HP-G60/ Linksys G-Router compatiablity

Hi, I purchased a Linksys E2000 G-Router and am unable to connect it to my G60 Laptop. I believe that their is a compatibility problem between the internal Atheros Wireless Adapter and the Linksys E2000 Router but am not sure and would appreciate any help that I can get since I can only connect via cable and note wirelessly.
Thank you for your help,
Bob

I think it might be helpful if I add that the G60 OS is W7-64bit and it has 4G of RAM

 

Is the G60 seeing the AP in the router? SSID
Do you get an error when you try to connect?
What kind of security are you running on the wireless, WPA2 AES (personal).
Is you personal FW blocking the connection.

 

Thank you for your reply Blue, to respond to your question:

Is the G60 seeing the AP in the router? SSID
Yes and no, its' very intermittent, it will "see it" for a minute and I can get on line then it will drop the connection and the icon in the SysTray will just go into a loop and half the time, the Linksys Router doesn't appear as available Networks (although my neighors Routers, that are 10 times further away, show up)


Do you get an error when you try to connect?
Can not find Network and when I open Network Connections or Troubleshot, they go through their routine and nothing happens (i.e. can not connect or can not find error)


What kind of security are you running on the wireless, WPA2 AES (personal).
Yes

Is you personal FW blocking the connection.
No it's not

BTW, I did a little searching and it appears that their is a conflict between Atheros and Linksys G-Routers so I am not sure what to do since Linksys points a finger at Atheros and HP is not offering any help.

Thanks again for your help,
Bob

 

Is the SSID being broadcasted in the Clear (Not hidden).

Several years ago I ran into a mfg conflict of one not liking the other. It was doing similar to what yours is so Yes it could be a problem. But I have not seen that lately.

 

Is the SSID being broadcasted in the Clear (Not hidden).

Yes and no, it appears sometimes and disappears other time.
I am returning it to Linksys who advised me that their is a know problem between Linksys and the Atheros Adapter.
You would assume that they or Atheros would fix it but what do I know, I am only an end user who would hope that manufactured cared.
Anyway, I'll do a little reason before I make another purchase and probably start a new thread, since I've read several similar "war stories", to see what other people bought with this type of configuration.
I appreciate all your help Blue.
Bob

 

What's the exact model of the Atheros?

EDIT: What blue68f100 meant by hidden was- is SSID broadcast set to Enabled on Wireless/Basic Wireless Settings page of the router setup.

 

Hi NBR, thanks for the clarification.
It's too late to check on the SSID, I sent the Linksys E2000 back to Cisco.
And as for the Atheros question, I don't know and don't know how to check it on the HP G50T-500 Laptop, what I am able to check is the driver (if the driver is model number), then it's AR9285, if not, than I will gladly provide it if you advise where/how to look for it?
Thanks,
Bob

 

So you've gotten rid of the wrong part of the equation.
AR9285 is a constant source of problems especially if connected to a 802.11n network. Since replacement cards of good quality like Intel 5300 or 6200 are cheap I'd recommend you make such a purchase and keep the Atheros in the drawer for warranty purposes.
Note: I don't remember if HP cards are still whilelisted or not-something to check before making a purchase.
If you want a cheap laugh- do a google search on AR9280, 9205 or 928x- you'll see what I'm talking about- Linksys router was not to blame.

 

Thanks for the tutorial NBR, the problem (at least for me), is that the Atheros is an internal component in the HP Laptop and I have replaced several components in Desktops (RAM, HDD, I/O Cards,....) but have never opened a Laptop and this is my wife's system and she usually doesn't let me near it (from past experiences).
Is the internal wireless adapter easy to replace?
BTW, I thought that the Linksys was an excellent product but since it wouldn't work with the HP Laptop and my wife didn't want (another thing) an external wireless adapter card, I sent it.
Bob

 

It's very easy to replace Wi-Fi card. It's has a separate hatch or is under general hatch with HDD (can't find any pictures of the bottom of G60).
So you remove the hatch, remove another screw that holds the card take disconnect the antennas and install the new one.
It takes up to 10-15 minutes if you are really slow.
One thing that I mentioned earlier- I'm not sure if HP requires HP white listed cards or not. Anyone else able to confirm?

