I can share laptop's files when it's signed on 5G, not 2.5G channel.

When I sign on my Windows 7 Pro laptop to the 5G channel of my Netgear R7000 router my cabled desktop PC can access its files. But not when I switch the laptop to the 2.5G channel. The laptop can access the internet through either channel.

Why the difference and how can I fix it?

Check the drivers Advanced option settings on your PC and laptop.
Depending on the driver some can use both, (2.4 & 5) others cant.

Roy

Thanks,

My laptop driver does not have the same options. The adapter is [Intel(R) WiFi Link 5300 AGN]. The [advanced] tab contains all the same options except [Preferred Band]. It is just not there.

The desktop PC has an [Intel(R) Ethernet Connection I217-LM] having no equivalent options.

Hi Stan,
Strangely enough your 5300 shares the same drivers as my 5100.
so yours should look like mine.

Roy

Thanks, My driver is v12.4.1.4 dated 3/26/2009 and is provided by Microsoft.

I will update it and post back.

The online search for a driver ended with "Windows has determined the driver software on your device is up to date."

go via the intel site download it to your desktop and point the updater to it.

Roy

I downloaded and ran the Intel Driver Update Utility. It did not find any drivers out of date on the Win7 Pro Dell Studio laptop.

I downloaded and ran the Intel Driver Update Utility. It did not find any drivers out of date on the Win7 Pro Dell Studio laptop.

Confirming the problem -- I have tried to access that laptop's files from two other computers. In each case the files can be accessed when the laptop is connected 5G, but not when it is connected 2.4G.

From that laptop in both 2.4G and 5G modes, it can read files on the cabled desktop computer. It can read a Win10 laptop when both are in connected 2.4G, but not when the Win10 is 5G, unless the laptop is also 5G.

The networks maps look very different when I switch the Studio laptop from 5G to 2.4G.

Three maps are attached.:
1) Total network
2) Laptop on 5G
3) Laptop on 2.4G