The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Help...Gigabyte Aircruiser N300-RT2860

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by raston, May 5, 2009.

  1. raston

    raston Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    45
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Hi folks... I need some help or clarification. I have replaced the Intel 5100 in my Gateway p-7801u notebook with the Gigabyte Aircruiser n300 (RALink RT2860 based card). Installed the drivers fron the RALink site. Also installed a 3rd antena.

    In my home I have a Dlink DIR-628 WirelessN Router. Set it to 'Mixed G & N only'. Also, using WEP 128-bit encryption only. Running on 2.4Ghz band, with channel width set to 20-40 Auto, and Auto-Channel Scan enabled.

    Here's my problem (or just lack of understanding)...
    According to the 'RaUI' control panel I seem to be getting a good signal. The 2 original antena's stay in the 90-100% range and the new antena bounces around but generally sits in the 50 -60% range (I didn't want to disassemble the LCD so it is placed under the bezel above the keyboard which is shielded). Overall link quality stays at 96-100%.

    However, the tansmit 'link status' usually sits at 270 Mbps, but the receive 'link status' bounces around from 24 - 54 Mbps and never goes above 54.

    Also, according tot he Router's Wireless status screen, my wireless mode is 802.11G, Rate is 130 Mbps, Signal strength fluctuates between 68-76%.

    I've seen screen capture in the many posts I've searched through showing receive status up in the 100's so I assume it's possible.

    My questions is, how can I get the receive status up... what have I missed or not configure properly?

    Your help would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. wlan_man

    wlan_man Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    122
    Messages:
    196
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Simple answer, you want speed USE WPA(2) and AES
    WEP is ancient and only a slight improvement over no security at all :)

    I have the same card as you and get great results from it (see my WLAN speed posts down lower)
     
  3. raston

    raston Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    45
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thanks for the info. I actually bought this card based on your posts / recommendations.

    I'm not at home right now, so I can't confirm this, but I think some of my older machines do not have support for WPA2 and/or AES. (Hope I'm wrong).

    If that's case, then I suspect that enabling these features on the router will shut these older machines out.

    Is that correct?
     
  4. wlan_man

    wlan_man Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    122
    Messages:
    196
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The device will not be able to log in to the router if it can't do WPA AES

    If you have devices that use WEP, it is really time to get in to the 90's and upgrade.

    Also check for firmware updates that is often all it takes to update a device.
     
  5. raston

    raston Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    45
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Wlan... thanks for the info. Made the changes and it worked.