The above tips and the tips from en.community.dell.com/.../19466262.aspx seem to work but still my ping back to the router is taking much more time than the Toshiba, HP sitting right next to it. OK I have swapped positions and places in the room but unless I am sitting in the same room as the router the thing does not seem to work as better as others. The only issue with max WiFi power setting is that it will chew more power so really we should nto have to do it. I also think that the physical position of the WIFI card in the laptop could be an issue as well. I say this as changing the way the laptop faces seem to improve things. I have done more trouble shooting with this machine than I have ever done in my life with any thing that I have bought from any other manufacturer.
Look since I posted this I have had to do more setting changes on the adapter. Basically I have told the adapter exactly what each parameter for the link is and it seems to be okish, still drops but nothing like before. But still the service is unacceptable.
Another update, there is something in the adapter that everytime you change a setting it resets itself and seems to be fine for few seconds and then goes back to drop outs. Still investigating but my gut feeling is the physical position or other internal intereference to the adapter. Could be and happy to be wrong here.
The signal strength indicator is all over the place. Have never seen this before.