I have a Linksys b PCMIA in my wife's Dell laptop (W98). It is
probably about three years or so old. The wireless router BEFW11S4 and I
got the two together as a package. The Router is in my desk in my office
and the laptop is on the desk in the kitchen (same floor about 50 feet
away). Over the last week or so, when we turn her laptop on, it doesn't
find the access point (always did before) and when you profile the area,
it doesn't see anything. HOwever, if I take the laptop to my office, it
finds the access point in the profile and I can then hook up and get
access point and internet. When I walk the laptop back to where it goes,
it stays connected to both access and internet. Needless to say, this
walking it back and forth is getting old. Any suggestions?
BTW: I can take my MacBook into the kitchen and it picks up the
access point with no problem.
On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 13:36:54 GMT, Kurt Ullman <kurtullman@yahoo.com>
wrote in
<kurtullman-8669FF.09364811032007@customer-201-125-217-207.uninet.net.mx>:
> I have a Linksys b PCMIA in my wife's Dell laptop (W98). It is
>probably about three years or so old. The wireless router BEFW11S4 and I
>got the two together as a package. The Router is in my desk in my office
>and the laptop is on the desk in the kitchen (same floor about 50 feet
>away). Over the last week or so, when we turn her laptop on, it doesn't
>find the access point (always did before) and when you profile the area,
>it doesn't see anything. HOwever, if I take the laptop to my office, it
>finds the access point in the profile and I can then hook up and get
>access point and internet. When I walk the laptop back to where it goes,
>it stays connected to both access and internet.
Sounds like weak signal with a new source of interference. (See list of
possible interference sources in wikis below.)
>Needless to say, this
>walking it back and forth is getting old. Any suggestions?
Better antenna at one or both ends of the connection.
> BTW: I can take my MacBook into the kitchen and it picks up the
>access point with no problem.
[shrug]
--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>
In article <7q58v25t5sp4u99f0urcpt4a6khihe4dtf@4ax.com>,
John Navas <spamfilter1@navasgroup.com> wrote:
> On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 13:36:54 GMT, Kurt Ullman <kurtullman@yahoo.com>
> wrote in
> <kurtullman-8669FF.09364811032007@customer-201-125-217-207.uninet.net.mx>:
>
> > I have a Linksys b PCMIA in my wife's Dell laptop (W98). It is
> >probably about three years or so old. The wireless router BEFW11S4 and I
> >got the two together as a package. The Router is in my desk in my office
> >and the laptop is on the desk in the kitchen (same floor about 50 feet
> >away). Over the last week or so, when we turn her laptop on, it doesn't
> >find the access point (always did before) and when you profile the area,
> >it doesn't see anything. HOwever, if I take the laptop to my office, it
> >finds the access point in the profile and I can then hook up and get
> >access point and internet. When I walk the laptop back to where it goes,
> >it stays connected to both access and internet.
>
> Sounds like weak signal with a new source of interference. (See list of
> possible interference sources in wikis below.)
I'll wander through the Wikis and see if anything pops out. The thing
that (at least too my somewhat less than technically knowledgeable self)
would seem to argue against interference is the fact that after the
initial is made, it stays made. If it is interference, wouldn't I lose
the signal again walking back? Go figger.
>
> >Needless to say, this
> >walking it back and forth is getting old. Any suggestions?
>
> Better antenna at one or both ends of the connection.
>
> > BTW: I can take my MacBook into the kitchen and it picks up the
> >access point with no problem.
>
Thanks for the reply. The help is appreciated...
On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 15:01:45 GMT, Kurt Ullman <kurtullman@yahoo.com>
wrote in
<kurtullman-456A42.11014411032007@customer-201-125-217-207.uninet.net.mx>:
>In article <7q58v25t5sp4u99f0urcpt4a6khihe4dtf@4ax.com>,
> John Navas <spamfilter1@navasgroup.com> wrote:
>> Sounds like weak signal with a new source of interference. (See list of
>> possible interference sources in wikis below.)
>
> I'll wander through the Wikis and see if anything pops out. The thing
>that (at least too my somewhat less than technically knowledgeable self)
>would seem to argue against interference is the fact that after the
>initial is made, it stays made. If it is interference, wouldn't I lose
>the signal again walking back? Go figger.
Not necessarily -- I've seen many cases where the wireless can hold a
marginal connection once it has been established that way. Sounds like
you're right on the edge. I'm willing to bet that even when connected
you're getting low throughput.
