Stupid Wireless!

[Scootymad]

Argh. My laptop doesnt have built in wireless and i had a USB wireless dapter and it broke! So my missus dad gave me a Newlink Cardbus wireless adapter and it is nothing but trouble!! Im about 6 meters from my router and it says Signal: Very Low!!

Argh!!

[Rant/]

Any suggestions on what to do??



Also, any suggestions on what security software i should get as i have an old Norton but want something better.

Glenn

[Shrdlu]

eww, i used to have norton, and i hated it!

I've got McAfee security centre now, and it's far better..

[Steve Saunders]

Go buy a new wireless USB then mate... :p

My laptop has wireless built in, so im sorted.. Lol..

I was using Norton anti-virus, as it came with my laptop, but was not very impressive... Slowed the computer down quite alot.. Im now using NOD32 & well pleased with it... :)

[Fuzzy Orange]

Dont use norton - even

It just wrecks your pc

You dont need security software at all - its pointless
If you are behind a firewall'd router (and 99% are) then all you really need is a virus checker

For that I recommend Nod32 from Eset

[Fuzzy Orange]

LOL nice timing Steve!!!

[Luke]

Buy a laptop with built in wireless.

[mikey_b]

nod32 or avast!

[Steve Saunders]

LOL nice timing Steve!!!

Haha.. Got in there first mate.. ;)

Good to see someone else recommending NOD32.. :)

[Fuzzy Orange]

Yeah we sell it at work, does its job, silently and with less than 10mb memory

Spot on!

Norton actually ate my PC, after 6 months it nearly ground to a hault, and that was 4 years ago - the new versions are utter shit!

[rich106quiksilver]

Agree with Fuzzy, all computer techs will hate Norton!!

As for the wireless problem. Are you running the latest drivers for the wireless card. If not try to download them from the manufactures website. If that doesn't help, you could try changing the channel the wireless is broadcast on via the routers admin interface.

As for free security software, I use AVG for anti virus, its one of the best free products out there:

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/

[joe106gti]

dont get me started, i gave up on the wireless in my house. now i just have a couple of really long extension leads for the laptop

[Chris S]

wireless is crap, norton is crap.

I recommend running a wired network throughout the house, you are guarenteed no problems then.
I just make sure im using XP Service Pack 2, AVG Anti-virus and my router has a firewall built in.
Never ever had a virus in the past 3-4 years.
Oh, and use firefox - internet explorer is targetted by virus makers too often, and is updated less regularly.

[ZestDeux]

i agree, norton is truly shite

keep to wired internet mate its much quicker

[Scootymad]

I would but i dont have an ethernet port on my laptop.... shows how shizz it is :(

[Chris S]

well maybe its your computer in general which is the problem and not neccessarily your wireless connection

[mikey_b]

never actually seen a laptop without an ethernet port (unless its ancient)

you can buy pcmcia ethernet card/port converters aswell

[Scootymad]

Oo, good idea... i do have a few spare ethernet cables... Cardbus adapter it is :p

[Scootymad]

And yes my laptop is acient... its like 4 years old!

[rich106quiksilver]

never actually seen a laptop without an ethernet port (unless its ancient)

you can buy pcmcia ethernet card/port converters aswell

Mine is really old and crap too. I have to use a pcmcia network card. Should be some on Ebay :)

[Chris_429]

See, my problem with my wireless is the other way round... my adaptor works fine, but the router plays up! Can't use msn, youtube, or anything that 'buffers'. It sucks :(

Oh, and personally I just use the Windows XP firewall and Ad-Aware SE personal, seems to do the trick :)

[mat_106]

as some 1 said for security AVG Anti virus is awsome for free even better than norton IMO and for your wireless issue jus buy a new dongle there only like £10-20 from pc world for belkin 1 :)

[rich106quiksilver]

See, my problem with my wireless is the other way round... my adaptor works fine, but the router plays up! Can't use msn, youtube, or anything that 'buffers'. It sucks :(

Oh, and personally I just use the Windows XP firewall and Ad-Aware SE personal, seems to do the trick :)

Which router do you have? Check to see if there is a firmware update on the manufactures website, that can usually solve alot of problems.

[Chris_429]

Which router do you have? Check to see if there is a firmware update on the manufactures website, that can usually solve alot of problems.

It's some sort of Belkin one, got it as a set with the wireless adaptors... I've checked the firmware, and apparently it's all up to date!

[Scootymad]

Bet its not all up to date if its playing up. Personally i think the D-Link routers are the best, i would recommend getting one.

[mechsman]

as some 1 said for security AVG Anti virus is awsome for free even better than norton IMO

Agreed! and it doesn't eat your pc, unlike norton!

I use AVG for anti virus and a free firewall (can't remember what its called, i'll look when i get home). Using this combination I have only ever had 1 virus get through that piggybacked on an email. Thats in bout 5 years of running the system. Oh and for God's sake don't rely on the standard in built pile of sh*t that is the windows XP firewall! Bout as much use as a chocolate teapot on a machine that is open to the internet!


and for your wireless issue jus buy a new dongle there only like £10-20 from pc world for belkin 1 :)

Agreed! Just to double check, your current card/dongle doesn't need an antenna does it? Will have a little tiny screww connector on the side if it does.