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General discussion

Can see wireless signal, but can't connect - Why?

Apr 7, 2005 12:17AM PDT

Hi. I'm studying in a college, where we have wireless network connection (802.11b) for us to surf the net etc. The Access Points are the open-air type, they are located outside buildings, mounted high up.

Frequently, it happens that we can see the wireless signal (quite strong, 4 out of 5 bars in Windows XP), but we cannot connect to it. In the WZC, we'll always see Connection Failed, and a balloon popping up at the system tray saying that cannot connect to the wireless network. It is the same if we use Intel PROSet/Wireless Software on notebooks and DLink Sitesurvey on Desktop systems.

I found out that just by switching off d wireless access point, and switching it on back, things become functional again.

Of course, off-ing and on-ing the access point does solve the problem, but I was wondering, could there be a permanent cure for it? What is wrong with it? I hope you could provide suggestions so I could inform the Network Administrator to fix it. (I off and on the AP now because the Network Administrator takes ages to fix things... I told them many times before of this problem, and just getting them to make the system back and running takes up to..... weeks?)

I do not have information about the brand of the Access Point because it is mounted high up. However, this wireless access point is part of an extended wireless network setup, with its neighbouring access points being set to channels 6 and 11 (this access point is itself set to channel 1).


Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Here's one item.
Apr 7, 2005 12:27AM PDT

Most WAPs allow up to 32 users per WAP and your post could result if the WAP is full.

Best of luck.

Bob

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But....
Apr 8, 2005 3:15AM PDT

Hi Bob, thanks for your reply.

But from what I know, when we cannot connect to the wireless signal, I asked around all of my friends in the college sharing the same access point, none of them can connect to the wireless access point. The AP seems to have 0 users.

Furthermore, on good days, we do seem to have more than 32 users... Of course it is slow, but at least it is still usable.... Our college cannot afford more APs for us.

So what do you think of this?

Thanks.

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At 0 users, it's busted and your stuff isn't.
Apr 8, 2005 3:25AM PDT

With all you've written about the AP make/model and such, I'm sure someone can tell you more than I can.

Bob