33
N Wireless USB Network Adapter
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TroUBleSHooTINg
Problem:
Signal strength is poor .
Solution:
Wireless technology is radio-based, which means connectivity and
the throughput performance between devices decreases when the
distance between devices increases . Other factors that will cause signal
degradation (metal is generally the worst culprit) are obstructions such
as walls and metal appliances . As a result, the typical indoor range
of your wireless devices will be between 100 to 200 feet . Note also
that connection speed may decrease as you move farther from the
wireless router (or access point) . In order to determine if wireless issues
are related to range, we suggest temporarily moving the computer, if
possible, to five to 10 feet away from wireless router (or access point) .
Changing the wireless channel
– Depending on local wireless traffic
and interference, switching the wireless channel of your network can
improve performance and reliability . The default channel the router is
shipped with is channel 6 . You may choose from several other channels
depending on your region; see your router’s (or access point’s) user
manual for instructions on how to choose other channels .
limiting the wireless transmit rate
– Limiting the wireless transmit
rate can help improve the maximum wireless range, and connection
stability . Most wireless cards have the ability to limit the transmission
rate . To change this property, go to the Windows Control Panel, open
“Network Connections” and double-click on your Adapter’s connection .
In the “Properties” dialog, select the “Configure” button on the “General”
tab (Windows 98 users will have to select the USB Network Adapter in
the list box and then click “Properties”), then choose the “Advanced”
tab and select the rate property . Wireless client cards are usually set to
automatically adjust the wireless transmit rate for you, but doing so can
cause periodic disconnects when the wireless signal is too weak; as a
rule, slower transmission rates are more stable . Experiment with different
connection rates until you find the best one for your environment;
note that all available transmission rates should be acceptable for
browsing the Internet . For more assistance, see your wireless card’s
literature . If issues persist even at close range, please contact Belkin
Technical Support .