 

Hey NBR, thank you again for all your help and education, I found this on the HP Website for the G60T-500 (see below), does give us a clue or doesn't mean anything / doesn't help, with the white list question?
Thanks,
Bob

Wireless Interface [Electronic Parts]
480985-001 In stock
802.11a/b/g/n WLAN mini card (Intel) - For use in Most of World (MOW)
RoHS: Modified

518436-001 In stock
802.11B/G/N WLAN HF minicard (Medoc) - Most of World implementation
RoHS: Modified

518437-001 In stock
802.11A/B/G/N WLAN HF minicard (MD2020) - Most of World implementation
RoHS: Modified

537921-001 In stock
Bluetooth SB module
RoHS: Modified

572520-001 In stock
802.11A/B/G/N WLAN Intel HMC minicard
RoHS: Modified

 

I did a quick search and judging by the posts HP BIOS still uses whitelists.
This means that you can buy a Wi-Fi card only from HP or meant for HP (which is the same thing).
I'd recommend an Intel 5300 or 6200 wireless card.
You need to know if your notebook uses half-height or full-height mini-PCI Express Wi-Fi (the difference is easy to spot when you open the hatch).
The you just buy a proper card either from HP on eBay if it's listed as HP card.

 

Part number 518436-001 is used in the product models listed below.
Select a model number to view a product diagram with your part.



HP G60t-500 CTO Notebook PC VD895AV, VD896AV

Thanks NBR, it appears that we POSTed simultaneously, is their any that I added change things or Intel 5300 or 6200 they way to go after I determine if it's a half or full length card?
Bob

 

Sorry for the double POST NBR, I restarted my computer and the message apparently was sent erroneously.
I have another question if you don't mind, would you recommend that I get an External Adapter or Replace the Internal (Atheros) adapter?
My objective is to get the best "range" that I can since there will be about a 100 feet between the Router and HP G60T-500 Laptop.
As I mentioned earlier, I returned an Linksys E2000 Router and unless you have a better suggestion/recommendation, I will plan on purchasing the Linksys E3000 (next model up) and if you have a recommendation for an
External Adapter, that would be optimized with the E3000 (to provide me with the best range), that would be appreciated as well.
Thank you again for ALL your help NBR,
Bob

 

Internal adapters are usually better and more convenient than external ones.
Linksys E3000 is a very good router, 100 feet is quite a distance though.

 

We have a ranch style house so everything is on one level and the 2 rooms (where the computers are), are basically at either end of the house but if I am unable to obtain a signal, I believe that I can use an extender (I have a Hawkings) since the Linksys E3000 is able to broadcast at both 2.4 and 5.0.
Thanks,
Bob

 

Hey NBR, (hopefully) one LAST question. I previously indicated that I am planning to purchase a Linksys E3000 Router and looked at some of the reviews and they were very disappointing (roughly 3+ out 5).

The criteria that I have for a Router is that it should be:

* relatively stable (doesn't drop everyday and I need to restart/reset it to get going again)
* has good range (I need the signal to be picked-up at a location about a 100 feet from the "base" so range is VERY important (I assume that range depends on number of antennas in the Router)
* relatively easy to set-up

Any recommendations that you can offer would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bob

Thank you again for ALL your help,

Bob

 

Smallnetbulder has a pre-set test scene with six locations. You would be interested in how the router performs in location F- which is the most distant one.
The best router for 2.4GHz (40MHz channel) band when it comes to range and usable speed is the new (and hellishly expensive) Linksys E4200 that have managed 20mbps in that location followed by Netgear WNDR3700v2 (13.7mbps) and a tie between WNDR3700 and E3000 (5-6mbps)

If the channel is set to 20MHz E4200 gives you 14.7mbps while the rest manages only up to 7mbps.

WNDR3700v2 is taking place of WNDR3700 in the retail chain but at this point you are more likely to stumble across WNDR3700 which is slower in 2.4GHz band.
Linksys E3000 is not very good when it comes to range.

