Calling all computer buffs

[boatmike]

I have a laptop supplied with an MSI Card Bus CB11B2 which am told is 11b not 45g (whatever the hell that means)
When I plug it in a little light comes on to say it's functioning and a second light flashes intermittently (whatever that means)
I am running Windows XP and have an icon in the bottom right that relates. When I click on it it says there are no signals in range which I would expect.
Now every pub has a resident expert as we all know. This "expert" sucks his teeth and says "11b mate? NBG! Wont work... You need 45g...." I think I am just not in range of a signal. Is he talking out of the rear lower area of the trouser department as I suspect or is there anything in what he says please? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[pragmatist]

Trouser dept !

I think you'll find you have no signal in range.

The protocols are 802.11b which runs at up to 11Mbps and 802.11g which runs at 54Mbps. What this means is that if you want to use the internet (say from a marina which is wi-fi enabled) then 802.11b is fine - in the UK you're unlikely to get more than 2Mbps so you're over-equipped. If you want to wirelessly network 2 computers together then they can talk at up to 11Mbps. If use a pair of 802.11g card then obviously you can go faster. And if you wire 2 computers together then typically you can get 100Mbps transfer rates (modern ones can now go at 1000 but its not really relevant unless you're ona big office network).

But if, as I suspect, you just want the internet then your card sounds fine - you just need to find something for it to talk to ! Most utilities which come with such cards (mine happens to be a Belkin) will appear as another icon in the system tray at the foot of your screen and offer options to search for a connection, show signal strength etc.

 

[boatmike]

Thanks for that entirely "pragmatic" answer which I understand about 75% of! I shall register that said "expert" is in need of more retentive underwear and lurk around looking for a signal. Incidentally you are right about the icon. when clicked on says "available signals" and there are none....
Good oh! Thanks again
Mike

 

[BlueChip]

Just about every McDonalds has a decent wireless signal (look for BT Openzone sticker on the door)
Its a good place to start - open your browser window and you should get a BT logon screen. If that works you are in business. With XP its really straighforward.

 

[pragmatist]

Sorry - wasn't meaning to be too techie - just entranced with wireless ! But having to eat at McDonalds ...

 

[boatmike]

Er....Yes! Do I really have to eat a big mac and chips to get to check out WiFi?
There must be a more digestable way forward than that!

 

[BlueChip]

You don't have to eat - but they do a really good coffee in McDonalds now

 

[mithril]

It works up to a couple of 100 meters from a McD's so no need to go in.

I like the fries tho, prefer chips but the fries are OK.

 

[boatmike]

I think the prospect of "lurking" outside a McD trying to pick up a signal is even less attractive than eating a Big Mac. Coffee might be acceptable.......