Improving Wireless Adapter Outside of a Google Search

[Zetawilk]

It is important to first note which obvious solutions unfortunately don't apply to this situation. I've already done a Google search, and after consulting several people I found it was essential to say what isn't the case before even coming to mention what the actual problem itself is. Keep in mind first and foremost that before reformatting, the object in question worked perfectly fine.

* The position of the wireless adapter hasn't been moved.
* The antenna hasn't been downgraded.
* The wireless adapter hasn't been replaced.
* The optimal channel was already selected.
* No new objects have entered to home that would increase wireless interference.
* There was and is no wireless repeater.
* The network is running the latest firmware and drivers.

Despite all this, after having reformatting my computer, my wireless adapter has been unable to pick up the signals as strongly as it once could before reformatting. Now the signals are only weak and the internet connection disconnects every few minutes or so. Before the signal was always either Excellent or Very Good. Nothing has changed other than the reformatting, so that leaves me with surmising that the only difference is something AT&T must have done when they installed their internet service.

Compaq Presario SR1750NX Amberine M motherboard Windows XP AT&T wireless Netgear WPN 111 USB adapter.
Using Windows to configure my wireless network settings.

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Administrator>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : hal
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcast
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : gateway.2wire.net

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : gateway.2wire.net
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : NETGEAR RangeMax(TM) Wireless USB 2.
0 Adapter WPN111
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-14-6C-E4-A3-AF
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.71
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Friday, April 17, 2009 7:22:43 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, April 18, 2009 7:22:43 PM

C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Administrator>

 

[zeus]

I think the problem is the bit that says "Netgear" At first Netgear stuff seems great but its always let me down in the end.

 

[Anti-Trend]

I know nothing changed that you know of, but a neighbor could have introduced heavy interference on a channel that was previously clear. If your access point is using channel 6, that is the default setting for most wireless equipment and most users never bother to change it. Try setting your AP to a channel on either extreme of the spectrum and see if it helps your connectivity.