Wireless G netbook and N router - compatible?

Hi - I just purchased the new Gateway netbook that is reviewed and discussed elsewhere on this site. I think it's just terrific, but I'm having trouble maintaining a network connect. The specs say it's a G wireless and my router is a Linksys N - which works fine with my 2-year-old Compaq Presario laptop.

So....do I need a different router for the Gateway, or some type of modification to the router, or is it just that netbooks are inherently less sensitive to signals from the router?
Appreciate any advice.
thanks
richard

 

you have to make sure that the router broadcasts in mixed mode (G/N), and that your netbook supports the encryption you set(probably WPA2 or WPA or WEP... your new netbook should support thta)

 

To the OP, when you say having trouble maintaining....does that mean you can connect but not for long, or you can't connect at all?

And to add to what paper_wastage was saying...maybe you should also make sure the encryption pass key you enter is correct; that's if you're using WEP or WPA encryption in the first place of course. And also if DHCP (the automatic handing out of IP Addresses) is enabled on the Router then the Netbook should be set to Obtain an IP Address automatically as well.

 

Actually, for some reason, it seems to improved over the three days I have had it, but still not as strong as my compaq laptop - though about the same as my wife's MacBook. One possible problem - it always detects some secured network that must be near my house and though it doesn't connect, it may be interfering with my home network. However, I can't figure out in Vista how to block that network or lower it in priority of automatic connection. When I go to "manage networks" the only one that shows up is my own network. Is there some way to get rid of this other network so I can see if that's the problem?

many thanks for your thoughts
richard

 

AFAIK you can't prevent the Wireless Adapter in your Computer to not display Wireless Networks closeby; what you can do though is prevent the OS (Vista in this case) from "automatically" connecting to them.

I am not sure how you do this in Vista but in 7 you right click on the Wireless Network in the list, select Properties; and under the Connection tab, take out the check to Automatically connect....