Extended range wireless keyboard and mouse

[snydley]

I've got an old Pentium II 400Mhz computer, with 384M RAM running Win '98 SE
that I connected to my 50" Sony TV. I want to buy a wireless keyboard/mouse
combo so that I can control the PC from about 10' - 15' away. I have an
inexpensive RF wireless keyboard/mouse combo on my main computer, that works
fine on my desk, and I connected it to the PII to see how it would work. It
works ok until I get 6' away and then it looses the signal and stops
working. I would like to control this PC from my couch which is about 10'
from the TV. I've seen a couple of keyboards combos on the Net that use
Bluetooth technology that has a longer range, but the keyboards require Win
XP, but they have extended controls for Windows Media center etc.and I don't
need that. I could put XP on the PII, but I'm not sure that it isn't too
underpowered for XP. All I need this for is your basic keyboard and mouse
controls, nothing fancy, the important thing is that it has enough range to
control the PC from 10' or so.
Can anyone suggest any keyboard/mouse combos?

Thanks,
Snyde

 

[Paul]

I've got an old Pentium II 400Mhz computer, with 384M RAM running Win '98 SE
that I connected to my 50" Sony TV. I want to buy a wireless keyboard/mouse
combo so that I can control the PC from about 10' - 15' away. I have an
inexpensive RF wireless keyboard/mouse combo on my main computer, that works
fine on my desk, and I connected it to the PII to see how it would work. It
works ok until I get 6' away and then it looses the signal and stops
working. I would like to control this PC from my couch which is about 10'
from the TV. I've seen a couple of keyboards combos on the Net that use
Bluetooth technology that has a longer range, but the keyboards require Win
XP, but they have extended controls for Windows Media center etc.and I don't
need that. I could put XP on the PII, but I'm not sure that it isn't too
underpowered for XP. All I need this for is your basic keyboard and mouse
controls, nothing fancy, the important thing is that it has enough range to
control the PC from 10' or so.
Can anyone suggest any keyboard/mouse combos?

Thanks,
Snyde

Could you extend the USB port that has the RF receiver, so it
is closer to the normal location for the keyboard/mouse ?

Paul

 

[snydley]

There's really no place to place the receiver that way, I would have to put
it in the middle of the floor, I don't want to do that. I would rather keep
it in the bookshelves/entertainment center at the far end of the room with
the TV and computer, and find a keyboard that has an extended enough range
to allow me to control it from the other end of the room. I think some brand
of keyboard that uses Bluetooth technology, if I can find one to work with
'98 SE, is the way to go. The other option is to put XP on that machine, and
buy one of the Bluetooth keyboards I've seen on the Net, and upgrade Windows
to XP on that machine. I'm not sure how well it'll work with XP though.

Thanks,
Snyde

 

[kony]

I've got an old Pentium II 400Mhz computer, with 384M RAM running Win '98 SE
that I connected to my 50" Sony TV. I want to buy a wireless keyboard/mouse
combo so that I can control the PC from about 10' - 15' away. I have an
inexpensive RF wireless keyboard/mouse combo on my main computer, that works
fine on my desk, and I connected it to the PII to see how it would work. It
works ok until I get 6' away and then it looses the signal and stops
working. I would like to control this PC from my couch which is about 10'
from the TV. I've seen a couple of keyboards combos on the Net that use
Bluetooth technology that has a longer range, but the keyboards require Win
XP, but they have extended controls for Windows Media center etc.and I don't
need that. I could put XP on the PII, but I'm not sure that it isn't too
underpowered for XP. All I need this for is your basic keyboard and mouse
controls, nothing fancy, the important thing is that it has enough range to
control the PC from 10' or so.
Can anyone suggest any keyboard/mouse combos?

The system could run XP, but it would be a performance hit,
you'd want to disable a lot of what XP has enabled by
default, even avoiding XP's SP2 would be best.

How about Win2k? Lower requirements and many of the XP
drivers work on 2K, though with Bluetooth you would probably
need a Win2k specific driver. If the product manufacturer
doesn't provide one, "some" people have had luck getting
bluetooth devices to work by taking a "Widcomm Bluetooth"
driver and hacking it to include the device ID codes
applicable to your chosen product instead of that the
software was intended for (but how ethical this is, I leave
up to you to decide).
http://www.broadcom.com/press/release.php?id=715576
Basically I only mention it to give you a search term to
Google if you wanted to explore this route more.

