Would a change of Laptop cause a problem?

Wombat · 06-07-2002

OK, it doesn't make any sense, but . . .

I've been stumbling for a while, and I've used three different laptops. Two older Dell Latitudes (133 MHz and 366 MHz) and my new Dell Inspiron.

I've used the same Orinoco Silver card in all three and the same Fab-Corp. Omni antenna, and the same vehicle. But I get different results, with the Inspiron picking up far fewer AP's in places where I've stumbled before. When I switch back to the older Dell (366) I get the results I've always gotten.

I've gone back and forth on this for a while, so I've decided to ask the board and risk being seen as a complete idiot.

Fire away!

lullabud · 06-07-2002

you've tried both setups during the same time of day/night? i've noticed drastically different results in different times, even just due to environmental factors, not people turning their AP's off. other than that it could be a power issue.... being that there's more steady power coming from the older laptops, or less RF interference close to the laptop. it really doesn't make sense to me though, doesn't seem like it should be that big of a difference. how drastic are the result differences?

TIntruder · 06-07-2002

Well, my Dell and Gateway laptops perform differently too.

I use identical PCMCIA cards and have even swapped them between PCs.

Both have the same install of XP Pro.

Both have absolutely identical network settings and driver versions.

Set side-by-side, the Dell will attach to my Linksys AP every time and the Gateway to my Enterasys every time. (preferred order in network settings doesn't make any difference)

Heck, the Dell even does the same if I switch to the USR PCMCIA card!

The Gateway is also superior when using NS as it discovers more APs.

I have to think it is some sort of interference. I know for a fact that a series of Compaq laptops have a flaw that causes 802.11b transmissions to be audible over the laptop speakers. I used one of these laptops on my network and the buzzing is really annoying and it changes with the traffic being sent/received. (e.g. downloading a file, clicking on a link)

Wombat · 06-08-2002

I've tried to make sure the same conditions exist. To the point of having both laptops at the same time and swapping the card between them (with reboot). The older Dell grabs many more AP's than the newer one, with a greater range.

For example, I'll boot the older Dell, start stumbler and find maybe 5 AP's in the neighborhood. I'll shut down, move the card to the newer Dell, start it up, and it won't find any AP's. So, I'll shut it down, move the card to the older, restart, and lo and behold, the 5 AP's show up again.

I don't have any trouble with either system connecting to my home or office wireless setup, but for stumbling, there just isn't any comparison. I guess I'll keep the old laptop around for stumbling.

You're right, it does not make any sense.

lullabud · 06-08-2002

i'm going to have to run some tests with this.... hopefully today will be a slow day at work and i can make use of the gear for something productive.

fordem · 06-08-2002

Quote:

Originally posted by TIntruder
I have to think it is some sort of interference. I know for a fact that a series of Compaq laptops have a flaw that causes 802.11b transmissions to be audible over the laptop speakers. I used one of these laptops on my network and the buzzing is really annoying and it changes with the traffic being sent/received. (e.g. downloading a file, clicking on a link)

That's a case where the Compaqs have inadequate shielding around the PCCard slot allowing the audio circuitry to pickup the transmissions from the wireless card. I'm not aware that there has been a problem with signals from the laptop being picked by the cards.

Incidentally - if you still have the laptop, and it is a 1200XL series system, there is an official fix for the problem, the SPS-wireless kit for m/b is an add-on shield that gets rid of the noise.

lullabud · 06-08-2002

so, i ran a test where i took 3 different laptops and set them up with the same card. i let them all sit for several minutes, saved the ns1 and was going to parse it all out with some phat stats, but i'm having some problems with multi-dimensional php arrays so it might take me a while. it's more of a learning experience than providing data that's anybody cares about... anyhow, here's the skinny.

compaq presario 1800us
win2k pro
found 9 AP's

dell inspiron 4000 pp01l
win2k pro
found 9 AP's

gateway 1400 ea1 (evalutation sample)
winxp pro
found 10 AP's

Wombat · 06-09-2002

Thanks for taking my question so seriously. I'm impressed that tests and comparisons are being run. I'm no amateur in the IT field (been at this for 20 years) but this one really did seem out of the ordinary for me.

