Question

help with wireless router

Asked by: rgrouch

I have just installed a linksys wirless router (802.11g) to service a pc and a notebook.  The pc is connected by ethernet.  I set up the router, it communicates with the cable modem, and the pc is working fine through the ethernet conenction.  The notebook, which has a 802.11b card, is not working.  The notebook detects the network in the list of available wireless networks, but when I click on the proper ssid and hit ok, it will not connect.  Here is what I have checked:

1) SSID broadcast is on
2) MAC filtering is off
3) WEP is off
4) the router is set to broadcast in mixed b/g environment

Is there something I might be missing?  Could the notebook require a driver to work with a g router? I thought it shouldn't because the router is supposed to be backward compliant.

One last piece of information.  When I walk to the other end of the apartment, the notebook connects to the wireless network from the people in the next building.  Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

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Asked On
2004-09-28 at 08:45:56ID21148033
Topic

Broadband Internet

Participating Experts
1
Points
500
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: DeathOfRatsPosted on 2004-09-28 at 09:07:54ID: 12171034

You are correct... 802.11g should be completely compatable with 802.11b.  Since you only have Wireless-B devices, you might set the "Wireless Network Mode" to be "B-only" rather than "mixed" in the "Basic Wireless Settings" screen.  

Make sure that your laptop and the router are set to the same channel.  If you are picking up someone elses network in another part of your home, you might change this for both devices.  I would change it to the opposite end of the spectrum.  For instance, if you are currently set to channel 1, set it to channel 11 (or vice versa).

Last but not least, attempt to eliminate environmental interference.  If you have any cordless phones or other cordless devices such as baby monitors in your home, remove the power from those devices or try it again.  2.4 Ghz cordless phones are the most common culprit for environmental interferance.

Good Luck!
-DoR

 

by: DeathOfRatsPosted on 2004-09-28 at 09:09:57ID: 12171053

Ooops!  Instead of "or try it again" in the above post, that should have read "And try it agian".  I hate typos.

-DoR

 

by: rgrouchPosted on 2004-09-28 at 09:17:56ID: 12171135

how do i switch the channel on the notebook?

 

by: rgrouchPosted on 2004-09-28 at 09:33:35ID: 12171269

also, wouldn't it be set to the right channel if it can detect the network?

 

by: DeathOfRatsPosted on 2004-09-28 at 10:34:12ID: 12172042

It is probably a matter of opening the properties of your wireless device in your device manager and adjusting it there.  I can give you more detailed instructions if I have:
a: make and model of your notebook
b: make and model of your wireless card
c: operating system.

And it may detect a network and not be able to connect to it if it is on the wrong channel or if you have environmental interferance.  I THINK that linksys defaults to channel 11, but don't quote me on that.

 

by: DeathOfRatsPosted on 2004-09-28 at 10:48:59ID: 12172220

And I digress... your laptop SHOULD pick up the channel info from your router automatically... it is possible that changing the channel on the router to the opposite end of the range could solve your problem without messing with the channel on the laptop.

 

by: rgrouchPosted on 2004-09-28 at 11:15:37ID: 12172500

thanks, i'll try switching the frequency.  however, i might have also done that last night.  we'll see.  thanks for the suggestions.

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