Otherwise, longer range is typical of 2.4GHz frequency
devices instead of 27MHz the older or cheaper products tend
to use. 10' should be do-able with any decent 2.4GHz set,
unless you have a lot of 2.4GHz background noise (in which
case, bluetooth may not work so well either).

You might visit Logitech's website and see what they offer
in 2.4GHz sets, I mean non-bluetooth first to get some
ideas.

 

[Grinder]

I've got an old Pentium II 400Mhz computer, with 384M RAM running Win '98 SE
that I connected to my 50" Sony TV. I want to buy a wireless keyboard/mouse
combo so that I can control the PC from about 10' - 15' away. I have an
inexpensive RF wireless keyboard/mouse combo on my main computer, that works
fine on my desk, and I connected it to the PII to see how it would work. It
works ok until I get 6' away and then it looses the signal and stops
working. I would like to control this PC from my couch which is about 10'
from the TV. I've seen a couple of keyboards combos on the Net that use
Bluetooth technology that has a longer range, but the keyboards require Win
XP, but they have extended controls for Windows Media center etc.and I don't
need that. I could put XP on the PII, but I'm not sure that it isn't too
underpowered for XP. All I need this for is your basic keyboard and mouse
controls, nothing fancy, the important thing is that it has enough range to
control the PC from 10' or so.
Can anyone suggest any keyboard/mouse combos?

Frankly I'm a little startled at the limited range you are getting. I
bought a pair of some cheapsh*t keyboard/mouse combos for my nephews,
and they easily worked from 15' away. I think the brand name was "Micro
Innovations," but who knows who the manufacturer really is. Batteries,
on the other hand, were a real problem. That combo would chew through a
triplet of AAs in about a week.

 

[John Doe]

inexpensive RF wireless keyboard/mouse combo on my main computer,
that works fine on my desk, and I connected it to the PII to see
how it would work. It works ok until I get 6' away and then it
looses the signal and stops working.

Can anyone suggest any keyboard/mouse combos?

Logitech is heavily into wireless input devices.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[Rod Speed]

I've got an old Pentium II 400Mhz computer, with 384M RAM running Win
'98 SE that I connected to my 50" Sony TV. I want to buy a wireless
keyboard/mouse combo so that I can control the PC from about 10' -
15' away. I have an inexpensive RF wireless keyboard/mouse combo on
my main computer, that works fine on my desk, and I connected it to
the PII to see how it would work. It works ok until I get 6' away and
then it looses the signal and stops working. I would like to control
this PC from my couch which is about 10' from the TV. I've seen a
couple of keyboards combos on the Net that use Bluetooth technology
that has a longer range, but the keyboards require Win XP, but they
have extended controls for Windows Media center etc.and I don't need
that. I could put XP on the PII, but I'm not sure that it isn't too
underpowered for XP. All I need this for is your basic keyboard and
mouse controls, nothing fancy, the important thing is that it has
enough range to control the PC from 10' or so. Can anyone suggest any keyboard/mouse combos?

The bluetooth versions will usually do that sort of range fine.

They arent cheap tho, so you may be better off with the longest
legal USB cable, and put the normal receiver on the end of that.

 

[Rod Speed]

There's really no place to place the receiver that way, I would have
to put it in the middle of the floor, I don't want to do that. I
would rather keep it in the bookshelves/entertainment center at the
far end of the room with the TV and computer, and find a keyboard
that has an extended enough range to allow me to control it from the
other end of the room. I think some brand of keyboard that uses
Bluetooth technology, if I can find one to work with '98 SE, is the
way to go. The other option is to put XP on that machine, and buy one
of the Bluetooth keyboards I've seen on the Net, and upgrade Windows
to XP on that machine. I'm not sure how well it'll work with XP though.

It'll be fine, I ran one like that in the kitchen, before I replaced it with a laptop.

 

[Rod Speed]

The system could run XP, but it would be a performance hit,

The only thing I noticed was the longer boot time,
easily fixed by using hibernate instead of shutdown.

you'd want to disable a lot of what XP has enabled by default,

Wrong. No need to that use.

even avoiding XP's SP2 would be best.

Wrong again, SP2 works fine.

How about Win2k? Lower requirements and many of the XP
drivers work on 2K, though with Bluetooth you would probably
need a Win2k specific driver. If the product manufacturer
doesn't provide one, "some" people have had luck getting
bluetooth devices to work by taking a "Widcomm Bluetooth"
driver and hacking it to include the device ID codes
applicable to your chosen product instead of that the
software was intended for (but how ethical this is, I leave
up to you to decide).
http://www.broadcom.com/press/release.php?id=715576
Basically I only mention it to give you a search term to
Google if you wanted to explore this route more.

