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A question about wireless connections

17 years ago

When I start up my laptop, I have my Dynex router and 3 other connections available. The Dynex always has the best connection... but the others work when the Dynex won't (most nights between 7 and 10:30). What are these other connections? Are they from my router or from my neighbors?

I still don't know why I am having a problem most nights getting my internet to work, I called customer support and they had me "ping" my internet address and I am getting a good signal. The internet works perfectly at other times.

I am currently on my laptop using one of the other connections. My regular computer is taking too long to load pages, as does the laptop using the Dynex conection.

My regular PC uses Firefox and XP. The laptop uses 2000 Professional and IE.

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Comments (4)

bpgreen
17 years ago
Those other connections are probably neighbors who aren't securing their wireless connections (you're securing yours, aren't you?

I don't understand why your router becomes available for three hours a night. Are you in an apartment building? Some phones can interfere with some wireless signals. Maybe somebody is getting on the phone at that time and messing up your signal.

Can you change the channel your router is using?
lydia1959
Original Author
17 years ago
How do you secure the connection?

I'm not in an apartment building, in fact I am in a subdivison where the smallest lots are 1 acre.. so I am not all that close to any of my neighbors.

I don't think someone would be on the phone 3 to 4 hours almost every night, but I guess it could happen.

I can't figure out how to change the channel on my router. According to the laptop, I am on channel 6 and the other connections are all on channel 1.
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bpgreen
17 years ago
"I don't think someone would be on the phone 3 to 4 hours almost every night"

You must not have a teenage daughter. :)

The phone interference would be most likely if it's in your house since you're not in an apartment. I don't know why you're dropping the connection every night.

Is there any other electronic equipment that gets turned on at your house during that time? Maybe something else is sending off signals that interfere.

Have you tried resetting the router when that happens? Turn it off, let it sit for a minute and turn it back on to see if that helps.

If you're on a 1 acre lot, I'm surprised that you're seeing your neighbors' connections.

To secure your connection, you'd need to go into the router setup and the wireless setup on your computer and set them both to use WPA (or WEP if that is all that is supported). The router should have instructions on how to do this. If not, post here and somebody can help.
lydia1959
Original Author
17 years ago
You must not have a teenage daughter. :) Actually I do. lol It would just be odd to talk on the phone for 3 hours every night for 4 nights, then not talk at all for the next 3. Sometimes I can connect with no problems for a entire week.

I thought it might be the dishwasher, but it's not that.

Thanks for the instructions. I'll mess with it next week when I have more time.

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