What Could Be Causing Inconsistent Wireless Signal Strength?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on inconsistent wireless signal strength experienced with a D-Link DIR-655 Router in a home network setup. One laptop's signal fluctuates between 1Mbps and 38Mbps, particularly when located 50 feet from the router. Potential causes identified include distance, interference, and possibly the mix of draft N and G network cards. Recommendations include relocating the laptop closer to the router and considering the use of a range booster for improved connectivity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of wireless networking protocols, specifically 802.11g and draft N
  • Familiarity with D-Link DIR-655 Router specifications
  • Basic knowledge of network interference and signal strength factors
  • Awareness of wireless range extenders and their compatibility
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of distance on wireless signal strength
  • Learn about wireless network card specifications, focusing on draft N vs. G
  • Investigate options for wireless range extenders compatible with D-Link DIR-655
  • Explore troubleshooting techniques for wireless connectivity issues
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for home network users, IT professionals, and anyone troubleshooting wireless connectivity issues, particularly those using D-Link routers and experiencing signal strength variability.

RonL
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Installed a D-Link DIR-655 Router for my wireless network.
The network consist of 3 desktop computers, 3 laptops, and 1 Blu-ray (netflix setup).
The only problem is that one laptop has a signal strength that varies from (the high) that I have seen, 38Mbps down to 1Mbps.
The trend seems to always start at mid 20 and fall to 1 after a short time online, the room is in the back of the house about 50' away from the base unit.

Could this be a heat related problem ? or possible software conflicts ?
Thanks for any help.

Ron
 
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I haven't looked at the specific protocols used for wireless ethernet but I suspect there may be something built into progressively increase redundancy for low signal to noise ratioas, so it's possible that when you turn it on it assumes a low amount of redundancy, and then as the error correction codes start to detect tons of errors it adds in a whole bunch of redundancy which slows down the communication drastically. Try bringing the laptop closer to the wireless router so it has a better signal and see if the problem persists.
 
junglebeast said:
I haven't looked at the specific protocols used for wireless ethernet but I suspect there may be something built into progressively increase redundancy for low signal to noise ratioas, so it's possible that when you turn it on it assumes a low amount of redundancy, and then as the error correction codes start to detect tons of errors it adds in a whole bunch of redundancy which slows down the communication drastically. Try bringing the laptop closer to the wireless router so it has a better signal and see if the problem persists.

Sorry to take so long responding.:shy:

Thanks for your response, I don't understand much about what you described, but I do have the book " Microsoft Windows XP inside and out", the next step is to study about the things you mentioned above.
I did take one of the other laptops into the room (which is 85' away) and got the same response, so my guess is the distance and interference between the base and computer. My wife's netbook seems totally unaffected.

One other thought is to use a splitter in the line (100' from office to sunroom) to the blu ray unit, and install a range booster, wonder if anyone has ideas of this working?

Ron
 
Are all of your network cards draft N or are they a mix of G and N?
 
B. Elliott said:
Are all of your network cards draft N or are they a mix of G and N?

Looks like more to learn:smile:
The D-Link DIR-655 is draft N, backward compatible with 802.11g devises.

I checked online for wireless range extenders and on the d-link site they offered three units, of which none were compatable with my DIR-655 Router.

My wife has a long list of honey do's, guess this will carry over to next week.

Thanks
Ron
 

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