To recap: Desktop and Linksys WRT54G router on 3rd floor, about above Winbook laptop on 1st floor. Laptop mostly connects OK. Better, since SSID was changed from default, in case we were getting interference from nearby similar routers with same default SSID. But:
-Speed varies from 5.5Mb to 50+Mb, sometimes over short time periods.
-Signal strength varies from Very Low to Very Good. Speed and Strength do not necessarily correlate. I can get Fast and Low signal, or Slow with Good signal.
Laptop disconnects , or won't connect when it's turned on, at various unpredictable times. Perhaps most often around 5-7 PM. A techie told me that might be due to businesses closing and turning alarms on, tho other than a couple of small stores, this is residential for several blocks around.
Last night it disconnected. But while disconnected, I right clicked the netwok icon (the little TV-looking icon) in the lower right system try, then clicked "Available network connection" (or some such name), bringing up window titled something like "Available connections"> This showed my router connection, with a bar-type graph in top-right corner showing (when cursor pointed at it) Signal Strength:Very Good! This, while laptop was *not* connected!
Is there a chance that the problem is with the laptop wireless card or setup? Laptop and router both bought last September. So they're warranteed for another month or two, so I'd like to get this fixed.
Or is the just a location/communication problem between router and laptop. Heck, it's only about 20-25 feet and two floors between them.
Any ideas appreciated.
Brad