Wireless Network , no signal

[monkey boy 1]

Recently installed a Wireless network @ home so I can trawl the net in peace while my two sons can also use the internet in peace. I am using a Netgear router & the other 2 pc's have the corresponding wireless network cards in them.
So far all had been ok, Good signal from the router to the other 2 pc's but then over the past day or two, one of the pc's isn't picking up a signal, then after a little gentle coaxing & prodding, it picks us a weak signal from the router.
The signal from the router has to go through 1 breeze block wall to the 1st pc ( this has a good signal as it's in the next room about 6 feet in a straight line), The pc which doesn't pick up the signal is in the next room but one, another wall, this time a stud work wall and in a straight line is about 12 - 14 feet away.

Not sure if it's atmospherics that have caused the prob or if one of the cards may be going down, though they are only 2 months old.

Any advice on what to do ? Can you get booster aerials for either router or the network cards ?

cheers
MB

[mcflurry]

Maybe a neighbour has just gone online using the same channel as you?

[k50 del]

This happened with an install that I did for a friend (using a Netgear router as well) problem turned out to be caused by the aerial atop the base unit being moved, and compounded by a picture fastened to the wall directly next to the base unit - moved the picture, straightened the aerial - max strength again

[monkey boy 1]

Cheers guys, I changed the network cable between the router & the host pc, which gave me a little more scope for placement of the router. Have now got 100% signal on one pc & anything between 57% & 78% signal on the other. It's still not perfect, but it's a lot better than before.
Thankyou all
MB

[pantscat]

Get a program called Netstumbler - (snapfiles.com ought to have it).

This will let you survey all other wireless networks within range (without connecting to them) so you can see if there's anyone else on the same channel.

[GregE240]

It does amaze me sometimes the number of people that just don't bother putting ANY sort of security on their WLAN.

I had my laptop on our dining table the other evening putting an auction for E-Bay together. It was only when I moved the mouse over the little wireless icon in the taskbar that I noticed I wasn't connected to "our" home WLAN - must have been a neighbours.

No security at all, must have just let me on....

[malman]

GregE240 said:

It does amaze me sometimes the number of people that just don't bother putting ANY sort of security on their WLAN. I had my laptop on our dining table the other evening putting an auction for E-Bay together. It was only when I moved the mouse over the little wireless icon in the taskbar that I noticed I wasn't connected to "our" home WLAN - must have been a neighbours. No security at all, must have just let me on....

straight to prison with you for bandwidth theft etc

[falcemob]

I've just scanned and managed to log on to someone else's network. I am just going to the cop shop to turn myself in.