Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Multiply available wireless networks for laptop

Dec 2, 2003 7:26AM PST

I am running a wireless network in my apartment. I actually only have a laptop that uses the wireless capability of my Linksys 4 port/Wireless DSL router. I have my WEP enabled and my SSID broadcast disabled. My laptop has no problem connecting although the signal is usually low because it's about 3 rooms away from the router.

Yesterday I guess my neighbor upstairs got a wireless internet connection because his connection shows up as one that is available for my laptop. My problem is that when I am on my network wirelessly thru the laptop, it periodically kicks me off and says that my neighbor's connection is available. My assumption is his router is directly above where my laptop usually resides because the signal strength is high where as my connection is low. I also assume that he is even newer to wireless networking than I because I can use his connection to surf the web which leads me to believe he doesn't read about securing his network. LOL!

Is there a way for my laptop to not search for this other connection? I heard that XP looks for the strongest signal which means his wireless will continually be selected over mine.

Thanks.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Re:Multiply available wireless networks for laptop
Dec 2, 2003 7:56AM PST
- Collapse -
Re:Re:Multiply available wireless networks for laptop
Dec 4, 2003 5:44AM PST

Ok, I changed the channel on the router and on the laptop wireless card but I still get periodically disconnected. I can also still see the neighbor's wireless network as available.

I will be visiting thy neighbor to teach him about turning off his broadcast but I figured for sure there would be a way to accept one connection and not worry about the others with this wonderful new OS of XP.

Again, I'm no network person so any other suggestions are greatly appreciated. It's quite frustrating!

Thanks as always.

- Collapse -
From what channel to now?
Dec 4, 2003 6:24AM PST

If you review the article you learn that there are only 3 channels that don't overlap. You also need to master the wifi card in question to tell it not to change channels to search.

Disconnects are part of wifi. You can try fixing the speed to the lowest speed to see if this helps. Repositioning the WAP is also up to you.

Bob

- Collapse -
Stop Windows from Managing the network maybe-definately
Dec 4, 2003 7:24AM PST

You seem very familliar with settings so i will be slighty vague. On your lan connection for the wireless network, disable the option that lets windows manage the network. If you have the software for the nic, use it.

Therefore...disable win management----install nic software <u>if</u> necessary.

Right-Click/Properties on the lan connection inside of Network connections in the control panel. I cant remember what tab off the top of my head as i dont have a wireless connection right now. I think it is on the wireless tab,lol

Maybe send your neighbor a message that is indentifyable to you, maybe use net send or something,lol

It seems that windows and the software are trying to manage the connection at the same time, or windows if having a prob dealing with the network......seen this about 5-6 times

any probs....try back and i will find a wireless network or info for you here.

BA

- Collapse -
Re:Stop Windows from Managing the network maybe-definately
Dec 7, 2003 2:37AM PST

Okay, I unchecked the let windows manage my network radio button. It worked for about a day with no problems. I turned off the computer and took it with me to a friend's house that doesn't have any internet connection to show some things on my laptop. The next day I turned it back on and was able to connect to my wireless network but not without disconnections. It keeps finding that other guys signal, disconnecting me and saying "one or more network connections is available". I know disconnections are common with wifi but I never got disconnected before my neighbor got wireless unless my router loss connection but then that affected my wire connections as well.

It's frustrating and I'm about ready to smash the computer. LOL. Any more suggestions is greatly appreciated.