wireless signal strength

I installed Ultimate on my Dell Inspiron 9400 (Intel 3945 wireless), and noticed
the signal strength only shows 3 of 5 bars despite my laptop sitting less than
three feet from my WAP. Speed is good, but I'm wondering if anyone else has
experienced a similar issue. This wasn't the case with XP Pro, and I don't think
it was with Beta 2/RC1/RC2, but I can't be sure. I realize it's likely a driver
issue (the latest Vista driver from Dell), but it seems odd.

Doug

The function that maps numeric signal strenght value to graphic bars
is different in XP and Vista (and it changed from beta to RTM)
so there is no reason to worry, if everything else works.

--PA

"dr. t" <eugnotrotcod@gmail.com> wrote in message news:%JmCh.1048866$5R2.417754@pd7urf3no...
>I installed Ultimate on my Dell Inspiron 9400 (Intel 3945 wireless), and noticed the signal strength only shows 3 of 5 bars
>despite my laptop sitting less than three feet from my WAP. Speed is good, but I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced a
>similar issue. This wasn't the case with XP Pro, and I don't think it was with Beta 2/RC1/RC2, but I can't be sure. I realize
>it's likely a driver issue (the latest Vista driver from Dell), but it seems odd.
>
> Doug

I have the same thing on my Dell E1405 with Intel 3945ABG. Using the
wifi gadget, it never goes above 60% signal strength, and never above
"good" with 3 bars. I've also found this to be weird considering the
fact i'm 7 feet from my router with a direct line of sight. I'm using
the latest firmware for my router, and drivers for laptop, i haven't
figured it out...


--
Sucka

"dr. t" wrote:

> I installed Ultimate on my Dell Inspiron 9400 (Intel 3945 wireless), and noticed
> the signal strength only shows 3 of 5 bars despite my laptop sitting less than
> three feet from my WAP. Speed is good, but I'm wondering if anyone else has
> experienced a similar issue. This wasn't the case with XP Pro, and I don't think
> it was with Beta 2/RC1/RC2, but I can't be sure. I realize it's likely a driver
> issue (the latest Vista driver from Dell), but it seems odd.
>
> Doug
>
>

Sorry about the previous post I'm new to this forum.

Anyways here is what I have experienced and found so far I have a Dell
Inspiron 640m and a HP Pavilion dv9000 both running Vista and both using
Intel Pro/Wireless 3945abg mini-card's. I too am getting a max signal
strength of 60% and have searched endlessly for a solution but yet to find
one. I think I have narrowed it down to a driver issue for either the
mini-card wan port or the mini-card, most likely the port because I have also
tried another manufacturer's mini-card with no luck.

Now the reason why I think this is the issue is because my brother is also
running Vista on a gateway tablet PC and gets 100% plus a number of other
friends get that result too. After investigating a bit they all use an Intel
Pro/Wireless mini PCI card not to be confused with the mini-card I have.
Also I do have another friend that just got an ASUS laptop with the same
mini-card that I have and also gets 60% signal.

So I guess I now have two choices:
1: Live with it until Microsoft, Intel or whoever is responsible comes up
with a solution.
2: Spend some money and attempt to resolve it with a USB wireless device.
I'm curious to see if this one works I pretty confident it will.

So if anyone can find a solution for this one I would be very grateful
because I really don't want to use an external device.

Regards,
Kato

Hi,
I too get the same signal strenght problem on my Vaio laptop. I am running
Visa Ultimate with the Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG wireless card. I noticed
there was a software update on the sony support website specifically for the
wireless features (not sure if it actually updated the drivers) and i
installed it. It didnt solve my problem.
I read something about the power saving features in Vista that could affect
the wireless card's behavior.
but i m also still stuck at 60%..

