Problems connecting laptop to a wireless router

[Red Cooper]

My laptop, a British spec Acer Ferrari 4005, cannot detect the wireless signal from the Netgear WGR614 router I setup to work with my cable modem.
The desktop works just fine and I get internet access through the network cable connected to port 1 on the router.
My laptop worked fine in UK with a Speedtouch 580 ADSL modem/router.
Here in US, the laptop detects other networks and I tried it with a Belkin Wireless G Router. It detected the Belkin router, but on reboot the connection was almost always lost. I returned the Belkin, bought the Netgear, but it is worse now as the laptop cannot see the wireless signal at all.
I am at a total loss - the tech support reckons there is a problem with the laptop. How can that be? Aren't laptops supposed to work anywhere? I am not aware of any separate standards between US and UK.
Maybe related, the wireless phone is running at the same frequency as the router - 2.4 GHz. But even with it switched off, the laptop cannot detect the wireless signal.
Any idea is welcome, please help.

[glc]

Will the laptop connect to any public wifi hotspots or any other wireless networks?

[q2418130103p]

try forcing the router to use wireless-B

there are some differences between us and european wireless network standards, but it has mostly to do with broadcast power (i believe)

[Red Cooper]

I detected the Belkin signal, but lost it always on re-boot. It often jumped from g to b speeds... which sort of confirms the last reply.

I cannot help finding it bizzare that the standards vary from UK to US - I assumed the 802.11 was an universal standard and a portable computer should be able to use it everywhere this standard is used.

Probably a quick fix solution is to get a wireless WLAN card and connect wirelessly this way...

Thanks for your input so far, I am still investigating this issue.

[q2418130103p]

i believe that the standards are the same and the diferences are with the FCC regulations regarding broadcast power and range (i think, my .02)

[Red Cooper]

OK - after more investigations it seems that the cordless phone is interfering with the signal. I took the laptop in the garden and managed to fing a few signals. Also a friend network was detected straight away and the signal was not lost on reboot.

I even tried a new router a Linksys WRT54GS and is invisible to my laptop from 3 feet away from the router.

As I don't control what phone is used in the house, I have to admit defeat - I'll have to use a network cable.

At least all this rubish about the laptop's card and different standards between UK and US is certainly dismissed.

Thanks for your input so far - this forum is great for sharing this sort of things...

[q2418130103p]

well i think any of the 'rubbish' about the differences between UK and US standards were your own fabircations to begin with, as no one else said a word about that being the problem. but thats really neither here no there so what ever.

regardless, i had a friend who had a baby monitor that would kick him off his wireless network... strange stuff eh? welp good luck to you, glad you found the problem.

[glc]

q, please review forum rule 2. Thank you.

- Admin -

[Red Cooper]

I didn't refer to what you said, g - this was implied also by the Acer helpdesk, but dismissed by my experience. I realise I haven't related this incident hence your reaction, understandably.
As you said, at least I found the problem

[mbossman2]

to the point about varying standards country to country (power is one, antennae is another and there are some countries, like Saudi Arabia, that require user licenses)

while 802.11a/b/g are standards, exactly how it is implemented does vary country to country (there are FCC, ETSI, Japanese 1 & 2, Chinese, Korea and Taiwan configurations) and to ensure compatability, the wireless cards must match up otherwise odd things can and do occur.

Now, some companies implement was is called "world mode" in which the wireless NIC takes its set up and radio configurtion cues from the access points, but not all (as it can add to the cost of the card).

In order to be compliant with local laws, you really need to make sure that you do have a card that adheres to the local rules.

[q2418130103p]

although i really dont believe what I said could be considered a 'flame', i understand your motivation. i simply took the comment as an insult becuase i thought he was refering to me, and not the acer helpdesk, and the word rubbish isnt as comon on the east cost us, and it is uk, I thought it was a reference to the quality of my post.

Originally Posted by glc q, please review forum rule 2. Thank you. - Admin -