An Ideal MIMO CardBus PCI Card For Your Older Notebook Computer

This MIMO Netgear WPN511 RangeMax Wireless CardBus PC Card Type II slot offer better range when used with a matching router. In my opinion, the major flaw with this lies with the software offer by Netgear. The driver for this adapter works extremely well without the Netgear trashy configuring Smart Wizard software. Using this wireless card in conjunction with my new Netgear WPN 825 RangeMax Router, the WiFi range much much more consistent throughout the house and into the backyard. Whereas before with the old router and wireless card only part of my house was a WiFi hotspot. The router is installed in the living room in front of the house and I tested my laptop computer in the middle of the house in the basement. My signal level is excellent at that location. Using my old laptop computer with this new WiFi card to test out the signal level throughout the house and the backyard. Even in the backyard the signal level varies from low to good.This system make use of reflected waves off the walls of the house with the use of multiple antennas at the router to get around obstacles that would ordinarily block signal. I've tried the same thing with the old router and wasn't able to connect in the back of the basement much less the backyard. That time, I tried that by moving my desktop computer to the rear of the basement and having the connection drop constantly.

Because of interference from other WiFi networks in the vicinity of my house, I weren't able to use the 108 Turbo mode instead have to use the exclusively on Channel 8. I did try Turbo mode in the beginning and found the throughput to be less most of the time than with the 54 Mbps mode. During that time with less interference but did notice the throughput nearly double that of non-turbo mode. During the time of maximum interference I've detected more than 12 WiFi networks in the vicinity of my house. My experience with flaws and performances was similar with this RangeMax Wireless CardBus PC Card as with the PCI version for a desktop computer. Please see, also my review on the desktop version as well.

I purchased the RangeMax router first before the new wireless cards and found even with the old card the range was better than before. I've tested for signal strength with the computer at the same location a second time in the back of the basement and found the signal level much improved with the new router in the same location in living room. During this test the computer was tested with the old WiFi card. With the new RangeMax was even better except for the flaw with Netgear's Smart Wizard software. I've had a few Windows stability problems caused by this software. Even if it didn't shut down my computer by causing BSOD it also cause the connection to constantly drop and freezes up on me. When it freezes up on me I cannot open or close Smart Wizard interface although the connection may remain connected. This problem occur under windows XP, but I didn't get a try it under Windows Vista. From my experience, it is wise to use Windows Wireless Zero Configuration utility (WLAN Config Utility under Windows Vista) only instead of Smart Wizard. The connection is stable and solid using Wireless Zero Configuration ( WLAN Config Utility under Windows Vista).

I've discovered for maximum stability with fewer crashes and drop out it is best not to use Netgear's Smart Wizard. I would initially install the full program as directed by Netgear for windows XP and insert the PCI card and followed the directions for full installation. Then go to My Computer/"C" Drive/ Program Files/Netgear/Driver. Copy the "Driver" folder to the desktop or any convenient place you would like. Next, I would uninstall the Netgear Smart Wizard from your computer. The uninstallation also uninstall at the driver as well. Reboot, do not turn off the computer and wait for the prompt "found new hardware". And followed the directions to install the driver that was copied previously. An easier way, would be to connect the computer using an ethernet cable to the router for Internet access to install the driver being a laptop computer. First, insert the wireless PCI card then turn on the computer and wait for the "prompt" found new hardware. And followed the direction to download, install the driver downloaded directly from the Web. Once the driver is installed,disconnect the ethernet cable and configure the wireless LAN or WiFi using the Windows WLAN Config Utility. I would use this method to install the driver under Vista exclusively. Another trait I found under Windows Vista WLAN Config Utility is that in order to connect to your network it has to have the SSID broadcast turned on. This is not the case using the Smart Wizard utility under Vista. The Netgear Smart Wizard utility is all right under Vista although not great. In my opinion, I would rather turn on SSID broadcasts and use Windows WLAN Config Utility.

Windows Vista is different from Windows XP that it does not save a copy of the driver files in the driver folder in the root folder of Netgear. Because of this, an ethernet cable connection is the best way to obtain the driver files. There are three files involved. The alternative is to look for and manually download the file. Without using Netgear's crappy "Smart Wizard", the connection is much more solid and stable.This wireless card containing Athero chipset and uses AR 5001 drivers. And the latest file version for this driver is 4.2.2.14.

I've purchased this factory refurbished PCI WiFi card off of eBay for $13 plus shipping and tax for a grand total $18.09. Right now, you can buy this MIMO Netgear WPN511 RangeMax Wireless CardBus PC Card Type II slot adapter at justdeals.com for $14.95 plus $6.95 shipping without going through eBay. Being a factory refurbished product, the user manual and installation software is not included but can be downloaded at netgear.com. The warranty for this product is only 30 days.

I will update this as I learn more about this PCI WiFi card.

Features

* RangeMax Smart MIMO (Multi-In, Multi Out) Technology
* Data speed of up to 108 Mbps
* 100% compatible with your existing 802.11b/g products
* Netgear's SmartWizard makes the set-up easy and hassle-free

System Requirements

* Notebook PC with Pentium 300 MHz - compatible processor or higher
* Available CardBus PC Card Type II slot
* Windows 2000 or XP

Physical Specifications

* Dimensions (l x w x h): 119 x 54 x 6 mm (4.68 x 2.12 x .25 in)
* Weight: 1.6 oz (46 g)

Network Speeds

* 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 &108 Mbps (auto rate capable)** 54 is the maximum under Windows Vista

Modulation Type

* OFDM with BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, DBPSK, DQPSK, CCK

Encryption

* Hardware-based 40/64-bit & 128-bit WEP encryption
* WPA-PSK and WPA 2-PSK either TKIP - AES with both settings using the latest driver software

Frequency

* 2.412 ~ 2.462 GHz (US)
* 2.412 ~ 2.472 GHz (Japan)
* 2.412 ~ 2.472 GHz (Europe ETSI)
* 2.457 ~ 2.462 GHz (Spain)
* 2.457 ~ 2.472 GHz (France)

Electromagnetic Compliance

* FCC Part 15 Class B