"Kato" wrote:

> Sorry about the previous post I'm new to this forum.
>
> Anyways here is what I have experienced and found so far I have a Dell
> Inspiron 640m and a HP Pavilion dv9000 both running Vista and both using
> Intel Pro/Wireless 3945abg mini-card's. I too am getting a max signal
> strength of 60% and have searched endlessly for a solution but yet to find
> one. I think I have narrowed it down to a driver issue for either the
> mini-card wan port or the mini-card, most likely the port because I have also
> tried another manufacturer's mini-card with no luck.
>
> Now the reason why I think this is the issue is because my brother is also
> running Vista on a gateway tablet PC and gets 100% plus a number of other
> friends get that result too. After investigating a bit they all use an Intel
> Pro/Wireless mini PCI card not to be confused with the mini-card I have.
> Also I do have another friend that just got an ASUS laptop with the same
> mini-card that I have and also gets 60% signal.
>
> So I guess I now have two choices:
> 1: Live with it until Microsoft, Intel or whoever is responsible comes up
> with a solution.
> 2: Spend some money and attempt to resolve it with a USB wireless device.
> I'm curious to see if this one works I pretty confident it will.
>
> So if anyone can find a solution for this one I would be very grateful
> because I really don't want to use an external device.
>
> Regards,
> Kato

I have a D-Link wireless card and not only does the Vista driver not
have SuperG but the connection I get is only fair. The machine is
just across the room and when I have Windows XP PRO the connection was
always excellent.

Al


On Thu, 8 Mar 2007 12:34:48 -0800, Amir Javasoul <Amir
Javasoul@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Hi,
>I too get the same signal strenght problem on my Vaio laptop. I am running
>Visa Ultimate with the Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG wireless card. I noticed
>there was a software update on the sony support website specifically for the
>wireless features (not sure if it actually updated the drivers) and i
>installed it. It didnt solve my problem.
>I read something about the power saving features in Vista that could affect
>the wireless card's behavior.
>but i m also still stuck at 60%..
>
>"Kato" wrote:
>
>> Sorry about the previous post I'm new to this forum.
>>
>> Anyways here is what I have experienced and found so far I have a Dell
>> Inspiron 640m and a HP Pavilion dv9000 both running Vista and both using
>> Intel Pro/Wireless 3945abg mini-card's. I too am getting a max signal
>> strength of 60% and have searched endlessly for a solution but yet to find
>> one. I think I have narrowed it down to a driver issue for either the
>> mini-card wan port or the mini-card, most likely the port because I have also
>> tried another manufacturer's mini-card with no luck.
>>
>> Now the reason why I think this is the issue is because my brother is also
>> running Vista on a gateway tablet PC and gets 100% plus a number of other
>> friends get that result too. After investigating a bit they all use an Intel
>> Pro/Wireless mini PCI card not to be confused with the mini-card I have.
>> Also I do have another friend that just got an ASUS laptop with the same
>> mini-card that I have and also gets 60% signal.
>>
>> So I guess I now have two choices:
>> 1: Live with it until Microsoft, Intel or whoever is responsible comes up
>> with a solution.
>> 2: Spend some money and attempt to resolve it with a USB wireless device.
>> I'm curious to see if this one works I pretty confident it will.
>>
>> So if anyone can find a solution for this one I would be very grateful
>> because I really don't want to use an external device.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Kato

I day or so ago Windows updated the driver for the DLink wireless
card; I get an excellent connection now but still no SuperG mode.

Also still no Vista driver for their GBit lan card.

Al



On Wed, 21 Mar 2007 07:53:58 -0700, Alfred Kaufmann
<al_kaufmann@hotmail.com> wrote:

