I've got a desktop computer and a laptop (LG LS50). I thought about making an adhoc network and bought an EDIMAX EW7317Ug wireless USB adapter which is connected to the desktop computer. Now I've got 2 problems:

1. The laptop loses signals at a very short distance, and I can't set WEP on the network.

2. My second question is: in the utility that came with the adapter there is an option to make the adapter function like an access point? Is this recommended and better than adhoc? If so, I can't seem to set the adapter to constantly function as an AP, since with every restart it turn back to station mode. How can this be fixed?

Any thoughts, ideas would be welcome.

I've never had as much luck with USB 802.11 devices as I've had with other interfaces...but that is just my personal experience.

Would you consider springing for a mainstream 802.11 adapter instead of that Edimax one? I've never seen one personally so my thoughts are that it is some obscure product (and Google doesn't have too much on it) but perhaps it is common in other areas.

Either way, do this:

Disable all authentication and encryption

Put them close together

Establish connection

See how far away you can get

If things are OK, then start adding on security

You can try that software AP mode but you'll probably have better luck with ad hoc. This is what ad hoc was designed for