--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>
In article <uj68v2dfqut2imrkvd0jljqksf28jmp3tg@4ax.com>,
John Navas <spamfilter1@navasgroup.com> wrote:
> On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 15:01:45 GMT, Kurt Ullman <kurtullman@yahoo.com>
> wrote in
> <kurtullman-456A42.11014411032007@customer-201-125-217-207.uninet.net.mx>:
>
> >In article <7q58v25t5sp4u99f0urcpt4a6khihe4dtf@4ax.com>,
> > John Navas <spamfilter1@navasgroup.com> wrote:
>
> >> Sounds like weak signal with a new source of interference. (See list of
> >> possible interference sources in wikis below.)
> >
> > I'll wander through the Wikis and see if anything pops out. The thing
> >that (at least too my somewhat less than technically knowledgeable self)
> >would seem to argue against interference is the fact that after the
> >initial is made, it stays made. If it is interference, wouldn't I lose
> >the signal again walking back? Go figger.
>
> Not necessarily -- I've seen many cases where the wireless can hold a
> marginal connection once it has been established that way. Sounds like
> you're right on the edge. I'm willing to bet that even when connected
> you're getting low throughput.
Yep. Actually, according to my wife, low is probably an understatment
(or maybe overstatement). My MacBook shows no new wireless nets in the
area and I have nothing new in the way to cordless phones. I'll wander
through the wikis and see if they are any help.
On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 15:51:33 GMT, Kurt Ullman <kurtullman@yahoo.com>
wrote in
<kurtullman-623E3F.11513211032007@customer-201-125-217-207.uninet.net.mx>:
>In article <uj68v2dfqut2imrkvd0jljqksf28jmp3tg@4ax.com>,
> John Navas <spamfilter1@navasgroup.com> wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 15:01:45 GMT, Kurt Ullman <kurtullman@yahoo.com>
>> wrote in
>> <kurtullman-456A42.11014411032007@customer-201-125-217-207.uninet.net.mx>:
>>
>> >In article <7q58v25t5sp4u99f0urcpt4a6khihe4dtf@4ax.com>,
>> > John Navas <spamfilter1@navasgroup.com> wrote:
>>
>> >> Sounds like weak signal with a new source of interference. (See list of
>> >> possible interference sources in wikis below.)
>> >
>> > I'll wander through the Wikis and see if anything pops out. The thing
>> >that (at least too my somewhat less than technically knowledgeable self)
>> >would seem to argue against interference is the fact that after the
>> >initial is made, it stays made. If it is interference, wouldn't I lose
>> >the signal again walking back? Go figger.
>>
>> Not necessarily -- I've seen many cases where the wireless can hold a
>> marginal connection once it has been established that way. Sounds like
>> you're right on the edge. I'm willing to bet that even when connected
>> you're getting low throughput.
>
> Yep. Actually, according to my wife, low is probably an understatment
>(or maybe overstatement). My MacBook shows no new wireless nets in the
>area and I have nothing new in the way to cordless phones. I'll wander
>through the wikis and see if they are any help.
--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>
> I have a Linksys b PCMIA in my wife's Dell laptop (W98). It is
> probably about three years or so old. The wireless router BEFW11S4 and I
> got the two together as a package. The Router is in my desk in my office
> and the laptop is on the desk in the kitchen (same floor about 50 feet
> away). Over the last week or so, when we turn her laptop on, it doesn't
> find the access point (always did before) and when you profile the area,
> it doesn't see anything. HOwever, if I take the laptop to my office, it
> finds the access point in the profile and I can then hook up and get
> access point and internet. When I walk the laptop back to where it goes,
> it stays connected to both access and internet. Needless to say, this
> walking it back and forth is getting old. Any suggestions?
> BTW: I can take my MacBook into the kitchen and it picks up the
> access point with no problem.
Your wife gets the office, and you do the washing up :-)
In article <1hutm4c.1uu9aqa1ct3l80N%hlexa@hotmail.com>, hlexa@hotmail.com (Axel Hammerschmidt) wrote:
> Kurt Ullman <kurtullman@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > I have a Linksys b PCMIA in my wife's Dell laptop (W98). It is
> > probably about three years or so old. The wireless router BEFW11S4 and I
> > got the two together as a package. The Router is in my desk in my office
> > and the laptop is on the desk in the kitchen (same floor about 50 feet
> > away). Over the last week or so, when we turn her laptop on, it doesn't
> > find the access point (always did before) and when you profile the area,
> > it doesn't see anything. HOwever, if I take the laptop to my office, it
> > finds the access point in the profile and I can then hook up and get
> > access point and internet. When I walk the laptop back to where it goes,
> > it stays connected to both access and internet. Needless to say, this
> > walking it back and forth is getting old. Any suggestions?
