HELP!! Linksys/3com PCMCIA Speed Problem

[shlznit]

I have an Inspiron 8100 and when I try to transfer files I can only get on average 1mB/sec. I tested a 3com PCMCIA card in place of my Linksys thinking it might be that and I only get a slight increase in speed. But when I transfer files from an ftp over the network I get 7mB/sec on average with the 3com. The Linksys still gets around 1mB/sec. What could be the problem? Should I just stay away from PCMCIA all together and get the mini-pci card? I don't know what to do.