Otherwise, longer range is typical of 2.4GHz frequency devices
instead of 27MHz the older or cheaper products tend to use.

Thats arguable, many appear to limit the range
so they dont get conflict in a work environment.

Bluetooth fixes that problem properly by having another
level of protocol above what the RF level provides.

10' should be do-able with any decent 2.4GHz set,
unless you have a lot of 2.4GHz background noise
(in which case, bluetooth may not work so well either).

That last is just plain wrong too, the protocol is much more robust in that situation.

You might visit Logitech's website and see what they offer
in 2.4GHz sets, I mean non-bluetooth first to get some ideas.

Makes more sense to go bluetooth if the price isnt a problem.
And just run XP on that system if he cant find one with SE support.

 

[kony]

The only thing I noticed was the longer boot time,
easily fixed by using hibernate instead of shutdown.

Then you aren't paying close attention, it's pretty
noticable sluggishness running a default XP installation on
a very old system.

Wrong. No need to that use.

"Need", no, if you like a sluggish system that uses the
pagefile that much more. In other words, there's no good
reason not to.

Wrong again, SP2 works fine.

I can see you don't have much of a clue about XP, which
other OS were you thinking about instead?

Thats arguable, many appear to limit the range
so they dont get conflict in a work environment.

They do have limits but in general do work at 10' without
any competition from other cordless devices. That is, if
it's a decent quality/brand, not some marginal generic set.

Bluetooth fixes that problem properly by having another
level of protocol above what the RF level provides.

Bluetooth can extend the signal further, but it is not
expected to be necessary at only 10'. Combine that with the
higher cost and potential issues getting it to run on the
right OS (or paying more for an XP license when it seems
otherwise it wasn't desired), makes it a significant cost,
enough to not assume any decent 2.4GHz would be a problem
rather than trying one. Particularly so since I have a few
sets that do 10' just fine.

That last is just plain wrong too, the protocol is much more robust in that situation.

"More robust" can only help up to a point, there are still
plenty of people that aren't getting the performance they
expected with bluetooth.

Makes more sense to go bluetooth if the price isnt a problem.
And just run XP on that system if he cant find one with SE support.

You mean it's easier to spend someone else's money than to
think about it much. Bluetooth is one option but not the
only one.

 

[Rod Speed]

Then you aren't paying close attention, it's pretty noticable
sluggishness running a default XP installation on a very old system.

Pig ignorant lie using that system for that purpose.

I ran Office fine too.

"Need", no, if you like a sluggish system that uses the pagefile that much more.

It wouldnt use the page file any more with what he's doing on it.

In other words, there's no good reason not to.

Wrong again, you wouldnt even be able to pick it in a double blind trial.

I can see you don't have much of a clue about XP,

Never ever could bullshit its way out of a wet paper bag.

It runs fine on that sort of system.

which other OS were you thinking about instead?

See above.

They do have limits but in general do work at 10'
without any competition from other cordless devices.

Not necessarily. And he clearly wants more than that and his clearly doesnt even manage 10'

That is, if it's a decent quality/brand, not some marginal generic set.

Irrelevant to what he has.

Bluetooth can extend the signal further, but it
is not expected to be necessary at only 10'.

He didnt say 10', he said 10-15'

Combine that with the higher cost and potential
issues getting it to run on the right OS

The OS issues arent any different with a non bluetooth cordless system.

(or paying more for an XP license when it seems otherwise it wasn't desired),

Only a fool would bother with a license in that
situation, and they cost peanuts now anyway.

makes it a significant cost, enough to not assume any decent
2.4GHz would be a problem rather than trying one. Particularly
so since I have a few sets that do 10' just fine.

Pity he wants to do 10-15' and you dont know that
yours will even do 10' in his environment either.

"More robust" can only help up to a point,

Wrong with a properly implemented system.

there are still plenty of people that aren't getting
the performance they expected with bluetooth.

Pity that that is 100', so even if he doesnt get the
full range, he will still get the 10-15' he requires fine.

You mean it's easier to spend someone else's money than to think about it much.

Thinking about it aint gunna fix the problem.

Bluetooth is one option but not the only one.

Never said it was, and I said in my first post that it wasnt, ****wit.

