Wireless connection "channel" .. - Democratic Underground

Why Syzygy

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Wed Apr-29-09 10:15 PM
Original message

Wireless connection "channel" ..

Recently one of the neighbors has started using the same wireless channel. My password is a common name, which opens the potential for unwilling "share". It seems to me like my speeds and performance have degraded quite a bit, especially at DU. When I refresh my connection, instead of getting 44% signal as usual, it is now 20%/20% with this neighbor. Do I need to change my channel setting?

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RoyGBiv

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Thu Apr-30-09 12:30 AM
Response to Original message

1. Yes ...

This is a common cause of signal strength problems.

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Why Syzygy

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Thu Apr-30-09 01:02 AM
Response to Reply #1

2. Thanks.

I'll wait for Tier III support to come to work. Last time I tried the DIY, I messed up.
They can take care of it remotely. When I chose the channel, I did so specifically because no one else on the scan was using it.
Ticks me off a bit. I'll also change passwords.

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Why Syzygy

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Thu Apr-30-09 02:25 AM
Response to Reply #1

3. :grr:

Edited on Thu Apr-30-09 02:26 AM by Why Syzygy

If you or someone is still up, I'm going to modify the modem myself.

I generally get 36/48 up to 54 Mbps, and it's at ELEVEN now. I want to kick some butt.
Last night I even did a reboot and unscheduled virus scan due to these difficulties.

Question. Can I change the channel without affecting all the other settings? And is that good enough or do I need to change the pass phrase at the same time?

As far as password, I have the modem page open and can see where the pass phrase is. That's all I need for my adapter. The next time I call TW I'm going to have them walk me through rather than the lazy way of letting them do it.

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ChromeFoundry

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Sat May-02-09 04:54 PM
Response to Reply #3

4. get a copy of

http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/Network_Stumbler/netstumbler.html
NetStumbler

Find all the networks in your area and set your channel on your router to be at least two channels away from any other router channel in your area that has a fairly strong signal. This will give you the least amount of overlap an provide you with the best performance. Stay away from channel-6 because most routers are configured for that channel out-of-the-box. Channel-8 or 9 usually is a good safe bet.

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Why Syzygy

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Sat May-02-09 05:01 PM
Response to Reply #4

5. Is there another way to get that information?

It supports wireless network cards that use the Hermes chipset, including Lucent, Dell True Mobile, Compaq WL 110, Elsa Airlancer and several others. We have installed but not tested this version, since our wireless card was not compatible.

I have a Linksys USB adapter. Doesn't look compatible? The monitor feature of the adapter shows some other wireless users in the area. That's how I know someone's on mine.

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ChromeFoundry

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Sat May-02-09 08:09 PM
Response to Reply #5

6. Sorry, I do not know of any other

software that will display this information.

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Why Syzygy

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Sat May-02-09 11:47 PM
Response to Reply #6

7. Thanks, anyways.

Due to your suggestion, I'll look around for something like that.

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ChromeFoundry

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Sun May-03-09 06:43 PM
Response to Reply #7

8. Maybe this will work for you...

Vistumbler... I think it is only supported under Vista. Not sure what OS you are running.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/vistumbler/

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Why Syzygy

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Sun May-03-09 11:01 PM
Response to Reply #8

10. Thanks.

I run XP SP3. My speed issue has been resolved for now. I'll still want to choose a different channel when I can call TW during the day.

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Why Syzygy

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Sun May-03-09 11:00 PM
Response to Reply #1

9. Malwarebytes

found some crap from "Ascentive" today. The folders were all dated a few years ago. But, once I got that stuff cleaned up, I'm back to the higher signal and my former speeds.

When I called TW Friday, I was put in que to be put in que! I didn't hold.

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