>I have a D-Link wireless card and not only does the Vista driver not
>have SuperG but the connection I get is only fair. The machine is
>just across the room and when I have Windows XP PRO the connection was
>always excellent.
>
>Al
>
>
>On Thu, 8 Mar 2007 12:34:48 -0800, Amir Javasoul <Amir
>Javasoul@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
>>Hi,
>>I too get the same signal strenght problem on my Vaio laptop. I am running
>>Visa Ultimate with the Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG wireless card. I noticed
>>there was a software update on the sony support website specifically for the
>>wireless features (not sure if it actually updated the drivers) and i
>>installed it. It didnt solve my problem.
>>I read something about the power saving features in Vista that could affect
>>the wireless card's behavior.
>>but i m also still stuck at 60%..
>>
>>"Kato" wrote:
>>
>>> Sorry about the previous post I'm new to this forum.
>>>
>>> Anyways here is what I have experienced and found so far I have a Dell
>>> Inspiron 640m and a HP Pavilion dv9000 both running Vista and both using
>>> Intel Pro/Wireless 3945abg mini-card's. I too am getting a max signal
>>> strength of 60% and have searched endlessly for a solution but yet to find
>>> one. I think I have narrowed it down to a driver issue for either the
>>> mini-card wan port or the mini-card, most likely the port because I have also
>>> tried another manufacturer's mini-card with no luck.
>>>
>>> Now the reason why I think this is the issue is because my brother is also
>>> running Vista on a gateway tablet PC and gets 100% plus a number of other
>>> friends get that result too. After investigating a bit they all use an Intel
>>> Pro/Wireless mini PCI card not to be confused with the mini-card I have.
>>> Also I do have another friend that just got an ASUS laptop with the same
>>> mini-card that I have and also gets 60% signal.
>>>
>>> So I guess I now have two choices:
>>> 1: Live with it until Microsoft, Intel or whoever is responsible comes up
>>> with a solution.
>>> 2: Spend some money and attempt to resolve it with a USB wireless device.
>>> I'm curious to see if this one works I pretty confident it will.
>>>
>>> So if anyone can find a solution for this one I would be very grateful
>>> because I really don't want to use an external device.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Kato

I guess I'm having the same problem too. I have a PC and a laptopn at home.
One running on VIsta and the other XP, both on the same desk but showing
'good' for Vista and 'excellent' for XP. I don't understand why. I tried
every solution found on the internet and nothing works. I'm using LInksys
WCG200 Cable Gateway, tried resolving the issue with Microsoft and HP here in
SIngapore, and none can come up with any solution. Suprisingly, they don't
even know of this issue at all! AFter much research on the internet, I found
many users having the same problem. I raised it up to them and they will look
into it. Till today I'm still waiting for thier phonecall. In the meantime, I
just have to sit and live with this slow connectivity which is driving me
crazy. I wouldn't have upgraded if this issue was made known to me....

"Alfred Kaufmann" wrote:

> I day or so ago Windows updated the driver for the DLink wireless
> card; I get an excellent connection now but still no SuperG mode.
>
> Also still no Vista driver for their GBit lan card.
>
> Al
>
>
>
> On Wed, 21 Mar 2007 07:53:58 -0700, Alfred Kaufmann
> <al_kaufmann@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >I have a D-Link wireless card and not only does the Vista driver not
> >have SuperG but the connection I get is only fair. The machine is
> >just across the room and when I have Windows XP PRO the connection was
> >always excellent.
> >
> >Al
> >
> >
> >On Thu, 8 Mar 2007 12:34:48 -0800, Amir Javasoul <Amir
> >Javasoul@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> >
> >>Hi,
> >>I too get the same signal strenght problem on my Vaio laptop. I am running
> >>Visa Ultimate with the Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG wireless card. I noticed
> >>there was a software update on the sony support website specifically for the
> >>wireless features (not sure if it actually updated the drivers) and i
> >>installed it. It didnt solve my problem.
> >>I read something about the power saving features in Vista that could affect
> >>the wireless card's behavior.
> >>but i m also still stuck at 60%..
> >>
> >>"Kato" wrote:
> >>
> >>> Sorry about the previous post I'm new to this forum.
> >>>
> >>> Anyways here is what I have experienced and found so far I have a Dell
> >>> Inspiron 640m and a HP Pavilion dv9000 both running Vista and both using
> >>> Intel Pro/Wireless 3945abg mini-card's. I too am getting a max signal
> >>> strength of 60% and have searched endlessly for a solution but yet to find
> >>> one. I think I have narrowed it down to a driver issue for either the
> >>> mini-card wan port or the mini-card, most likely the port because I have also
> >>> tried another manufacturer's mini-card with no luck.
> >>>
> >>> Now the reason why I think this is the issue is because my brother is also
> >>> running Vista on a gateway tablet PC and gets 100% plus a number of other
> >>> friends get that result too. After investigating a bit they all use an Intel
> >>> Pro/Wireless mini PCI card not to be confused with the mini-card I have.
> >>> Also I do have another friend that just got an ASUS laptop with the same
> >>> mini-card that I have and also gets 60% signal.
> >>>
> >>> So I guess I now have two choices:
> >>> 1: Live with it until Microsoft, Intel or whoever is responsible comes up
> >>> with a solution.
> >>> 2: Spend some money and attempt to resolve it with a USB wireless device.
> >>> I'm curious to see if this one works I pretty confident it will.
> >>>
> >>> So if anyone can find a solution for this one I would be very grateful
> >>> because I really don't want to use an external device.
> >>>
> >>> Regards,
> >>> Kato
>

I have found the solution by MYSELF and had it posted. Let me know if it works.

