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    Is my WLAN card's Antenna Not connected?

    Discussion in 'HP' started by Psionic, Jul 19, 2004.

  1. Psionic

    Psionic Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just got my ZX5000 a few days ago and love it very much... but well.. i get really low signal strength from my wireless router... It's about.. oh.. 3 feet away at the moment.. I get LOW signal.. I'm runnin cat5 to it.. so well.. my question is.

    I'm not queasy about opening my laptop up and checking to see if it's connected.. but. i'm sure that's discouraged. Should i just take it to Best Buy?

    If you think it's gonna be an easy fix... where is the wlan card? do i hafta take each and every screw out on the bottom?

    -psi
     
  2. Quikster

    Quikster Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    not sure about the disconnectd. The only other thing I could think that it might be is if one of your neighbors has the same ssid, and you are picking that one up instead of your for some reason.

    zx5000 :: 2.4M :: 512 DDR :: 40gb 4200 RPM HD :: 15.4" :: Radeon 9600 Mobilty M10 :: Aquamark3 22,856
     
  3. Psionic

    Psionic Notebook Enthusiast

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    see.. I wish it were that Simple.. but... I'm seeing MY SSID (Baka) not Maison, or The free intercourse Network (other networks around me) i'm on the right channel... everything is right.... am i mistaken in thinking that there is an antenna running up inside the monitor?

    -psi
     
  4. Venombite

    Venombite Notebook Virtuoso

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    Psionic,

    Have you tried doing a Windows Update or getting new wireless network drivers for your notebook? HP had an issue a few months back where a specific version of drivers installed with some Windows Update would cause your connection to cutout and be unreliable. The new drivers fixed the problem.
    Another thing you can try is to use channels 1, 6 or 11. These are 3 isolated channels that should not interfere with each other, including cordless phones.
    Regarding the antenna, i don't think they're wired through the LCD anymore. I think they're integrated into the base of the unit. I had an NX7000 which I opened up the LCD and there were no wires in there except for the ribbon cable to the LCD.

    -Vb-
     
  5. Psionic

    Psionic Notebook Enthusiast

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    huh.. well.... i tried the driver updates.. ran thru all 3 versions on hp's site. same response...

    I'm thinkin it HAS to be something internal, as my friend came by with his laptop and got 100% signal.... sitting right next to me...

    So... my question is.. should i try to fix it myself? or should I take it down to best-buy/radio-shack?
     
  6. Venombite

    Venombite Notebook Virtuoso

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    I wouldn't recommend fixing it yourself or going to BestBuy or RadioShack. I'd say contact HP first and then send it to an HP repair facility. I just don't trust Best Buy/Radio Shack techs. The service center will have your notebook fixed and still be in warranty.

    -Vb-
     
  7. Psionic

    Psionic Notebook Enthusiast

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    yeah.. and on that note.. best-buy/radio-shack only take the product then send it to HP... guess i'm mailing it back.. bah.. can anyone suggest software for wlan that could thru software increase my broadcast strength on the wnic?

    -psi