Which Wireless Card Should I buy?

**rock_lobster** · 08-02-09, 02:46 AM

Originally Posted by Phyrelight

Originally Posted by rock_lobster

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124327

You guys think that would be ok to buy?

this one is slightly cheaper with much better reviews

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833166023

it has 182 reviews versus the 9 reviews for your link. I am a fan of the linksys brand tho. I think you would be ok going with the one you linked, it can't be any worse then what you have now. Is your laptop USB 1.0 or 2.0?

Both the one I linked and the one you linked require a full powered usb 2.0 connection to work properly. If you have an old laptop (which I assume since you don't have on board wireless) then powering a 2.0 doggle from a 1.0 usb connection will not work and may be part of your problem.

I went ahead and got the one you suggested. More revies (good reviews), and it was only $20, what have I got to lose.

**Phyrelight** · 08-02-09, 10:48 AM

awesome, make sure you upgrade your bios and chipset when you get it, it controls your USB and should give you better performance.

**rock_lobster** · 08-02-09, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by Phyrelight

awesome, make sure you upgrade your bios and chipset when you get it, it controls your USB and should give you better performance.

Hmm, I've never messed around with my bios before. Aside from making sure all the drivers are updated, what would I do with that?

**Phyrelight** · 08-02-09, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by rock_lobster

Originally Posted by Phyrelight

awesome, make sure you upgrade your bios and chipset when you get it, it controls your USB and should give you better performance.

Hmm, I've never messed around with my bios before. Aside from making sure all the drivers are updated, what would I do with that?

get your model number and manufacturer off the board, go to the manufacturer website, and download a system bios, most current day bios can be flashed and upgrades by a simple download and install from your internet browser, if your MB is old you may need to put the bios upgrade on a floppy and boot from it. The bios tells your PC where stuff is and how to communicate with it, it runs tests on start up checking your voltage, loading drivers for your HD and CDroms, testing and calibrating your memory. It's literally the drivers for your hardware (IDE, Video, Raid controllers, etc). The chipset goes along with it as it's the drivers between your hardware and the outside world...usb, parallel ports, serial ports, keyboard, monitor controler etc. Post your MB model and manufacturer.