The problem turned out to be the traditional Ethernet interfaces that I had in each machine (the X20 has an integrated interface and I was using a Linksys PCMCIA 10/100 card in the Sony). In theory the extra card should not have caused the problem because in each system I tested the wire-based cards were not connected, and were not indicating IRQ, memory or I/O address conflicts when I checked in the control panel. In practice, however, they do cause problems. By disabling the X20's Ethernet interface via the control panel I was able to achieve consistent, stable wireless communications with my wireless router. I got the same results by merely removing the Sony's Ethernet card from its PCMCIA slot.

During my investigation I discovered a few other facts that may help anyone who is getting less than optimal performance from their card or wireless network. First, if you have a 2.4 GHz cordless phone, you are probably going to have problems with this card because it uses the same part of the frequency spectrum. Second, try to place your wireless access point or router away from outside walls (much of the signal could dissipate outside of your building), or near water vessels (water heaters, aquariums, etc.) because they absorb signals. Also make sure that your PC is not too close to the wireless access point with which it's communicating because that will also cause a degradation in performance.

After I got my card working I have been exceptionally pleased. It's fast and reliable, and the software that ships with it installs easily.

Guess what... Like my experience with ALL OTHER Linksys products, it didn't work. Locked my dad's PC up, and the cards were insanely difficult to get working, and two DIDN'T work at all. Considering that I've been doing Networking for over 10 years and wireless for over two, I figured it would be a breeze.

WRONG. Called tech support, and what a joke. Waited over an hour, got hung up on, called back and waited over another 1 1/2 hours before I gave up and returned ALL of them to the store. Purchased a Netgear USB adapter for my Dad and Lucent ORINOCO cards for the laptops and they worked FLAWLESSLY. Better range, too as with the linksys, I could only wander on one floor. With the Orinoco I can go to the pool which is across the street and have access.

STAY AWAY FROM LINKSYS!

I also replaced my Linksys 4-port router, because it stopped working after less than a year of use (got a D-link, with the added bonus of a built-in print server, for only $... more).

The Linksys corporate web site raves about its explosive growth rate. For me, that's meant a real loss in quality, long wait times for help, and a web support site lacking in current information.

My advice: stay away from Linksys. I got a Microsoft USB wireless adapter today. Worked right from the start, and got excellent reception.

I have since then, purchased a new home and suddenly I find myself more than 75 feet away, 5 walls, and a whole floor away from my access point, and yet I am writing this review happily on my laptop via the LinkSys wireless network PC card. I can wander around the entire house surfing the internet with my laptop. Although the link quality states poor in some portions of the house (like right now for instances) I don't notice ANY difference in the connection speed while surfing the internet.

I have determined that the apartment complex had severe interference from the other 8 apartments that I shared either upstairs, downstairs, walls, floors, or ceilings with.

Bottom line, if you own a home and have little to no interference, you will be THRILLED with the performance of the LinkSys wireless network. Remember to blame your environment for the problems before you start pointing to the LinkSys products.

One thing to be aware of is that 128-bit WEP encryption isn't.
By which I mean WEP is _not_ equivalent security to wired. There is a flaw in the encryption model which is now well understood.
(Search on Google for more information).

If you use this card, use SSH or another secure protocol layer and use _only_ that to prevent passwords being grabbed. If you
don't understand what I just wrote, maybe wireless isn't your

best option.

If you beleive in 'community internet' and leave your access point unguarded for anyone passing by (or ten miles away with a
Pringles-can antenna) then fair play to you. Just be aware that what others do with your bandwidth will ultimately be your responsibility.

The card now works fine; however another annoying thing was that the config utility wouldn't let me enter an encryption password in ASCII. It complained I had to enter 5 ASCII characters even though I did that.

Unlike the ORINOCO card that I also have, it appears that the card doesn't work when inserted after boot time; it has to be present at boot time. Sounds like a lousy job on the drivers by linksys.