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    wireless signal question

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by chiz08, Apr 11, 2007.

  1. chiz08

    chiz08 Notebook Enthusiast

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    hi. i have a question about my wireless connection. the signal strength of my wireless connection on my laptop is the same (60%) when im far away or near the router. is this normal? I use my laptop in my room, which is on the second floor of our house. my router is on the first level. i thought that if i will position my laptop in front of the router, the signal will be much higher. i tried it once but nothing has changed. it just stayed at 60%. just want to know what you guys think.
     
    chiz08, Apr 11, 2007
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  2. iholla

    iholla Notebook Geek

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    What wireless card do you have? If its an intel, then they have a driver fix for it and it will read 99% if you have a good signal!
     
    iholla, Apr 11, 2007
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  3. iholla

    iholla Notebook Geek

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    iholla, Apr 11, 2007
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  4. Reezin14

    Reezin14 Crimson Mantle Commander

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    Yes I woud do what iholla suggested update the drivers for card & router.
     
    Reezin14, Apr 11, 2007
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  5. chiz08

    chiz08 Notebook Enthusiast

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    ok.. downloaded it and now im having full bar signal with 99%. sometimes it changes to 80 and then to 60% tho. maybe it's just because im not very close to the router. is there anything i should change in the advanced tab on the router properties? the channel should be the same on the router and card right?
     
    chiz08, Apr 11, 2007
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  6. Reezin14

    Reezin14 Crimson Mantle Commander

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    Download something like netstumbler and check to see if the channel you're using is heavly populated sometime switching to a less used channel can help with signal strength, plus other devices on the 2.4GHz spectrum can interfer also.
     
    Reezin14, Apr 11, 2007
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  7. chiz08

    chiz08 Notebook Enthusiast

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    downloaded netstumbler. when i open it.. there is a message on the bottom of the screen that says "access denied". my os is vista home premium.. maybe netstumbler doesnt support vista yet. or is it something else.
     
    chiz08, Apr 11, 2007
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  8. chiz08

    chiz08 Notebook Enthusiast

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    i figured it out.. i ran it as an administrator and the access denied message was gone. however, im receiving a message that says no APs active..
     
    chiz08, Apr 11, 2007
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  9. iholla

    iholla Notebook Geek

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    I would like to hear more about Netstumbler??? who all uses it?

    Right from there forum it states:

    "Microsoft's latest Operating System, Vista, is NOT one of the OSs that NetStumbler works under. The supported OSs are Windows 2000 and Windows XP".
     
    iholla, Apr 11, 2007
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  10. SpencerT

    SpencerT Newbie

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    I found Passmarks WirelessMon v2.0 very good and informative. Unlike other programs it has a radius around where you are and gives details of your position in relation to your router. I do believe it can also give accurate reasons why GPS sat nav has signal problems. There is a 30 day trial from passmark website and i also believe it requires administrator right to activate the NDIS drivers. As i was just peering over the shoulder of a colleague i cant specifie its full functions (sorry) but i think its definatly worth a look. Good luck on better signals
     
    SpencerT, Apr 11, 2007
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  11. SpencerT

    SpencerT Newbie

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    I found Passmarks WirelessMon v2.0 very good and informative. Unlike other programs it has a radius around where you are and gives details of your position in relation to your router. I do believe it can also give accurate reasons why GPS sat nav has signal problems. There is a 30 day trial from passmark website and i also believe it requires administrator right to activate the NDIS drivers. As i was just peering over the shoulder of a colleague i cant specifie its full functions (sorry) but i think its definatly worth a look. Good luck on better signals
     
    SpencerT, Apr 11, 2007
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  12. RedSensiStar

    RedSensiStar Notebook Deity

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    Sometimes you need to use Windows connection repair. This clears all the DNS cache, etc, and usually benefits your signal strength.
     
    RedSensiStar, Apr 11, 2007
    #12