Wireless network question

MrBishop

MrBishop

Well-Known Member
I was trying to hook up my kid's computer to his wireless network..but the neighbour's network switch is closer..so when I try and link up, all I'm 'finding' is his. Would moving my switch physically closer help overcome my neighbour's signal or is there maybe a way to block that signal?

DLink WBR-2310 (rangebooster G network switch) downstairs... wireless G adapter in my son's machine. It's physically about 30' away...but it looks like my neighbour's machine is less than 6' away.

My main machine is wired straight into the switch... I'd be willing to buy another adapter for my machine and move the modem and switch to a nice 1/2 way point if I can find one.
 
it should show both.
You can have multiple networks.
If it isn't showing up your, it's just not making connection.
The neighbor's doesn't matter.
 
First off try if there's any wireless connectivity at all.

Move the computer closer to the access point, like next to it and try to connect, then you have 2 scenarios.
1. It doesn't detect it, which would suggest the access point is faulty or not properly configured (I'd discard the wireless nic on the puter because it can detect the neighbout's AP).
2. It shows up and connects fine, in which case you should configure the AP to a different channel or move it closer to the computer. Physical distance matters, but how many obstacles (walls, furniture, carpets, etc) are between matters most.
 
I currently see 3 wireless networks, my computer is set to automatically connect to my own. When at my moms I see up to 5 at times. If you can't see your own network I would think something is wrong with your wireless router. If I can pick up signals from other HOUSES that are over 30' away, it seems ridiculous you couldn't pick up a signal in your own house.
 
Yeah, I can see several different ones at my place too... father away than 30 feet, and through the metal walls of my mobile home.

Make sure your router's wireless is actually turned on. That can be controlled in the control panel (type in 192.168.0.1, and unless you've set some other password, the username should be "admin" and the password should be blank).

If the wireless is on, check to see if your router is set to hide itself. There's a checkbox for "enable hidden wireless" and then you have to know the SSID of your router, which is also set on that screen. Most people leave theirs as "Linksys" or whatever the default is but I changed mine.

The manual is here and that's where I got the info from. My router is a linksys so I had to check to see what the differences were between the two brands.
 
Luis G said:
First off try if there's any wireless connectivity at all.

Move the computer closer to the access point, like next to it and try to connect, then you have 2 scenarios.
1. It doesn't detect it, which would suggest the access point is faulty or not properly configured (I'd discard the wireless nic on the puter because it can detect the neighbout's AP).
2. It shows up and connects fine, in which case you should configure the AP to a different channel or move it closer to the computer. Physical distance matters, but how many obstacles (walls, furniture, carpets, etc) are between matters most.
Click to expand...
What he said here.
There are other factors which would limit 802.11x from reaching the area your son's computer is at. Certain paints, windows, or appliances can dampen the signal and prevent his computer from seeing your router. The signal can bounce off creating a wave of equal but opposite wavelength, thus creating a dead spot. Channel overlap can also cause dead zones. Since you can see what channel your neighbor is on, change it on yours to something else (if yours is configured for the same channel). You may also have your router configured to not broadcast the SSID. In this case, you're not going to see it on his wireless NIC.

I have 802.11n at my house with a legacy 802.11b/g router at one end (for legacy purposes).
 
I've seen APs not reach farther than 20-30' within the same house. Stucco is a common example of this (metal mesh in the walls).

Can you hard-reset the router and see if the wireless appears?

Assuming the router really is broadcasting and the wireless does work, the channel is the next biggest suspect. Try something like inSSIDer to verify the neighbors channel and make sure yours is at least +/-2 from it.
 
He mentioned he's using 802.11g (2.4 GHz)...
here's some info on channels... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels
You will actually want to avoid channel overlap so rather than going up +/-2 use the following channels... 1, 6, 11, or 14. Otherwise you may still have some interference. Find out which channel your neighbor is on first. Then pick any of the others listed above.

With regards to the stucco/mesh ... yeah, you get a house surrounded by that and it works like a wicked Faraday Cage! However, I've never seen a house with interior walls made with stucco/mesh materials. And if the outside is stucco/mesh I doubt that they would see the neighbor's router if they had such materials on the outside of their house.

If other computers can connect to the router I'm guessing the router is set to not broadcast.

One other suggestion: update the drivers on the wireless NIC on the computer.
 
valkyrie said:
With regards to the stucco/mesh ... yeah, you get a house surrounded by that and it works like a wicked Faraday Cage! However, I've never seen a house with interior walls made with stucco/mesh materials. And if the outside is stucco/mesh I doubt that they would see the neighbor's router if they had such materials on the outside of their house.
Click to expand...

Older houses, before gypsum board was invented or became common place, sometimes have lathe and plaster walls (metal mesh and plaster, which is cementitous and similar to stucco). In fact most, if not all, of the walls in the upstairs of my house are lathe and plaster. I do not have a problem picking up my wireless signal anywhere in the house. Although, the router is in the basement so I may be picking up through the floor when I'm upstairs. Who knows.
 
The only metals in my walls come from pipes, the electric wiring, screws/nails and the corner pieces for drywall. Looking into several of the ideas here...when I have the time.
 
Not yet... got other things in the job jar to deal with before putting my son online becomes that important.
 
Do a rescan for available networks. All within range should be shown. If any, other than your network, are connected disconnect it and then connect to your own network.

The proximity to the router is not as significant as the number of walls and floors you have to penetrate to see the signal. The more walls and floors the weaker the signal. Try moving the line-of-sight position of the router and receiver to encompass the fewest number of obstacles.

Also, go here to get help with your setup.

http://www.portforward.com
 
If all of these don't work and you have 2 laptops/PC's where only one can see the wireless router then check the drivers for the PC's wireless NIC. You may have to download and install a newer driver.
 
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