> > BTW: I can take my MacBook into the kitchen and it picks up the
> > access point with no problem.
>
> Your wife gets the office, and you do the washing up :-)
>
> Or maybe install the latest firmware update:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/omu8s
>
> Firmware Date : April 7, 2005
> Current Firmware : Version 1.52.02
> Product PartNo : BEFW11S4 ver.4
>
> As you can see, it's less than 3 years old.
I THINK I already did this. I'll check when I get a chance.
Thanks.
> I have a Linksys b PCMIA in my wife's Dell laptop (W98). It is
>probably about three years or so old. The wireless router BEFW11S4 and I
>got the two together as a package.
I have a BEFW11S4 v4 somewhere. I'm considering using it for target
practice due to its tendency to hang without provocation. However, it
does have a good radio section and works well when it's not hung. Did
you try to power cycle the BEFW11S4 v4 and see if that helps? You'll
need to have the power disconnected for about 10 seconds in order to
do a proper power cycle and reboot.
>The Router is in my desk in my office
>and the laptop is on the desk in the kitchen (same floor about 50 feet
>away).
How many walls are in the way? I could be a weak signal issue.
>Over the last week or so, when we turn her laptop on, it doesn't
>find the access point (always did before) and when you profile the area,
>it doesn't see anything.
Well, if it worked before, it should work again. The implication is
that your W98 Dell laptop is ancient. Since the MacBook works as
advertised, there's nothing wrong on the BEFW11S4 end. Therefore,
there must be something amis on the Dell W98 laptop. However, that
all I know about this laptop so I can't offer any brilliant
suggestions. If it has an internal MiniPCI card, you might check if
the two antenna connections have fallen off. I seem to run into this
problem a bit too often.
>HOwever, if I take the laptop to my office, it
>finds the access point in the profile and I can then hook up and get
>access point and internet. When I walk the laptop back to where it goes,
>it stays connected to both access and internet.
Stays connected with a good signal? If so, it's working. The problem
seems to be making the initial connection. You've offered no clues as
to the nature of the wireless device in the W98 Dell, so I can't offer
any help. However, whatever is broken appears to be in the Dell W98
laptop.
>Needless to say, this
>walking it back and forth is getting old. Any suggestions?
Roller skates?
> BTW: I can take my MacBook into the kitchen and it picks up the
>access point with no problem.
As I mentioned, that means the BEFW11S4 is probably just fine. Note
that the BEFW11S4 is 802.11b only and will limit you to 11Mbits/sec
maximum. This is not a problem is you have a slow internet
connection, but will be a bottleneck for faster DSL and cable modem
connections. You might consider upgrading to an 802.11g wireless
router, even though there's probably nothing wrong with the existing
BEFW11S4.
In article <pph8v29t8d41c4gdoqs9i5480n61nvahlq@4ax.com>,
Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us> wrote:
> How many walls are in the way? I could be a weak signal issue.
3 walls., assuming line of sight. The wall to my office, a "wall" that
is the other side of the staircase and then the wall between the foyer
and the kitchen. The laptop is against the far side of that last wall.
> Well, if it worked before, it should work again. The implication is
> that your W98 Dell laptop is ancient. Since the MacBook works as
> advertised, there's nothing wrong on the BEFW11S4 end. Therefore,
> there must be something amis on the Dell W98 laptop. However, that
> all I know about this laptop so I can't offer any brilliant
> suggestions. If it has an internal MiniPCI card, you might check if
> the two antenna connections have fallen off. I seem to run into this
> problem a bit too often.
I had said earlier that it was a plug in to PCMIA slot and Linksys. I
thought that would be enough, since it wasn't... the laptop uses a
Linksys WPC 11, version 4. Is that what you needed?
> Stays connected with a good signal? If so, it's working. The problem
> seems to be making the initial connection. You've offered no clues as
> to the nature of the wireless device in the W98 Dell, so I can't offer
> any help. However, whatever is broken appears to be in the Dell W98
> laptop.
>
> >Needless to say, this
> >walking it back and forth is getting old. Any suggestions?
>
> Roller skates?
>
> > BTW: I can take my MacBook into the kitchen and it picks up the
> >access point with no problem.
>
> As I mentioned, that means the BEFW11S4 is probably just fine. Note
> that the BEFW11S4 is 802.11b only and will limit you to 11Mbits/sec
> maximum. This is not a problem is you have a slow internet
> connection, but will be a bottleneck for faster DSL and cable modem
> connections. You might consider upgrading to an 802.11g wireless
> router, even though there's probably nothing wrong with the existing
> BEFW11S4.
Connection weirdness 
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