Is it the Thinkpad or the router?

[Skysurfer]

Hi,

I have a T43 and a popular Linksys WiFi router, both just over 3 years old, and the WiFi signal jumps all over the place. Usually from 54Mbps to 24Mbps. On a couple of occasions, the signal dropped to just 1Mbps. As long as I've owned that router there has always been some daily swings in the signal, but lately it seems second-by-second. I've tried adjusting the Access Connections settings, but nothing seems to help.

Is the most likely culprit the T43 or the router? And what kind of signal swings are normal?

(BTW, the two devices are less than 15 feet apart with no obstructions.)

Thanks,

Lawrence

[Marin85]

Try these wifi power management tweaks out (you might find helpful to read the whole thread) and see if some of them resolve the problem.

[rkawakami]

Assuming that you do not have another WiFi-enabled system to verify that the same bandwidth dropouts do or don't occur on that one too, and also assuming that you are living in a high-density housing situation (i.e., an apartment), I'd have to suggest that you try looking around your neighborhood for any other WiFi access point (AP) that is transmitting on the same channel as yours. I'm not sure if Access Connections can report on what channels are in use (I don't use that utility) but if it does, then compare the relative signal strengths of the APs that are using the same channel as you. In North America, there's really only three non-overlapping channels for 802.11b and 802.11g systems; 1, 6 and 11. Try switching to the channel that has the weakest signals that you can pick up.

A popular tool that can be used with some wireless cards is Network Stumbler: http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/

It can give you a list of channels being used in your area and display a bar graph showing the signal strength of the APs. In addition, it shows which APs are using encryption and which ones are totally open. Speaking of which, are you using any kind of encryption?

[beGi]

Just to add something regarding NetStumbler, it recognizes if network is encrypted or not but does NOT differentiate encryption type (it reports that every network that is encrypted uses WEP)...

Other than that, very nice tool, and can give you lot of info...

[killer]

EMI (Electro Magentic Interference) can play havoc with routers and Thinkpads. Changing channels on your router is a good start. Maybe search for what channels other routers within range are using.

Also try moving the router away from its current setting. Any thing electrical can cause EMI.

[Harryc]

Just to add to what Ray is saying, you live in LA so cruise out to the nearest Starbucks and plop yourself down with the laptop and order a large mocha latte. Check your signal there. If it is steady, suspect your home router or as Ray was saying local interference. If the signal still jumps all around, replace the WiFi card.