"What I do not understand is why they charge a monthly fee of 7.95 for up to 4 computers." It may be that the contract you have with them now allows you to connect only a single PC and that they charge extra for multiple PCs to connect. That kind of pricing used to be more common when only propeller headed geeks had home networks, but home networks are pretty common these days, so charging extra seems unusual to me. I'd be in a bit of trouble if I were limited to 4 PCs. I think we've got 5 PCs, a Tivo, 2 game consoles, 2 handheld game systems and 2 iTouches that are all connected (or can be at various times). Fortunately, my ISP doesn't place any limit on the number of devices I connect.

I agree with Mike. You can't tell in advance how far a particular router will reach. It just depends on placement and what kinds of materials it has to go through. I had a router in an upstairs closet that I could get a good signal from when I was 150' away in my greenhouse, but it couldn't reach another location in my house that was about 40' away. I routinely detect wireless signals from my neighbors who are hundreds of feet away. You will probably have your best chance of success with an N-type router, like the one you have. One other thing: If you have an existing computer that already has a wireless card in it, see if it connects up to your new router without putting in a new card. Many routers are "backwards-compatible" and will work just fine with older cards. My new N-router does precisely that with my computers (which range in age from 9 years old to less than a year old).

He knows basicly where you go if he wants to look. All the Routers I have used keep Log files of the main url like this site would show as a connect to 'ths.gardenweb.com' and all the advertisers urls, but not the particular directory or page. He probably just changed ssid or some part of the security without thinking about you. Ask him ! if you enjoy the free access. If I were to allow a neighbor to use my wifi connections I certainly would look in log files from time to time to make sure you werent spending time at child porn sites nor hooked on regular porn or music or whatever larger or moving lots of bytes with down/up loads. If you were to get your neighbor arrested and all his computer stuff confiscated for being an internet pediophile or sending threating emails or something ... he might shoot you if he doesnt realize quickly that he can now own your house and cars with little effort.

zep516 - Now that you mention it I have at times (but not at the same time my laptop stopped working on the porch) had modem failures and comcast told me I probably needed to have it replaced. But it works fine for about three weeks and then goes down. So i've been lazy and haven't taken it in to swap it out. Comcast isn't my fav company to deal with. pkponder - I have wracked my brain and the only other thing that I know of that has changed is my ADT system got a trouble light a few weeks ago, maybe around the same time, but ADT told me that checking their records, they haven't had a signal from my home in a year... ADT is also not my favorite company since they continued to bill me. But the security system is wired not wireless, if that makes a difference. It is connected to my Comcast phone service though. mikie - Well, I do have an older, refurbished laptop so that could be possible. There is no way to check the internal reception, is there? And windows update has messed me up on other minor settings before. I will work on the things I have control over like the modem and the ethernet cable and see what happens. You guys (and gal) are awesome.