Is it signal strentgh?

I have a Dell Latitude w/TrueMobile 1150 wire-less running XP. I had no
success maintianing a wireless connection through a WET11 wireless AP that
was connected to a hard-wired hub to DSL modem, so I went and bought a
Wireless router BEFW11S4, still can't keep a good connection.

I live in an older wood construction home, I'm downstairs, router is 1
flight up. I think I have everything configured properly. What channel is
the best I'm using 6 w/WEP?

Any inputs would be greatly appreciated.

"DssSouth" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:e64_b.75840$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have a Dell Latitude w/TrueMobile 1150 wire-less running XP. I had no
> success maintianing a wireless connection through a WET11 wireless AP that
> was connected to a hard-wired hub to DSL modem, so I went and bought a
> Wireless router BEFW11S4, still can't keep a good connection.
>
> I live in an older wood construction home, I'm downstairs, router is 1
> flight up. I think I have everything configured properly. What channel is
> the best I'm using 6 w/WEP?
>
> Any inputs would be greatly appreciated.


I guess first comment might be: - Have you considered that the problem might
be the lattitude's wifi card bfore you rush out and buy another AP!

Next thought: MOST problems are to do with settings, laptops being more
critical as they like to power things down - yes even wifi cards!

1. Can you connect each time but get "thrown off" a lot
2. When you DO manage to connect, do you get good signal / good data rates?
3. Is the laptop on you lap / knee when it fails but ok on desk / floor?

Follow ups:

Cause of (1) tends to be things like "allowing laptop to power down wifi
card in power save mode", having it look for any wifi signal instead of AP
only (can sometimes detect itself and then tries to connect - abandoning
proper link in the process, shouldn't happen but it does), other AP nearby
on same/adjacent channel? LOL you aren't running the WET11 and the new
router both on C6 are you?

If (2) is yes then fault is likely to be one of settings rather than
anything else, if links are very weak then possibly there is a card fault /
damaged internal antenna etc. If this IS the problem, leave the laptop
connected when sitting next to the AP - see if signal fails then. If so,
need to consider a new card for laptop. If ok then, perhaps try moving the
AP a little further from the wall / metal objects.

If (3) problem only apparent when laptop on lap/knee, then it may be that
the signal is lost when going through your body. I can easily get "Very
Good" signal upstairs if laptop almost anywhere. Plonk it ony my knee and it
falls to poor. 2.4 Ghz heats meat, it doesn't pass much through. This can be
confusing to some folks when it happens the first time. Everything fine,
they pick up the laptopn, plonk it on their knee and it loses connection!
they put i back on the desk and it gets it again. Some folks then reckon
there must be something "loose inside" - reasonable logic I guess.

If none of those things apply, can you describe any patterns / signal
strength / other settings / did it used to work / tried it at a friends
house / shop with another AP. Give us some more specific symptoms please.

As for C6, so long as no one else if likely to be on it or nearby (4,5,7,8)
then it ought to work pretty well in most conditions.

Mark

Mark, Good comments.

I have a couple to add.

First, stand next to the AP. Do you have a good signal strength?

YES - Continue
No - Get a wireless PC card (integrated must be bad) - Netgear WAG511
or
Cisco Aironet is fine

Walk away from AP and determine where you loose signal. If you have
good
signal on the floor with the AP, and nothing the floor below or above,
then
it's likely that your flooring is reflecting or absorbing most of the
RF.

The only fix for this would be antenna diversity, or another AP
installed on the offending floor.

Use channel 1, 6, or 11 (theoretically they don't overlap)
Keep both AP's on the same channel, if your infrastructure is blocking
the RF you won't have issues with Co-interference. This will also help
with roaming.


Mike
www.netopsed.com