"Az" wrote:

> I guess I'm having the same problem too. I have a PC and a laptopn at home.
> One running on VIsta and the other XP, both on the same desk but showing
> 'good' for Vista and 'excellent' for XP. I don't understand why. I tried
> every solution found on the internet and nothing works. I'm using LInksys
> WCG200 Cable Gateway, tried resolving the issue with Microsoft and HP here in
> SIngapore, and none can come up with any solution. Suprisingly, they don't
> even know of this issue at all! AFter much research on the internet, I found
> many users having the same problem. I raised it up to them and they will look
> into it. Till today I'm still waiting for thier phonecall. In the meantime, I
> just have to sit and live with this slow connectivity which is driving me
> crazy. I wouldn't have upgraded if this issue was made known to me....
>
> "Alfred Kaufmann" wrote:
>
> > I day or so ago Windows updated the driver for the DLink wireless
> > card; I get an excellent connection now but still no SuperG mode.
> >
> > Also still no Vista driver for their GBit lan card.
> >
> > Al
> >
> >
> >
> > On Wed, 21 Mar 2007 07:53:58 -0700, Alfred Kaufmann
> > <al_kaufmann@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > >I have a D-Link wireless card and not only does the Vista driver not
> > >have SuperG but the connection I get is only fair. The machine is
> > >just across the room and when I have Windows XP PRO the connection was
> > >always excellent.
> > >
> > >Al
> > >
> > >
> > >On Thu, 8 Mar 2007 12:34:48 -0800, Amir Javasoul <Amir
> > >Javasoul@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > >
> > >>Hi,
> > >>I too get the same signal strenght problem on my Vaio laptop. I am running
> > >>Visa Ultimate with the Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG wireless card. I noticed
> > >>there was a software update on the sony support website specifically for the
> > >>wireless features (not sure if it actually updated the drivers) and i
> > >>installed it. It didnt solve my problem.
> > >>I read something about the power saving features in Vista that could affect
> > >>the wireless card's behavior.
> > >>but i m also still stuck at 60%..
> > >>
> > >>"Kato" wrote:
> > >>
> > >>> Sorry about the previous post I'm new to this forum.
> > >>>
> > >>> Anyways here is what I have experienced and found so far I have a Dell
> > >>> Inspiron 640m and a HP Pavilion dv9000 both running Vista and both using
> > >>> Intel Pro/Wireless 3945abg mini-card's. I too am getting a max signal
> > >>> strength of 60% and have searched endlessly for a solution but yet to find
> > >>> one. I think I have narrowed it down to a driver issue for either the
> > >>> mini-card wan port or the mini-card, most likely the port because I have also
> > >>> tried another manufacturer's mini-card with no luck.
> > >>>
> > >>> Now the reason why I think this is the issue is because my brother is also
> > >>> running Vista on a gateway tablet PC and gets 100% plus a number of other
> > >>> friends get that result too. After investigating a bit they all use an Intel
> > >>> Pro/Wireless mini PCI card not to be confused with the mini-card I have.
> > >>> Also I do have another friend that just got an ASUS laptop with the same
> > >>> mini-card that I have and also gets 60% signal.
> > >>>
> > >>> So I guess I now have two choices:
> > >>> 1: Live with it until Microsoft, Intel or whoever is responsible comes up
> > >>> with a solution.
> > >>> 2: Spend some money and attempt to resolve it with a USB wireless device.
> > >>> I'm curious to see if this one works I pretty confident it will.
> > >>>
> > >>> So if anyone can find a solution for this one I would be very grateful
> > >>> because I really don't want to use an external device.
> > >>>
> > >>> Regards,
> > >>> Kato
> >