Signal: Very Good, but can't view pages and everything else

[Virtueq3]

Hi everyone.

I just recently purchases a Linksys wireless router for my PC. Right now I am hooked up through a router/lan or whatever.

Whenever I format/install Windows, I always use the option that I am "Connecting to the internet directly" or whatever, I'm unsure if that is why I am having a problem, but either way.

Currently it says my connection is Very Good, but when I take out the cable to my network card, I can't connect using wireless.

We've been having problems with out actual connection for a while now due to poor network cables connected by the house owner, and I was hoping by purchasing a wireless card I could connect to either the wireless router in this house, or the one that is 2 houses down at my mom's, but I can't find my mom's wireless router (also a linksys wireless router). I'd rather connect using my mom's that is about about 30-40 yards away or so, because the home owner here is a prick and like to mess with the internet.

Does anyone know of anyway I can just simply view web pages using the signal I am picking up with my Linksys router, or connect to one nearby. I tried searching for "all" wireless connections around here, but I only came up with the one in this house I believe, yet my mother, 2 houses down, picks up hers, the people across the street, and a few others a few streets down. I am also using Windows XP Pro.

Thank you for reading.

[Whyzman]

Welcome tohttp://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif Forums!

My suggestion is to contact Linksys Tech-Support. They have proven to me to be masters with setting up and troubleshooting their systems...

[Virtueq3]

Jayzar M. (15495):Hi, my name is Jayzar M. (15495). How may I help you?
You: Hi I just recently purchased a Linksys Wireless PCI Adapter for my computer the other night, and I've been unable to connect using it. It says I have a "Very Good" Signal, but cannot connect
Jayzar M. (15495): I see.
Jayzar M. (15495): Were you able to use this device on the laptop or desktop?
You: no
You: i just installed it last night, it said I had a signal, but wasn't able to get online with it. And I know there is a wireless router 2 houses down (my parents) and I am trying to figure out how I can connect to that router instead of the one in this house that doesn't work very well
Jayzar M. (15495): I see.
Jayzar M. (15495): How far are you from the your parents house?
You: just 2 doors down, i'm suppose to be able to get a signal from up to 1,500 feet correct? I know it's nothing near that, my guess is it's about 50 yards away at most
Jayzar M. (15495): Distance is one of the things that need to be considered.
Jayzar M. (15495): It is only 150 feet range.
Jayzar M. (15495): WMP11 v1 is your device right?
You: I'm unsure. It's a WMP11, is what I was told, version, unaware
Jayzar M. (15495): Okay.
Jayzar M. (15495): On what PC were you able to use this device, is on the desktop?
Jayzar M. (15495): Is it on the desktop?

You: Ok, I have it plugged into my computer (this one) right now. I installed a driver for it, which comes up as Instant Wireless-B PCI Adapter on Hardware Manager, I have an icon at the bottom right of my desktop on the toolbar showing an X by it. I cannot find a single wireless router currently with it, but I know there are at least 3 my parents can connect to, just 2 houses down
Jayzar M. (15495): I see.
Jayzar M. (15495): Thick walls are also considered as wireless interference and this will be one of the probable cause of your concern.
Jayzar M. (15495): Are you wired to your router right now while chatting with me?
You: currently I am hooked up using just my normal router/network card
You: I just want my wireless to work
Jayzar M. (15495): I see.
You: and these thick walls you speak of, I don't understand why I cannot find a single network, when I know there are at least 3-5 around me
Jayzar M. (15495): I am with you with that goal.
Jayzar M. (15495): That would be causing the signal not to penetrate on your room.
You: Ok, is there anyway I can connect to a certain wireless router if I had certain information, i.e., IP address, ect? I should be able to connect, and I don't think a wall is stopping me from being able to find any signal at all
Jayzar M. (15495): Were you able to have an IP when you are wireless using this PC?
Jayzar M. (15495): And may I know what is the IP address that you were able to get?
You: I am unsure of the IP Address I was able to get a signal to last night, but it's the one in this house using a Belkin Router, now, I cannot connect to it because the home owner took it out. And I don't know the answer to the first question
Jayzar M. (15495): I see.
Jayzar M. (15495): Were you able to try to connect this PC wirelessly on your parents house, since this would be one of the isolation for your concern.
You: Not as of yet, I just installed this last night, and have yet to bring my PC there to test it out
Jayzar M. (15495): That would be one of the options to answer your concern.
You: and what if I am unable to pick up that signal from the router?
Jayzar M. (15495): I have a link here on what to do with this type on concern on this device.
Jayzar M. (15495): Please copy and [paste this link on your web browser to view the page.
Jayzar M. (15495): http://linksys.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/linksys.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=582&p_created=1084217661&p_sid=FQW21-ui&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=4090&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9NjgyJnBfcHJvZHM9MCZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY9JnB fY3Y9JnBfc2NmX2xhbmc9MSZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90Z Xh0PVdNUDExIHYx&p_li=&p_topview=1
You: done
Jayzar M. (15495): Were you able to view the page?
You: I suppose I'll have to see if I can pick up a signal at all over there and see if this is infact a problem with a wall
You: yep
Jayzar M. (15495): Thank you.

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That's what I got out of them. He seems to think it's because of "thick walls" that aren't allowing me to pick up any other signals in my area. So I guess I'm going to have to haul my PC to my parents' and see if I can get a signal there or not, if I do, and it is due to a "thick wall"... I'm not going to be very happy.

[Whyzman]

The routers are actually limited in the amount of power they can use to transmit. Couple that with structural interference, and your not going to travel anywhere near to a line-of-site situation.

I've a USB wireless adapter on one of my computers that is only about 20' away, but slightly down stairs (a few steps). My walls are plaster and the steps are concrete and I'm only able to pull 2 bars of strength...

There may also be variables that you will have to deal with as far as the router setup at your parents...are they broadcasting their SSID? Are they password protected?

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Building construction is very much a limiting factor on access point (transceiver) distances. My GPS refuses to work indoors.

One that comes to mind is if your house has foil faced Celotex beneath vinyl or aluminum siding. If either siding or insulation is grounded, you may as well live under ground. this is because your house is shielded to RF communication quite well.

Temporarily put your pc next to a window, with antenna as close as possible to it. See if signal strength improves or you are able to see the other networks.

If you were able to see the landlord's network earlier, this is because it was transmitting from within the shield of the exterior of the house.

[Virtueq3]

Well I am at my parents' house right now, and I am able to connect with an "Excellent" signal, and am online using just wireless. Her house is only 2 houses down, but my computer is right by a wall, and I cannot pick up her wireless signal from there. Any suggestions other than being near a window? The place I am at is pretty crowded with many computers in the room, so I don't think I'd be able to get any closer to a window...

[Whyzman]

You could possibly try a high-gain antenna on your folks' router...although, no guarantees...

[bassman]

I have posted a link to this site (http://nocat.net/) a number of times here. There is a TON of information about auxilary anntenas, directional transcievers, and lots of other stuff.
Hope it helps :cool:

[Whyzman]

Bass, the Pringles can antenna is a hoot! :D

http://www.oreillynet.com/cs/weblog/view/wlg/448