Hey computer wizzes...

pips · Post by **pips** » 31 Mar 2008 17:36

My stepdad and I are trying to connect his computer to mine using a wireless Linksys USB thingy. It says the connection has been made but the strength is poor or low. His internet will not work at all. I am stumped. Do any of you happen to know anything that would help?

Bringerofpie · Post by **Bringerofpie** » 31 Mar 2008 17:57

Wishing? That's always my advice to aspiring musicians, so it could help here.

janis · Post by **janis** » 31 Mar 2008 18:03

Ok a few questions:
Are you trying to connect the computers through any walls/obstacles? (things like fishtanks/metal are about the worst)

Is there a transmit power control for the card? if there is, make sure that it is set to full transmit power.

If all else fails manually drop the transmission rates (Tx rates) on both ends to the minimum and see if this improves the connection.

Also it might pay to check that the internet settings on your dad's laptop are correct. If you are connecting to a router try entering in the routers address in the "default gateway" setting in the network settings control pane. If the internet is only connected to your computer and you then want to connect your dad's laptop to the internet via your computer, you might need to enable internet connection sharing from your computer.

sorry if this makes little sense, I'll try to explain things in more detail later if needed.

KronoKicker · Post by **KronoKicker** » 31 Mar 2008 18:18

Couple things:

What exactly are you trying to do? It sounds like you are trying to get 2 computers to talk to eachother using wireless. This is possible, its called ad-hoc networking, but not a lot of wireless cards support this.

So first, how does your computer get to the Internet?
Do you have high-speed cable, or DSL?
If you have DSL, or Road Runner, or something like that, is you computer plugged into the modem (the little box the company gave you), or does it connect wirelessly to a router, which then plugs into the little box?

Write down this information for me too if you can find it.
Operating System on your computer and your dads computer
The model number on the USB wireless device on your dad's computer
Model number off the router, if you have one, or the model number off the little box that your computer connects to.

If you want you can just take pictures.

pips · Post by **pips** » 31 Mar 2008 20:09

I was thinking maybe I should put my router out in the open (it is tucked behind my monitor).

Um. I have a Dell. My stepdad has HP. Both Windows XP (desktop by the way...not laptop). My computer has the Linksys Wireless-N router hooked up through a cable modem. My stepdad has the Wireless-N USB adapter.

All we want is for my stepdad's computer to have internet.

I'd get numbers and stuff, but they are asleep. I'll be back later.

professor · Post by **professor** » 31 Mar 2008 21:20

Make sure your dad's usb is broadcasting on the same channel and protocol as the router. Protocol is 802.11g, 802.11b, or similar and channel is just a number.

Make sure your router doesn't have any encryption. WPA or WEP usually. If it does, you need to enter that in your dad's computer. Either in the software that came with the usb or in the windows wireless network setup.

Who set up your computer and router?

Blue_turnip · Post by **Blue_turnip** » 31 Mar 2008 22:49

Solution: ethernet cable.

Proof: wireless licks ma balls. Especially since you're not using a laptop.

KronoKicker · Post by **KronoKicker** » 01 Apr 2008 08:58

Let me know what the model number on the router is.

She has already confirmed that she is using 802.11N
Her dad's computer doesn't broadcast anything, it receives a signal. With XP, the wireless client is limited. It doesn't state the channel that the signal is on, a user doesn't need to know anyway, and it also can't differentiate between APs, which sucks. The linksys client is better, but USB wireless adaptors generally suck, especially for the pre-standard N equipment.

When your dad's computer is on, let me know if you are using the linksys or the general XP client to look at the wireless info.

If you can try to open the Wireless information and copy the SSID, from both of your computers.

Also download, netstumbler, http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/ on your dad's computer. After installing it, run it. Take a screenshot of that, and post it in here... or record all the data in a table. This program will list all SSIDs with BSSID info, signal strength, signal to noise ratio, channel, and more.

This will tell me if you need to move the router around, and if you have some possible interference from other wireless APs.

Post by **Zac Miley** » 01 Apr 2008 12:53

KronoKicker wrote: This will tell me if you need to move the router around, and if you have some possible interference from other wireless APs.

AND ALL OF YOUR PASSWORDS!!!!!!

pips · Post by **pips** » 06 Apr 2008 07:38

Well...I meant to get back to you guys, but I never got a chance to sit down and mess with my comp. My stepdad beat me to it and called Linksys. We are connected now. Turns out we weren't on the same channel. We thought so but didn't know where to change channels. Thanks anyways!