Re: Better at a Distance

Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:26:30 GMT, Mike -- Email Ignored
<m_d_berger_1900@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I have a Compaq laptop acquired a few months
ago. While originally it worked well, presently
it fails to make a useful connection if it is
near the router, but works better at a distance
of perhaps 40 feet, in another room. Since I
have two wireless routers, I think that we can
rule them out. (For tests, I always have the
wireless turned on in only one router.)

What are possible causes of this problem?

Interference. However, the interference is not entering at the router
end. It's getting to the Compaq laptop. (Interference can happen at
both ends of a link). If the interference is maximum if you're
standing near a window, it's almost certainly coming through the
window.

Possible sources are many but can possibly be identified if you offer
some sort of pattern. Is there all the time, or only erratically? If
erratic, at some specific time of day? How long does it last? Etc.
Your laptop may also have some way to display the signal strength and
signal quality. What you'll probably see is that the signal strength
is better when you're close, but the signal quality may get worse due
to interference.

You can also install Netstumbler on your laptop, and use the indicated
signal strength and quality to do a site survery around what I assume
is your house.
<http://www.netstumbler.com>
If Vista, use Visumbler:
<http://www.techidiots.net/project-pages/vistumbler>



It might also be beneficial to have a look at what channels are being used within close range of your system. It might be better to select a channel that isn't being used and set it in your router. See how that works. (No need to change the SSID.)

.

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