A/B/G, Intel or Atheros chip?

Hi all, I'd like to upgrade to a A/B/G mini wireless card on my Compaq V2000Z with AMD CPU.
Which one should I buy to use it under Windows, the Intel 2195 or the Atheros chip?

I know the Atheros wireless chip is well supported under BSD and Linux, is this true for the Intel chip as well?

Thank You.

 

Well, your idea is good, but HP laptops have a BIOS whitelist for WiFi cards, only HP certified cards work, so you either have to hack the BIOS or find a certified replacement which works.

 

I can use my 2195abg in knoppix very well. I don't know about other distros, but in the end I bought a SMC Atheros cardbus adapter.

 

Did You go for the SMC because the minipci Intel wasn't working very well? Which one works better on Knoppix? What about Windows?
Thanks

 

I swapped out my Intel 2915 abg on my Acer Travelmate 8104 for a Atheros card. The 2915abg was 'pretty good' but did experience intermittent disconnects - I have only had the Atheros card ( see http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=34165 ) since last Friday but I can tell you .....

I can see at least one more SSID (stronger receiver )
I have not had one disconnect (I use the Laptop daily)
Connect signal is better in all areas of the house

Only downside is the wireless off / on button no longer works and does not light up (likely a bios setting in the Intel Card) - small price to pay for stability IMHO

 

Thanks daacom, I was suspecting that the Atheros chip was getting better... now is confirmed! I have no more doubts about it.
Thanks for your post!

 

Yeah, better range is what your are getting. I can actually pick up networks from two blocks away.

 

Miner, I've found few Minipci card for HP but none with A/B/G capability.

Where can I find the whitelist? Do You know a A/B/G card that will work on V2000Z? Atheros?
Thanks

 

Well, the whitelist is coded onto the BIOS itself. There is no way around it unless you decide to either hack or mod your BIOS. It is a long known issue with HP and also IBM(Lenovo). Both have this restriction on updating the Wifi cards. For many people this not an issue but if you want to upgrade your options are very limited.

I highly doubt the Atheros or any other aftermarket card will work.

 

I've found the HP W500 minipci wireless, it seems that supports A/B/G channels.
Do You know if it will work on V2000Z?
Someone at HP told me that it will, but I don't trust them 100%.
Do You have any info on this card?
Thanks again.

 

Well, I really dont know since I have not tried that card.

If you do want to try it, then buy it from a place which will accept returns just in case if the card does not work.

 

how much better is an a/b/g card compared to a b/g card?

 

If the cards have the same chip than they are the same, it is just that one offers A support.

Personally I prefer the A channel because is faster on the short range, but doesn't strecth as much as G and superG.