Intel PROSet/Wireless shows varying signal quality

I have an 802.11g home network. My laptop uses Intel ProSet/Wireless to
manage WiFi connections. Sometimes the Intel ProSet/Wireless icon in
the task bar shows poor signal quality event though the signal strength
indicator in the ProSet/Wireless main screen shows five bars (the
maximum). My laptop is located less than three fee from the wireless
router. I have tried different channels with no effect.

1) What metric does Intel ProSet/Wireless use to determine signal
quality?

2) How can I determine the cause of the intermittent poor signal
quality?

Any suggestions or pointers to reference material would be most welcome.

--
..Bill.

smlunatick wrote:

> Sgnal interferance is normal. Can be cause by almost any
> environmental causes:
>
> -- Microwave ovens
> -- Cordless phones
> -- Additional wifi wireless networks in your area
> -- Cell phone
> -- Power

Thanks. If interferance that causes the network to fail was normal no
one would use wireless networks.<g> I know it is not my microwave oven
or cordless phones (different frequency). There are no other wifi
networks within range. There are no cell phones in use in my house when
the problem occurs. The house next to me is vacant at the moment so I
know the problem is not there.

Any suggestions for determining the cause or reducing its impact?

--
..Bill.

smlunatick wrote:

> Did you scan for the Wireless network in your area?

Yes. There are a couple of other networks but they are not close and
none is on the channel I am using.

>
> Where is the router placed? It should be in the center of your
> network area.

It is not but it cannot be moved. Location cannot be relevant to the
problem.

>
> Walls, eleectronic equipement and appliances can "reflect" some of the
> signals.

The problem is that the signal quality as reported by Intel
ProSet/Wireless suddenly drops dramatically for a period of time that
may range from minutes to hours then suddenly returns to its normal
value. Walls cannot cause that effect.

I am beginning to suspect that it must be some kind of interference and
that once I eliminate possible causes in my home there is nothing else
I can do. Is that the case?



--
..Bill.

"Bill" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:#(E-Mail Removed)...
.........
> I am beginning to suspect that it must be some kind of interference and
> that once I eliminate possible causes in my home there is nothing else
> I can do. Is that the case?
>

A professional wi-fi installer can find what is
this interference, and locate your equipment optimally.
Of course, this will cost you.
There are also some RF energy meters and software for amateurs - google...

--PA

Pavel A. wrote:

> There are also some RF energy meters and software for amateurs -
> google...

Thanks.

--
..Bill.

You guys are forgetting 1 fact presented by Bill (OP), that is: "My laptop
is located less than three fee from the wireless
router" (I take that as 3 feet instead of "fee"). 3 ft isn't that far. At
this distance, signal strength and quality should be in the 90% range (and
up) constantly.

@Bill
(wild guess) Perhaps PROSet driver or firmware needs an update

"Pavel A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Bill" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:#(E-Mail Removed)...
> ........
>> I am beginning to suspect that it must be some kind of interference and
>> that once I eliminate possible causes in my home there is nothing else
>> I can do. Is that the case?
>>
>
> A professional wi-fi installer can find what is
> this interference, and locate your equipment optimally.
> Of course, this will cost you.
> There are also some RF energy meters and software for amateurs - google...
>
> --PA
>

John wrote:

> @Bill
> (wild guess) Perhaps PROSet driver or firmware needs an update

I would believe that except that when the signal quality drops we see
it drop on my wife's laptop (an HP dv1000, I have a Dell Inspiron 9300)
as well. Her laptop does not use Intel ProSet/Wireless.

I got hold of a second access point and now have it set up about two
feet from the first but using a different channel. The next time the
signal quality drops I want to see if it drops for both access points.
I also have Network Stumbler installed now so I will see what it shows
the next time the signal drops.

Thanks to eveyone for the information and suggestions.

--
..Bill.

"Bill" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I would believe that except that when the signal quality drops we see
> it drop on my wife's laptop (an HP dv1000, I have a Dell Inspiron 9300)
> as well. Her laptop does not use Intel ProSet/Wireless.

I agree. That narrows it down to either the router or interference. Does
your router happen to be newer version of Linksys WRT54G?

> I got hold of a second access point and now have it set up about two
> feet from the first but using a different channel. The next time the
> signal quality drops I want to see if it drops for both access points.
> I also have Network Stumbler installed now so I will see what it shows
> the next time the signal drops.

Come back and post your findings, if you don't mind. I'd love to hear it.

John wrote:

> I agree. That narrows it down to either the router or interference.
> Does your router happen to be newer version of Linksys WRT54G?

Until recently I was using a Belkin F5D7130 access point. I now have a
new Linksys WRT54GL v1.1. I purchased the WRT54GL so I can use the
DD-WRT firmware if I want to. At the moment I have the WRT54GL running
on channel 3 and the Belkin on channel 11. The Belkin has always been
on channel 11 in the past.

>
> Come back and post your findings, if you don't mind. I'd love to hear
> it.

Will do.

--
..Bill.

WRT54GL is a good choice. I've heard so many issues (eg: dropped wifi
connections, freeze after a day or two etc) with WRT54G v5 and later. I've
never had any problems with my WRT54G v3.0

Btw, I'm not a big fan of Belkin WiFi products. The 2 Belkins I've used give
me nothing but troubles.

"Bill" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> Until recently I was using a Belkin F5D7130 access point. I now have a
> new Linksys WRT54GL v1.1. I purchased the WRT54GL so I can use the
> DD-WRT firmware if I want to. At the moment I have the WRT54GL running
> on channel 3 and the Belkin on channel 11. The Belkin has always been
> on channel 11 in the past.