My laptop connects to the Internet without any problem as long as I'm in the same room as my wireless router. But once I change rooms or move too far away from my router, the connection drops in and out. What's the deal?
Interference is the name of the game. The tiny WiFi transceiver in your PC should be capable of picking up any wireless network within about 300 feet under ideal conditions namely, outdoors with a clear line of sight.
Indoors, the range can be quite a bit lower; typically, the signal won't go through more than two or three walls, and perhaps one floor or ceiling.
Every WiFi-equipped PC is capable of WiFi sniffing: scanning the area immediately surrounding it and listing any hotspots (wireless network access points) it finds. Of course, only those networks that are broadcasting their SSIDs will show up, which is why you'll probably want to turn off SSID broadcast on your own router.
The "Choose a wireless network" dialog box is Windows XP's built-in WiFi sniffer, and it is particularly handy when you're trying to find an Internet connection away from home. Whether you're in a coffee shop, in a hotel, or just driving through some residential neighborhood, you can use the sniffer to list any available WiFi networks within range. The closest networks (or rather, the ones with the strongest signals) are listed first, followed by the weaker, more distant hotspots.
A yellow padlock icon indicates secure hotspots wireless networks requiring WEP or WPA security keys so highlight the unsecured network with the strongest signal, and click the Connect button.
With any luck, Windows should connect to the network in 10-15 seconds, and you should be able to start surfing normally soon thereafter.
Note: Like to stay mobile? Keep an eye on your wireless reception with the free Wireless Strength widget (Kapsules. Simply Widgets. ), a graphical signal strength meter that sits on your desktop. (This tool requires the Kapsules scripting engine, freely available from Kapsules. Simply Widgets. .)
The placement of your wireless router and the arrangement of nearby obstacles will have a significant effect on the strength and range of your WiFi signal. Of course, your router will need to be within spitting distance of your DSL or cable modem, but with a sufficiently long cable, you
should have some leeway with the router's placement. Use the signal strength indicator in the "Choose a wireless network" window (right-click the wireless connection icon in the System Tray or Network Connections window and choose View Available Wireless Networks) to test various
configurations.
Place your wireless router out in the open; don't put it under your desk, in a drawer, or behind a metal file cabinet. If you're
feeding several PCs, place your router in a central location. Consider cabling any stationary computers to optimize the placement of the router for your portable (wireless) ones .
Now, other technology in your home or office may also interfere with your wireless network, limiting its range, speed, and reliability. Both the popular 802.11b and newer 802.11g standards operate over the 2.4-GHz band, which is also inhabited by many cordless phones and all microwave ovens. (The black sheep of the family, 802.11a, solves this problem by using the 5-GHz band, but its short range and limited compatibility make it an unpopular choice.) This means that you'll get better results if you move the router away from any cordless phone base stations, televisions, radios, security systems, or TV dinners. (Better yet, replace your aging 2.4-GHz portable phone with a WiFi-friendly 5.8-GHz cordless phone.)
If, after adjusting the placement of your router, you still need more range, consider either a repeater (range extender) or an after market antenna (provided your router has an antenna port to accommodate one). If you need a lot more distance (possibly at the expense of some
versatility)and you fancy yourself a tinkerera Pringles "cantenna"
(Antenna on the Cheap (er, Chip) - O'Reilly Emerging Telephony ) can extend your wireless range by a mile or more!
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