Major problems downloading with wireless

[macx]

With XP, I have LAN at home and download quickly.

When I go to a wireless at a motel, I always have
major problems.

I've got a Linksys "boosted" wireless card and it will
connect to wireless systems but the computer can't
find the internet on many of them.

Then when I switch to Windows wireless manager,
things go S L O W ! ! !

First, what's the problem, or better yet solution,
to the internet not being found when using the
Linksys wireless manager?

Second, when I am able to connect at i.e. 24mbs
and good signal strength with the Windows wireless
manager, why is downloading SO slow?

In fact, about 80% of the time, when I try to
download something, it'll go part way and stall,
won't download at all.

Surely wireless has to be better than this!?

I'm using Sygate personal firewall, AVG Free,
Ewido security suite, ad-watch, etc.

At home I also use a physical router and don't
have these problems, so's got to be something
in the wireless hookup or software.

Thanks for any tips for improvemen t!

 

[Tedster]

many hotels limit bandwidth to each particular guest so that all guests can have adequate internet usage - surfing, bill paying, etc....

on the other hand, some do not, and high bandwidth usage among many guests bogs down the system.

 

[macx]

But would that have anything to do with the Linksys wireless manager
not working? In fact, in some motels, it does work and work fairly well.

In some, including the one I'm in right now, the Linksys wireless won't
work at all - it connects with good signal, but the computer can't find
the internet and I have to switch to the Windows wireless manager.

Seems like there's some kind of difference between motels so that
the Linksys works in one and not the other.

And why would the connection be good signal and speed but the
computer still can't find the internet?

 

[Nodsu]

There are compatibility issues with different wireless software and access points. You could try updating the Linksys program to the latest version or disabling it completely (and using the WIndows builtin thing).

As for the "internet" not being "found", you should ask the hotel staff if there are some special procedures needed. The wireless is not set up to be 100% automatic everywhere. In some places you have to put in the settings manually or register your computer or even pay money for the wireless.

Also, are you sure all these networks belong to the hotels and you are not stealing from someone in the next building?