Wireless Connections fluctuate disconnect/reconnect problems...

[ShinobiGiri]

My dad and i have recently bought a wireless router and wireless nic cards. I also have a laptop that has a wireless nic card.

All computers run Windows XP SP2. Both computers have Linksys wireless network cards G type and the router is also a G type. What happens is that the router is in my fathers room and his computer is right under it. My other computer is no more than....12-15 ft away from the router itself and the other computer is behind a cement wall kind of..and the wireless connections keep dropping. And it takes a few minutes for it to come back up.

My laptop is in my room which is a good...20...25ft away from my wireless router...

The computer in my fathers room has an excellent connection where the wireless router is...

The computer in my living room has a very good connection

The laptop gets a very low signal


is there a way to remedy this. Do i need a signal booster? Or a antenna for my laptop?

Or should i toy around with the frequencies?

[redbaron_snoopy]

Try disabling windows zero configuration on your laptop if its not.
My personal experience (with D-Link though, not linksys) is that if the signal strength is low, the wzc and the connection utility that comes with the card sort of "battle it out" with each other and in the end, nothing works out. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say

[ShinobiGiri]

i get where you are comming from but just where do i locate the WZC?

[glc]

Do you have 2.4 GHz cordless phones?

[redbaron_snoopy]

Under control panel - administrative tools - services. Look for wireless zero config. Right click properties and disable this service.

Would also be a good bet to disconnect any 2.4Ghz digital cordless phones (as what glc mentioned).

I have a similar problem like yours where in less than 25ft over 2 relatively thin brick walls, the signal strength goes down a lot and connection becomes flaky even though I don't use any 2.4Ghz phone.

If above suggestions doesn't work, bring your laptop to the other PC's room where you have a strong signal and do a comparision. If the signal is still weak, that means its more of your laptop card issue. If not, you might then want to consider repositioning your router.

[redbaron_snoopy]

Or a little off-track, how about this ?

http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz/

[ShinobiGiri]

no i dont think i have a 2.4ghz phone...

but if it is what can i do to stop the signal drops?

also when i bring the laptop closer to the router i get some great signals

[redbaron_snoopy]

Well, if your laptop card is not the issue, then you can
1) try using the card's connection utility only (disable WZC)
2) reposition the wireless router - such as avoiding water, glass or metal between the laptop & router. These have serious effects. Of course, you can reposition your laptop if feasible.
3) get a better antenna. I've no experience with add-on antennas, maybe others can help. However, be careful as some antennas are directional so while it solve your laptop problem, your other room's PC might be affected. Would advice spending money on this last.

When glc mention 2.4Ghz phones, it means those "DECT" or digital cordless phones that are common nowadays. It might or might not say that it is 2.4Ghz.

[ShinobiGiri]

well i just looked at the phone it turns out it is a 2.4GhZ

also in between me and the laptop is a bathroom with some metal in there XD

i also want to try the poor mans wi-fi =x

[redbaron_snoopy]

I would suggest not using this phone then. Try and see if situation improves.

[BustaRomeo]

I had the same problem. My computer is a good 40ft from the router and it has plenty of walls and metal and stuff in between. It was a matter of placing the router outside a room with any electrical interference, perfectly placing my computer in a higher than normal position, etc,etc. We gave up and eventually bought a 6"x3" antenna and now even the neighbours have coverage.

[ShinobiGiri]

so where exactly would i be able to get these antenna's?

[redbaron_snoopy]

Well, if you are in US, then a lot of people in this forum buys online from newegg.

[glc]

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...6SIP-N&cat=NET
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HAI15SC&cat=NET
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=SCB10&cat=NET
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...MANT-6&cat=NET

[ShinobiGiri]

well thanks for the help guys my dad and me are gonna go buy an antenna thanks for the quick replies i appreciate it SO much