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.

    Wireless Lan not working within the defined range

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by prateek78, Sep 11, 2007.

  1. prateek78

    prateek78 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi I have a Sony VGNFS-742/W.

    The Wireless LAN was working fine for the first year but suddenly the range of the Wireless LAN is reduced to 5-8 meters. I have tried re-installing all the drivers and also tried the complete recovery of the system but nothing seems to be working.

    Please suggest what can make the wireless Lan function with normal range. The wireless adapter used is Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Adapter
     
  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    4,982
    Messages:
    34,001
    Likes Received:
    1,415
    Trophy Points:
    581
    You updated the firmware?
     
  3. Eleison

    Eleison Thanatos Eleison

    Reputations:
    1,677
    Messages:
    1,462
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Another thing to check is this: did you reinstall drivers from your CD and/or Sony's website, or did you use the latest driver from Intel? When it comes to Intel PRO/Wireless drivers, always use the driver from Intel. You can get the latest 2200BG driver at:
    http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=1637

    Have you added anything to your home that might be causing wireless interference? Any electrical wiring changes?
     
  4. prateek78

    prateek78 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    yes, I have tried for all drivers and firmware updates available on sony support
     
  5. prateek78

    prateek78 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I tried installing all drivers from the intel site.. thats also not working..
     
  6. Reezin14

    Reezin14 Crimson Mantle Commander

    Reputations:
    365
    Messages:
    934
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Have you checked for interferences in the 2.4Ghz range phones/microwave etc..?
     
  7. prateek78

    prateek78 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    All the other laptops are working fine within my house.. and my system doesnt work with any other router as well.. so it seems that definitely there is an issue with the wireless set in this notebook
     
  8. Eleison

    Eleison Thanatos Eleison

    Reputations:
    1,677
    Messages:
    1,462
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    If everything else is working OK, you are likely having a problem with either the wireless card itself (hopefully) or the notebook's antenna wire (hope that's not it). Do any of your other laptops use an Intel 2200 card? If so, you might try swapping cards between notebooks to see if your Sony's connection improves (and, conversely, to see if the other laptop's signal goes through the floor). If it does, you'll probably need to buy a replacement card. If it doesn't...well...might I recommend a good PCMCIA wireless card?
     
  9. prateek78

    prateek78 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I cannot swap the wireless card's as the other laptops are company owned.. can you suggest some way to check the notebook antenna wire.
     
  10. Eleison

    Eleison Thanatos Eleison

    Reputations:
    1,677
    Messages:
    1,462
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    There really isn't an easy way to check the antenna, as far as I know, unless you like getting into the guts of your notebook. Generally, a faulty antenna is cause for RMA, since the antenna is usually (but not always) run around the LCD casing (e.g., disassembling to the point that you could check the entire antenna wire would involve dismantling your LCD, most likely, which would risk damaging other components). That's why I suggested tracking down a good PCMCIA wireless card if swapping wireless cards didn't improve your signal.
     
  11. prateek78

    prateek78 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thanks for the information..can u suggust some good PCMCIA wireless and will this not use the same antenna?
     
  12. Eleison

    Eleison Thanatos Eleison

    Reputations:
    1,677
    Messages:
    1,462
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    PCMCIA wireless uses an antenna/transmitter coiled or hooked into the chunk of the card that sticks out of the notebook. Linksys, though I hate their routers, makes some very good PCMCIA wireless cards, as does Netgear.