Really tricky problem!!

[ihill]

I have a Buffalo router with ethernet connection to desktop. Works fine. I have a Thinkpad with wireless which connects to the router, no problems. The other half has a desktop with the Buffalo USB WAP which has intermittent connection problems. I have changed the channel finding to a fixed one rather than automatic searching for the best channel. Every now and then he cannot get a connection. Today it took a number of tries - using the Buffalo utility to try to reconnect. There was one other user in the neighbourhood on the channel 6 ( the one he is on ) It was after that other person went offline that he got a connection. The Buffalo utility reports 100% strength, but hovering on the icon in systray, it reports 17%. We have tried moving the WAP around the room but it makes no difference. I should also add that this is the second WAP. The first one was faulty and went back. We have had this one about a year and it has been OK until recently. I am not sure what to try next - especially as the Thinkpad has no problems. Any ideas appreciated!!!!:confused:

[ihill]

After running a few tests with the laptop, we found a place in the room where it all works - so I reckon that there is something deflecting the signal somewhere!

[cszeto]

Channel 6 is probably the worse one to be on as it's the default for a lot of manufacturers and it is also the one that is used when any type of channel bonding takes place. That's basically all the 108 mbps and "turbo" implementations where they use two channels to double the data transfer throughput.

Folks adding new 2.4 Ghz cordless phones as well as new microwaves can wreak just as much interference as another 802.11 network in some cases. Replacing the antenna(s), if possible, with higher gain ones will usually yield the best results.

[ihill]

Thanks for that. Unfortunately the Buffalo does not seem to have removable antennae, but I can investigate the possibilities. I can certainly change the channel! It is really useful to be told about channel 6 and also the phones!

[cszeto]

Cordless phones is one that catches a lot of people by surprise, especially when they are living in housing complexes or have neighbors close by.