No Wireless :'(

[Ergot]

So, I'm trying to get my desktop connected to the AP here, but it can't seem to find it. This laptop with an Intel 3495ABG seems to work ok (2-3 out of 5 bars) although a bit slow. However, the desktop had an Asus PCI WiFi card (Ralink RT2560) but couldn't see it at all. I played with the antenna and made it show up once when it was tilted 45 degrees hanging from the corner of my computer, but that's about it. According to the information given by Vista, it supports 802.11n so I got a Airlink AWLH6070 150N (Ralink RT2860). This one can't find it either. What's irritating is that it does see 2 AP's with 4 bars that this laptop sees with only 3. Is Ralink really that shitty or is something else weird going on. I played with antennas a bunch and the laptop is right next to my desktop.

Oh, on a side note: PCI vs USB wireless adapter, which is better?

[Quik]

Call your network admin department. I know at most UC campuses you have to register with their network for each connection, etc. I'm sure they can help you get the best connectivity you can.

[Newby]

Don't you start Berkeley in December? :P

[Joe]

Oh, on a side note: PCI vs USB wireless adapter, which is better?

I'm sure the 54Mbps bottleneck is going to hit you way before either PCI or USB, so I'd say they're equal. Which do you more more spare slots for?

[nslay]

ralink is actually a pretty good chipset.  That doesn't say much about the drivers though...

[Ergot]

Call your network admin department. I know at most UC campuses you have to register with their network for each connection, etc. I'm sure they can help you get the best connectivity you can.

Not on campus

Don't you start Berkeley in December? :P

No

[Camel]

Oh, on a side note: PCI vs USB wireless adapter, which is better?

I'm sure the 54Mbps bottleneck is going to hit you way before either PCI or USB, so I'd say they're equal. Which do you more more spare slots for?

Just be aware that USB 1.0 "full-speed" is only 12Mbps, and Windows is notorious for misrepresenting USB 2.0 "compatible" devices for devices "operating in" said mode. I'd still recommend going with USB (for the simple reason that it's more portable), but make sure you actually verify you're getting your 54Mbps.

[Newby]

Not on campus

Don't you start Berkeley in December? :P

No

What happened to late admission? :O

[Ergot]

Fall Program for Freshman.

[Newby]

Oh nice. UCSD had one of those too. Davis doesn't though!

And I say go with PCI. USB is nice if you don't want to have it plugged in all the time, but a card is there whenever you need it. :P

[Ergot]

So frustrating, I'm about to move the whole damn computer around to find a connection ><!!

Edit: Ok apparently the AP is downstairs, and I'm upstairs, so bleh. Mad props to Intel for making a chip that is amazing. I've tried 3 different cards with no luck (even plugging on usb one into the laptop) but this Intel 3945ABG gets a steady connection :D

[Camel]

Another advantage to having a USB card is that it doesn't reside inside of a faraday cage :P