don't remember from when I got the machine and Access was working things, it is coming from the wireless I know for sure ( can turn the radio off and the noise goes away). It isn't there always, only sometimes, like when I plug or unplug the battery, or sometimes regardless of whether the system is booted from battery alone, strange but a little annoying (yes I have hearing a like a dog, no jokes please.

Thanks in advance,
S