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moonbase
new user
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 2
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Hi,
I have recently set up a BT Voyager 2100 3 PC network at home. The main PC is hard wired to the Voyager 2100 with a laptop using the PCMCIA receiver and another desktop using an internal PCI card. I think they are the 1060 and 1040 adaptors respectively.
My problem is the desktop using the PCI card suffers from loss of signal or poor signal strength most of the time. Its only about 12 ft away on the same floor level in the house. The laptop is OK wherever I use it.
Are there any specific settings that I can configure to boost the signal strength to the desktop PC such as exclusion of other signals, channel setings etc. I am picking up one other signal from a link.sys network and am not sure if thats a neighbours signal or not. I am a total novice at networking so any help would be most appreciated.
Regards & Thanks
Edited by moonbase on 19/12/2004 12:41 (server time).
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RobDickson
regular
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 1659
Loc: Slough, UK
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If you're not sure whether the signal that you're picking up is from your neighbour's router, then you need to change your router's SSID to something unique. If you read my Securing Wireless Networks page, then you'll see that changing the SSID is only one of the things that you can do to secure your network.
As far as weak signal and interference is concerned, there are several things to consider. If it's a weak signal then you need a wireless extender (I don't know anything about these, I just know that they exist).
If your problem is interference, then this can be caused by microwave ovens, hair dryers, or other wireless networks. It's a fair bet that your interference is caused by your neighbour's network. An easy way to remove interference from another wireless network is to move your network to a different channel (both networks are probably on channel 11 at the moment, so try moving yours to channel 1).
Also, if you're running WinXP, then you'll probably want to disable Wireless Zero Configuration.
My website
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moonbase
new user
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 2
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Rob,
Thanks for the reply.
I have changed the channel from 1 to 6 but I still pick up the link.sys network as well as that of my BT Voyager 2100.
I secured the network with encryption keys and chose a method of encryption so that side of things may be OK. Its the low signal that is the problem & I wondered if the possible neighbours network was contributing to that & what I could do about it. The channel switching seems to have done very little as I still pick up reception.
The wireless extender option you mention may be the solution. I will try to learn a little more about that.
Thanks once again for taking the time to to reply.
Regards
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RobDickson
regular
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 1659
Loc: Slough, UK
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I think you'll always see the neighbour's network even if it's on a different channel, it's just less likely to cause interference if you're on a different channel.
If you're only using the router to share a broadband connection (and you're not sharing files or printers), and get on well with your neighbour, why not consider clubbing together and sharing a "broadband" connection.
Between you, you might be able to afford a real broadband connection.
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tony_ack
new user
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 1
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I've got exactly the same problem with my wireless network, with a Voyager 1040 PCI adaptor, and a 2100 router. The PC is only 5 metres from the router, but unless the PC/router are set at a perfect angle to each other, the signal is very weak and the wireless connection drops periodically, which sometimes is solved by simply repairing the connection; other times it requires the PC to be restarted. Isn't the range of this BT network supposed to be 40 metres?!? As far as I know, there is no interference from other networks or electrical appliances.
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RobDickson
regular
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 1659
Loc: Slough, UK
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It does sound like interference to me, although you could just have a faulty router or wireless PC card. Have you tried changing channels?
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