Windows 7 Detects 2.4GHz, But NOT 5GHz Mode on Home-LAN

Good morning!

1. Background. I recently purchased a "Toshiba A505-S6017" laptop (Intel Core i5/4GB RAM/500GB HDD) with Windows 7, 64-bit, Premium Home edition installed: (1) I have a fully functioning home network with 4 (other) XP, 32-bit, PC nodes. (2) My router is a "Netgear Rangemax Dual Band Wireless-N Router WNDR3300." (3) My new laptop has an internal "Realtek RTL819 Wireless LAN, 302.11n b/g/n(draft) PCE-E NIC," (4) My laptop tranceiver is "Microsoft 2.4GHz, V1.0" (5) I have two wireless networks on the router, one for the 2.4, the other for the 5Ghz and can switch between the two, as desired.

2. Problem. Windows 7 found the 2.4GHz, no sweat, but does not see the 5GHz. I want 5GHz access since am worried about my 2.4GHz and mutual interference with household cordless phones, microwave, etc. which also use 2.4 -- plus, 5GHz is preferred for the speed/modernization advantages.

3. Actions to-date. I have followed Windows 7 procedures for automatic home-network detection, in many ways. I have researched (all/most?) involved OEMs' documentation, forums, and Internet-wide Google queries. I can find no solution or suggestions for the problem.

I am desperate to find a solution, as I need to set up access to my other computers from my laptop. I am considering upgrading my older PC's to Windows 7, but first need to address this issue. Can you help analyze and solve this?

Thanks so much for any consideration you can give me,



Decian

Dear Darryl,

Thanks so much for your thoughtful and "blazing" fast response to my query. I was concerned that I wrote too-long a missive, but it is obvious that you read it carefully enough to find an interesting clue.

Your point is well-taken and I shall investigate.

Most gratefully and sincerely yours,

David

P.S. Also, thanks for the warm welcome to this wonderful resource, The Windows 7 Forum -- D

Dear Darryl,

Thanks so much for your continued interest. Armed by you, I had the right question to ask Realtek. Sadly, I was informed that my particular NIC has only a single transceiver. I'm quite sure that, even had I known beforehand, I would have made the same laptop purchase. Perhaps, there is some software solution out there (unlikely I presume)? Otherwise, I will just try to figure out a workaround, until a NIC upgrade proves to be an unavoidable necessity.

Very gratefully yours,

David

Happy Wednesday, Darryl

Thanks for answering on software solution. Think I will get huge/fast external hard drive - install Windows 7 upgrade on both/maybe all machines. Probably more versatile than continuing focus on NIC limitations -- I can use that HDD for many other things, as well. For example, have never backed up as I know I should -- been very lucky, so far -- 29 years on PC's. (Note, trying to write more concisely to spare my reader's time)

Really appreciate your point about this great online community. Reinforces my great belief in beauty and generosity of the human spirit, particularly yours.

Best regards, D!

AHA! I suspected that teaching was in your blood, my friend -- mine too, but in a less formal way. From military instructor - to father - to community and extended-family organizer -- to nascent writer. :) David

P.S. No stranger to crankiness, either!