 

[snydley]

Turns out, while trying to install XP on the PII machine it halted with the
message: DRIVER_IQRL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL ,(and then some digital numbers).
XP doesn't like that hardware for some reason. I pulled everything out
except the video card and tried again, still got that message. It's strange,
because that machine runs '98SE and Win 2000 just fine. I found an IOGEAR
extended range,(up to 33') wireless keyboard that will work with '98 or 2000
so I think I'll try that.

Thanks,
Snyde

 

[kony]

Pig ignorant lie using that system for that purpose.

Are you saying you disagree?
Who would've thunk it?

Sure you can run an old system with all kinds of excessive
overhead from the OS, but who wants to do that if they can
avoid it? Since you are obviously a glutton for punishment,
I would expect it.

 

[Rod Speed]

Are you saying you disagree?
Who would've thunk it?

Never ever could bullshit its way out of a wet paper bag.

Sure you can run an old system with all
kinds of excessive overhead from the OS,

He wont get that using that system for that purpose, you pathetic excuse for a bullshit artist.

but who wants to do that if they can avoid it?

Nothing to avoid, you pathetic excuse for a bullshit artist.

Since you are obviously a glutton for punishment, I would expect it.

Never ever could bullshit its way out of a wet paper bag.

 

[kony]

He wont get that using that system for that purpose, you pathetic excuse for a bullshit artist.

A Pentium 2 with 384MB of memory is going to be slow for any
desktop/PC-like multitasking uses of WinXP/SP2 with all the
default bells and whistles enabled.

If you just waited till the OS was done doing it's thing and
loaded up a single app of low demand and left it running,
the aforementioned system would handle that fine. Better
question is why cause a problem that limits it like this?

Using an OS that supports things the user doesn't need and
at a greater overhead is somewhat pointless... and at
significant addt'l expense to do so, the OS license is worth
almost as much as the whole system. Only Rod would argue
for addt'l expense and performance degradation too without
even knowing it is required to get the job done... but it's
not a system you would have to use nor your money so that
explains a lot.

 

[snydley]

Thanks guys for all the help. I decided to upgrade that computer and put XP
on it, I want something nicer than an old run down PII 400Mhz to use with my
50" Sony HD TV so I ordered a PIV 3Ghz CPU, and an Intel "all in one"
motherboard and 512M Ram, and put it in the PII's case using the same
drives. It came today, I put it together and it works great. I also found
what I hope to be a nice long range RF keyboard/mouse combo by Gyration
www.gyration.com It evidently has a gyroscope in the mouse and allows you
to control the PC by moving the mouse in the air, not having to touch any
solid surface. Cool idea, hope it works. I'll report back

Snyde

 

[Rod Speed]

A Pentium 2 with 384MB of memory is going to be slow
for any desktop/PC-like multitasking uses of WinXP/SP2
with all the default bells and whistles enabled.

Wrong, as always. I ran Office 2003 on it fine until
I replaced it with a cheap laptop for the portability.

If you just waited till the OS was done doing it's thing and
loaded up a single app of low demand and left it running,
the aforementioned system would handle that fine.

It runs Office 2003 fine, you pathetic excuse for a bullshit artist.

Better question is why cause a problem that limits it like this?

Because it doesnt limit it like you claim. Its fine to use
an old dinosaur like that for what he wants to do.

Using an OS that supports things the user doesn't need
and at a greater overhead is somewhat pointless...

Pointless it may be, but it works fine anyway.

and at significant addt'l expense to do so, the OS
license is worth almost as much as the whole system.

You dont even know that he even bothers with
a license, you pathetic excuse for a bullshit artist.

Only Rod would argue for addt'l expense

There is no additional expense, you pathetic excuse for a bullshit artist.

and performance degradation too

There is no performance degradation when its being
used for that, you pathetic excuse for a bullshit artist.

without even knowing it is required to get the job done...

I only ever said that it would be a viable approach *IF*
he cant find a cordless mouse and keyboards that will
run on SE, you pathetic excuse for a bullshit artist.

but it's not a system you would have to use

I've used one with even less memory, you pathetic excuse for a bullshit artist.

nor your money

I didnt spend a cent on it, you pathetic excuse for a bullshit artist.

so that explains a lot.

Never ever could bullshit its way out of a wet paper bag.

 

[kony]

Wrong, as always. I ran Office 2003 on it fine until
I replaced it with a cheap laptop for the portability.

How fun for you. and slow. and pointless to do with older
software better mated to an older system. Duh?