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Computer Solace

8===>Q: alyn

09:26 / 09.04.05

So, my mom has installed a WiFi connection here, for some reason, I guess because it's an old house and she didn't want to drill cable-holes into everyone's room. I don't know how the previous owners managed for the last 10 years!!!1! But anyway, the connection is weirdly unreliable and, in fact, I am connected through a neighbor's WiFi network more often than my own. The little Network Connection doozer will tell me I have an excellent connection, but no internetty appliances can find the internet, and they bring up a connection-repair wizard that doesn't have a whatsit for WiFi--it has broadband & dialup, but can't find the wireless card.

My question to you is this: What's happening when my internet appliances can't find the internet, even though the computer knows right where it is, and how do I show them the way?

sleazenation

10:03 / 09.04.05

can you access the net via your neighbour's wifi?

8===>Q: alyn

10:10 / 09.04.05

Quite often, but not always. Right now I'm using their WiFi because mine is not responding.

8===>Q: alyn

10:11 / 09.04.05

BUT! The Network Connections doohickey says it's there.

I'm using a really old Windows Frankenstein PC.

8===>Q: alyn

21:12 / 09.04.05

Oh, come on, you dirty bastards. Little help!

ONLY NICE THINGS

07:30 / 11.04.05

OK... older versions of Windows sometimes have trouble with WiFi, so it could be an OS issue. Otherwise..

1) Is your router 802.11b or 802.11g? g has a higher transmission rate but a lower effective range.

2) Where is your router? The easiest thing to do might be just to move the thing over a bit until you get a better signal. You can also get directional antenna to improve Wi-Fi reach in a specific dirction but I wouldn't bother until you've tried moving it around a bit.

3) What are your network's security settings? Disabling security and seeing if you can get a signal, then reenabling it might give you some more info.

4) If the router has ethernet ports as well (almost all of them do), and your PC has a network card (likely, but not certain) it might be easier just to run a cable to your PC when you want to connect to the Internet. An RJ45 cable usually doesn't cost much - I could send you one if you wanted - I have about a zillion spare.

w1rebaby

08:12 / 11.04.05

g has the same range as b as far as I'm aware so that shouldn't make any difference. (I've certainly not noticed any personally.) Otherwise I second most of what Haus says. Old houses frequently have strange wall thicknesses and construction details that do not lend themselves to wireless transmission, causing odd dead zones to appear, so move the machine around and consider an aerial. I've found Windows wifi to be a pain in the arse, although I understand it's got a lot better in recent XPs; disabling all security and everything might help, and then you can add it back in gradually, getting each individual part to work.

Ideally what would be useful is someone with a working wifi laptop who can come in and check, to see whether it's your machine that's possessed by demons.

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