Choosing network adapter
 

I get dropped off the internet a lot, and more and more frequently. I'm pretty sure its my network adapter and not the router. In order to reconnect I have to unplug/replug my network adapter. Its a USB adapter for my laptop because for some unfathomable reason my built-in won't connect to the router at the house I now live in. It'll ask for the passkey to the router, and then won't connect, so I use a USB network adapter, but it seems like I need a new one. I don't know much about these TBH, so any advice? What do I need to know when choosing one and what is considered a reliable brand?

Go for a good brand name...I have the best luck with DLink, Linksys or Hawking products. For some reason, there really seems to be a difference with the bigger names over the generics in these devices.

I can just FEEL a tw response coming in
3...
2...
1...

HA! I'm a genius! I fixed my built-in wireless card! My tech savvy roomie couldn't fix it at all, and I just kinda figured, well if he doesn't know....
Then I started looking at it and realized the IBSS was set to 802.11b, but the network adapter I'm using says "802.11g" so I changed that setting to 802.11b/g on my built-in, and now I can connect! Whooooo! I actually don't really know what any of that means, but I feel smart!

hehe

dont'cha love that when that happens :)

Yeah! Just wished it'd happened months ago, I've been using that crappy adapter since September.

fixed that for ya ;)

As usual, you always post cheap shots and not one single useful fact. Wacko extremism is alive and well.

If both the internal NIC and the USB connected NIC do not connect to that router, then why are you accusing everything else - not the router?

First thing - where the network cable connects to router and NIC is (traditionally) a light. What is that light both when connected and when connection is lost. What are those lights showing at both ends.

Same applies to the internal NIC. What does that light (and router light) show when connected to the router.

Router lights are either adjacent to where the ethernet cable connects. Or on the front panel. Disconnect an ethernet wire and the light should extinguish. Connect and the light should illuminate.

Computers at both ends can be completely fried. And still those lights should work if only the ports, wire, and connectors are OK. First thing first. Are the ports, connectors, and wire OK? And are they OK when communication is lost?

Something that happens sometimes is that people fix things without using exactly the means or methods that you would have chosen. Fact.

NB

A network adapter, or any other device for that matter, connected via USB, can have .... difficulty if the default settings for XP for USB ports / laptop are left in place. Specifically, the power settings for USB ports on laptops is usually set to "let the computer(operating system) manage the power settings for this port". This means that the OS can choose to turn off the port to save power. Why and how it comes to this choice is not that important. When you're using the usb port to connect a keyboard and the port starts and stops, who cares, it wakes up again when you press another key. When it is the network card that is connected to a port that's turned off, you have a lot more trouble.

I recommend that you change the power management settings for the USB ports (all of them) to "Do not turn this device off to save power" or ... words to that effect. This can be done in Computer Management -- Device Manager. If you're having trouble finding the place to make this change, send me a message and I'll connect and fix it for you.

If that was a problem, the lights (as described earlier) would indicate that had happened. Better is to first know what is and what has failed before changing anything.

What was posted more suggests a router, connector, wire, other other defect. Even the internal ethernet port (that apparently works elsewhere) and that USB adapter - both are having problems only with that router?

What is your problem? This wasn't a cheapshot at all. Simply reading the first post led to your exact post about the problem and asking for "facts". Stop being so overtly sensitive.

Bwaaaahaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Well you did predict correctly, although it was really more like stating the obvious, but you detracted from the drama of the white horse, cape, and multimeter, riding to the rescue. Oh, and you forgot the fucking expletives.;)