La Zona Muerta.

September 13, 2008 6:07 AM

I came home yesterday to find that we've now got internet in our house - great. The only problem is, though I'm able to get a perfect signal in the sitting room, which is where the wireless router is situated, if I go the five metres or so from there to my bedroom, the connection rapidly deteriorates to the point that I can't even open Metafilter. I'm running a Macbook with a fully-udated version of Tiger, so what gives?

I should mention that the signal bar is FULL, even in the bedroom. However, though there's a long list of wireless networks that appear when I'm in the sitting room, this list dwindles to five or six once I get to my room. It's unusual because I *always* seem to pick up a signal when other people are unable. I used to be under the impression that my Mac had been gifted with an overly potent Wifi card. And now this?

I live in a fairly old suburban Barcelona apartment block. In between the sitting room and the bedroom are a lavatory and kitchen. To my knowledge, my room is not lined with lead.

One suggestion I read from someone was to ensure the router is broadcasting on a specific channel, as opposed to auto. I just checked, though, and it's connected to Channel 6.

I'd appreciate any help.

posted by Zé Pequeno to Computers & Internet (18 answers total)

Do you have a portable phone whose frquency might be interfering?
posted by sunshinesky at 6:15 AM on September 13, 2008

Response by poster: No, sunshinesky. There's a telephone right next to it, but it's not portable... Thanks for the quick reply, though.
posted by Zé Pequeno at 6:20 AM on September 13, 2008

Try changing the frequency. It's possible a router in a neighboring flat is interfering.

It's also possible that the walls in your apartment are interfering. Is there a straight eyeline between you and the router?
posted by mkultra at 6:28 AM on September 13, 2008

Response by poster: No, there's a narrow corridor. I can see it if I stick my head out of the door, but that's it. What should I change the frequency to?
posted by Zé Pequeno at 6:30 AM on September 13, 2008

The walls could be plaster on metal lath, which might scatter the signal.
posted by beagle at 6:31 AM on September 13, 2008 [1 favorite]

Seconding beagle's suggestion of stuff in the walls. Check out this response to a previous Ask MeFi question.
posted by DLWM at 6:39 AM on September 13, 2008 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: In which case, beagle, is there any way to work around this? Or am I screwed?
posted by Zé Pequeno at 6:39 AM on September 13, 2008

Try changing to a different channel. Just about every current wireless router defaults to channel 6.
posted by JaredSeth at 6:41 AM on September 13, 2008

Response by poster: The weirdest thing is, though, that the signal bar indicates that the signal strength is excellent. Hmmmm.
posted by Zé Pequeno at 6:54 AM on September 13, 2008

You mentioned the Macbook is fully updated, but is the firmware for the wireless router fully updated? I did that for my girlfriend and our wireless problems cleared up.
posted by sharkfu at 7:12 AM on September 13, 2008

Response by poster: I'll try all of these recommendations as soon as I get home. Thanks a lot, and if anyone else feels free to suggest anything, please feel free.
posted by Zé Pequeno at 8:02 AM on September 13, 2008

There are signal boosters for wireless routers. Also better antennas. Either one might do it for you.
posted by JimN2TAW at 8:50 AM on September 13, 2008

Rather than just blindly switching channels, download something like iStumbler and take a look at which channels your neighbours are actually using. Then pick a channel as far away from other high-strength channels as possible.
posted by kickingtheground at 9:19 AM on September 13, 2008

If it's blocked by something in the walls, there's probably no way to fix it unless a different channel works. I had this problem with metallic foil insulation on my basement ceiling, which blocked anything in and out of the basement.
posted by beagle at 9:24 AM on September 13, 2008

I'd check the antenna connector on the wireless card, inside the battery compartment, too.

I fixed a friend'd unit by making sure it was seated, and he was having a similar problem. Sounds to me like you are living without an antenna on your laptop.

Email me if you have trouble finding it.
posted by FauxScot at 12:55 PM on September 13, 2008

if I go the five metres or so from there to my bedroom, the connection rapidly deteriorates to the point that I can't even open Metafilter.

Most likely you have something in your walls that is causing the trouble on top of the fact that you area is saturated with wireless communications.

Did you try channel 1 or 11 yet?

If that doesnt help then mount this on your router at point it at your bedroom.
posted by damn dirty ape at 8:55 PM on September 13, 2008

Try to make the line from where you are in the bedroom to the router perpendicular to the walls. This will minimize the distance the signal has to travel through the wall and how much it decays.
posted by signal at 9:19 PM on September 13, 2008

Response by poster: Thanks everybody for the responses. I switched to Channel 13 and now it's working fine.

Thank God for Metafilter ;)
posted by Zé Pequeno at 2:11 AM on September 14, 2008