Linksys E4200 is the best here but it's also very expensive ($180)
You can also buy a WNDR3700 and a repeater which will probably cost you the same.
I’m sorry- seems like this posts gives you more questions than answers.

 

As always, I appreciate your help and thank you for Smallnetbulder, I'll chBeck their Website.
Bob

 

Hey NBR, I installed the Linksys E3000 Router and have the proverbial "Good News and Bad News". The good news is that the Atheros Adapter appears to be working, the bad news is that I am unable to connect (wirelessly) from the location that I would like to connect from.
A very rough guess is that the 2 locations are about150 feet apart but that's guesstimating distance inside the house (how I would get from point A to point B) but it probably is much less because the signal goes through walls, windows,... so the actual distance is probably much less.
I moved the Laptop to a point about 2/3 the way to the desired location (guesstimating that it is about 100 feet from the Router) and I am able to connect just fine with (to my surprise) 5 bars but when I move the Laptop to the desired location (my guesstimate is another 50 feet for a total distance of 150 feet), I am unable to connect.
I did numerous Network "Troubleshooting Problems" but it was unable to come up with anything and the only thing that was a little surprising is that when I opened Network Adapters, the Atheros was there as well as a MS Virtual miniport Adapter (I have no idea what it is nor if it is needed)?
So I am able to connect wirelessly, at least for now, but I am unable to connect from the location where I would like to connect from.
Bob

 

Use inSSIDer to measure the quality and strength of the signal.
You can try to tweak your way out of it but 150feet is a lot so it may not help.
Place the laptop wherever you want it to be and move the router- sometimes it's as easy as placing it higher or moving it a bit (there may be steel beams or pipes directly in the way, or it may be affected by some kind of interference).
If this doesn't help you may flash your router with DD-WRT and increase the transmit power although contrary to popular opinion that doesn't help much or at all.
Third solution that (may require DD-WRT too) is to buy a cheap router that also supports DD-WRT (older version of WRT54G or WRT54GL) and set it up as repeater somewhere half way between E3000 and your laptop.
It will work as a transmitter- pick up signal from E3000 and kind of forward it to your router. This cuts throughput in half and I'm not sure if you can use WPA2 with WDS but it do the trick.

 

Thanks NBR, technology is amazing, I had no problems connecting between the same 2 locations until I decided to change Routers (I forgot what Router I had "back then" since I have try a half dozen or so in the past few months), some worked for awhile, some never did.
Now I have (supposedly) one of the newest and most sophisticated Routers (Linksys E3000) and can't get where I was with "inferior" equipment.
OK, I'll stop in' and moanin', and ask you which system should I install inSSIDer, the Desktop that is Ethernet connected or the Laptop that is wireless?
Thanks NBR,
Bob

 

The laptop- inSSIDer is meant to survey wireless network signals.
It's pretty self-explanatory- you'll understand how it works as soon as you launch it.

 

It's pretty self-explanatory- you'll understand how it works as soon as you launch it
You forgot who you are dealing wth NBR, it may be intuitive for some people but gobblygook to me.
T the "central" location (about 2/3 of the distance from where I want to connect from, the RSSI ranged between 47-49 and the speed was 144n. At the location where I would like to connect from the RSSI fluctuated between 72-73 with 144n speed.
What does this tell me and is their a chance of connecting when RSSI is 73?
Thanks,
Bob

 

I've got an update NBR, and it's good news.
I set-up the Hawking 300N Repeater at the "2/3 location" and was able to connect to the Laptop and checked the RSSI reading and it was 62.
Is 62 enough to provide a stable wireless connection or should I still be looking at other options )an External Adapter or "switching" out the Atheros Adapter)?
Thank you for ALL your help NBR,
Bob

 

62 is good enough- it should be stable.

 

57 is even better.
I am moving the Hawking Extender around and found a location where the signal is 57.
What is an average number / average range, that I should strive for NBR assuming that their is such a number.
So far so good which is not what I was reporting a few days ago.
Bob

 

Close to -50 is OK if you go near -40 (which is probably impossible in your case) it's great- anything between -50 and -60 is good.
You can probably leave it as it is- it should guarantee good speed and stability.

 

Thanks NBR,
Bob