Bult in Wireless - short range?

HLK

I recently added a Fujitsu Amilo A 1630 34 to my wireless network. It carries built in wireless 802.11g at 54mbps.
This replaces a previous laptop (now stolen!) which used a PCMCIA card (NETGEAR 108mbps)

I'm using a NETGEAR 108mbps cable router running Auto 108mbps(mixed mode).

I could take the old PC just about anywhere in the house, although admittedly the signal did drop signifcantly upstairs.

I can only get a signal within 3 metres of the router on the new PC - rendering it less than moble for my purposes.

Can anyone tell me if that's to be expected and I've been spoiled by the previous 108mbps card. ( I still have the card but it seemed silly to install this on a PC that has built-in wireless) ?

Or am I missing something obvious?

TIA !

onzey

Doesn't sound right (but I'm no expert)

Is there some setting in the router which needs to be changed perhaps when you are not using all 108mbps capable gear? (I don't have 108mbps gear)
Re-read manual perhaps.

Not sure of this, but I think there may be some slight overlap between the different possible channels you can use with wireless networks so I wonder if it's possible the laptop is on a different channel to the router and therefore it receives a signal but it's very poor. Check channel settings on laptop and router.

Check the laptop for configuration settings for the built in wireless adapter. There may be settings to trade of power consumption against adapter performance. (There may be an adapter utility available from control panel perhaps).

Maybe it's just different brands of equipment not working well together.

HLK

The PC is 54mbps & the router can handle both 108 & 54 via the mixed mode setting on the router.
When I manage to drag son #2 away from the laptop (playing Rome total war so could be some time) I'll recheck settings.
Thanks for your input.

ohreally

You may have to live with this! One of my laptops is very poor at picking up the signal which others can pick-up no problem. It sometimes drops off at less than 3 meters from the router, other lappys can get the same signal all around the house.

onzey

"About" increasing range

http://compnetworking.about.com/od/wirelessfaqs/f/wifilaptoprange.htm

HLK

Cheers for the replies ... also looked at this ..http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirelesstips.mspx
but note the comment..
'Laptops with built-in wireless typically have excellent antennas and don't need to have their network adapters upgraded.'.....

Will check all suggestions out before I worry about built-in antenna being faulty.
Thanks again.