06-07-2002	#1 (permalink)
Wombat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Smalltown, AZ Posts: 82	Would a change of Laptop cause a problem? OK, it doesn't make any sense, but . . . I've been stumbling for a while, and I've used three different laptops. Two older Dell Latitudes (133 MHz and 366 MHz) and my new Dell Inspiron. I've used the same Orinoco Silver card in all three and the same Fab-Corp. Omni antenna, and the same vehicle. But I get different results, with the Inspiron picking up far fewer AP's in places where I've stumbled before. When I switch back to the older Dell (366) I get the results I've always gotten. I've gone back and forth on this for a while, so I've decided to ask the board and risk being seen as a complete idiot. Fire away!

06-09-2002	#8 (permalink)
Wombat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Smalltown, AZ Posts: 82	Wow, I'm Impressed Thanks for taking my question so seriously. I'm impressed that tests and comparisons are being run. I'm no amateur in the IT field (been at this for 20 years) but this one really did seem out of the ordinary for me.

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06-07-2002	#2 (permalink)
lullabud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 261	you've tried both setups during the same time of day/night? i've noticed drastically different results in different times, even just due to environmental factors, not people turning their AP's off. other than that it could be a power issue.... being that there's more steady power coming from the older laptops, or less RF interference close to the laptop. it really doesn't make sense to me though, doesn't seem like it should be that big of a difference. how drastic are the result differences?

06-07-2002	#3 (permalink)
TIntruder Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 163	Well, my Dell and Gateway laptops perform differently too. I use identical PCMCIA cards and have even swapped them between PCs. Both have the same install of XP Pro. Both have absolutely identical network settings and driver versions. Set side-by-side, the Dell will attach to my Linksys AP every time and the Gateway to my Enterasys every time. (preferred order in network settings doesn't make any difference) Heck, the Dell even does the same if I switch to the USR PCMCIA card! The Gateway is also superior when using NS as it discovers more APs. I have to think it is some sort of interference. I know for a fact that a series of Compaq laptops have a flaw that causes 802.11b transmissions to be audible over the laptop speakers. I used one of these laptops on my network and the buzzing is really annoying and it changes with the traffic being sent/received. (e.g. downloading a file, clicking on a link)

06-08-2002	#4 (permalink)
Wombat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Smalltown, AZ Posts: 82	I've tried to make sure the same conditions exist. To the point of having both laptops at the same time and swapping the card between them (with reboot). The older Dell grabs many more AP's than the newer one, with a greater range. For example, I'll boot the older Dell, start stumbler and find maybe 5 AP's in the neighborhood. I'll shut down, move the card to the newer Dell, start it up, and it won't find any AP's. So, I'll shut it down, move the card to the older, restart, and lo and behold, the 5 AP's show up again. I don't have any trouble with either system connecting to my home or office wireless setup, but for stumbling, there just isn't any comparison. I guess I'll keep the old laptop around for stumbling. You're right, it does not make any sense.

06-08-2002	#5 (permalink)
lullabud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 261	i'm going to have to run some tests with this.... hopefully today will be a slow day at work and i can make use of the gear for something productive.

06-08-2002	#7 (permalink)
lullabud Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 261	so, i ran a test where i took 3 different laptops and set them up with the same card. i let them all sit for several minutes, saved the ns1 and was going to parse it all out with some phat stats, but i'm having some problems with multi-dimensional php arrays so it might take me a while. it's more of a learning experience than providing data that's anybody cares about... anyhow, here's the skinny. compaq presario 1800us win2k pro found 9 AP's dell inspiron 4000 pp01l win2k pro found 9 AP's gateway 1400 ea1 (evalutation sample) winxp pro found 10 AP's