Wireless Drops--In Front of Modem

Question

Greetings,   I have a Latitude D620 and wireless Road Runner. I have frequent drops with my wireless connection in various parts of my apartment. In fact, I can place the laptop right in front of the wireless modem, and Windows cannot find it at all. Any thoughts on this? Windows finds our neighbors' wireless networks, but just not our own all the time. It's inconsistent, too--it will work in some rooms sometimes, and not so other times. Thanks!

volcano11 · Answer

Which wireless network adapter is installed in your D620?  Which make and model wireless router are trying to connect to?  Do you have the latest drivers for the network adapter?  Do you have the latest firmware upgrades on the router?  Have you tried changing the channels (to either 1 or 11) on the router to eliminate possible interference from other 2.4 Ghz devices?   Steve

seanohio · Answer

The adapter is an Intel Pro Wireless 3945ABG Net. We have a Motorola SBG900 wireless modem. I'm not sure how to upgrade the firmware on it--go to that 192.600.something address and go from there? Our other desktop PC is connected to the modem as well, and it always works.   The channel idea is curious. We live in an apartment. I'm concerned about that though: how do I do it, and would changing the channel affect how I use the laptop elsewhere, like on my school network or in a coffee shop?

volcano11 · Answer

You would have to read the user's guide that came with the Motorola modem/router to find out how to access it and upgrade the firmware and change the channels.  If you don't have it, I'm sure you can find it on the Motorola web site.  The network card automatically detects which channel the router is using, so it does not affect usage elsewhere.   Since you have an Intel network adapter, see the following:   http://www.intel.com/support/wireless/wlan/sb/cs-006205.htm   You should also consider upgrading the drivers for the Intel adapter using the latest drivers available on the Intel web site.   Steve

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Wireless Drops--In Front of Modem

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