WiFi flaky all of a sudden

Some additional note I forgot to post . . .

I had thought that maybe the access point is now failing (even though it is a fairly new device with the router portion disabled). So I tried enabling the WiFi B on my older router with a different SSID on a different channel. The same exact symptom occurs with the 802.11b access point. So I'm fairly certain that the device is not bad, but something else is interferencing with them.

Chieh

-- Hacking Digital Cameras -

Ok. Seems like I keep leaving out information . . .

I have tested with two other notebooks with the same results. Neither could connect with the WiFi network. So I think that means the built-in

802.11g network card on my notebook is not defective. One of the two notebooks is 802.11g, while the other is 802.11b. The 802.11b worked fine at the dining table on Saturday morning.

Your advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Chieh

-- Camera Hacker -

Hi,

You should connect to the router directly with a cat-5 cable. This will let you get to the router setup. That is assuming its' a wireless router. You did not state the equipment(s) type. So to assist you in detail, you need to include the hardware specifications.

By chance have you added anything wireless? Like a wireless phone, wireless control unit of some kind for xmas lighting?

What about a neighbor that could have installed a wireless device on the same channel?

You did not specify which OS you are using. You could search for available networks!

HTH!

[POSTED TO alt.internet.wireless - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

More likely interference from something else, cordless phone, neighbor, etc.

Nope. Just basic el cheapo Christmas lights. No new wireless devices.

That's possible that a neighbor could have installed an AP. There are quite a few APs in my neighborhood, but unfortunately, I didn't keep track of them.

I have both Linux and Windows. But I'm primarily using wireless with Windows XP and 98. I have tried NetStumbler and quite a few AP's showed up. My G router has the highest signal.

Chieh

-- Camera Hacker -

You guys are right to a certain extent.

I used NetStumbler to find all of the channels that my neighbors are using. I finally picked channel 1 for my own network. Now I can get on the network from all around my house again. The only problem is that the throughput is still not as high as it was before all this problems started. Instead of getting 54 Mbps like I use to get, both my wife and my notebook gets 48 Mbps. It could drop down to 24 Mbps in other rooms. But at least it's bearable and there are virtually no packet drops.

Last night, we turned on the computers, my wife couldn't get onto the network with her notebook. She couldn't even see the SSID. On a hunch, I unplugged the Christmas Lights that we lit in our backyard patio. (I was a little too lazy to pull the whole Christmas light off to test. Plus my wife would be disappointed if I don't put them back.) And whoa, her notebook found the SSID immediately and was able to connect at 48 Mbps. I also tested it with my 802.11b router, and the SSID wouldn't show up with the Christmas lights on or off, even when it is only 5 feet away from the notebooks. (As I said before the 802.11b worked in every room before.)

Even though I can't guarantee it is the Christmas lights. I now strongly believe that the Christmas lights are interfering with my wireless network whether they are on or off. It's obviously worse when they are on.

Chieh

-- Camera Hacker -

I'm with John, the WiFi stopped working in our family room, and after hours of troubleshooting my wife's laptop I change the channel and the problem went away. I suspect my neighbor has an AP with SSID broadcast turned off...

The speed changes you see were likely always there. Your thorough investigation just shows the nature of wireless transmission. These speed changes are what happens when the signal goes from Excellent to Very Good and surely do not impact your intenet connection speeds. Wirless antenna orientation and shielding (especially for laptops) is the culprit, IMO.

Q