Noob wireless questions

I just installed a linksys wireless router to take advantage of my
thinkpads built in wireless capability. As I write this I am connected
wirelessly so obviously I have it working. But I was wondering the
following:

I used the linksys online tool to configure my wireless router and also
the laptop. Right now my little network icon in the system tray says
that I am connected at 54 Mbps and that signal strength is excellent. I
tested the speed at speakeasy.net and had to try the speed test several
times to get it to work, then showed a download speed of 1339 kbps. My
wired PC typically shows speeds of 3Mbps, since the internet connection
is much slower than the wireless, it is the obvious bottleneck. Then why
is the laptops wireless connection that much slower than the wired
connection?

My Intel wireless connection status icon in the system tray says that
the radio is off and I am not connected, while obviously I am - what
gives here?

One last question - I secured the network using the linksys software,
but eventually I'd like it to require a password so that neighbors etc.
cant piggyback on, I cant find out how to do this with the linksys
software - how do I do this?


thanks in advance

Cye

"Cye" <> wrote in message news:NONXg.15030$P7.2640@edtnps89...
>I just installed a linksys wireless router to take advantage of my
>thinkpads built in wireless capability. As I write this I am connected
>wirelessly so obviously I have it working. But I was wondering the
>following:
>
> I used the linksys online tool to configure my wireless router and also
> the laptop. Right now my little network icon in the system tray says that
> I am connected at 54 Mbps and that signal strength is excellent. I tested
> the speed at speakeasy.net and had to try the speed test several times to
> get it to work, then showed a download speed of 1339 kbps. My wired PC
> typically shows speeds of 3Mbps, since the internet connection is much
> slower than the wireless, it is the obvious bottleneck. Then why is the
> laptops wireless connection that much slower than the wired connection?

Probably because of some interference - such as cordless phones, microwave,
etc.

>
> My Intel wireless connection status icon in the system tray says that the
> radio is off and I am not connected, while obviously I am - what gives
> here?

What do you mean radio is off?
>
> One last question - I secured the network using the linksys software, but
> eventually I'd like it to require a password so that neighbors etc. cant
> piggyback on, I cant find out how to do this with the linksys software -
> how do I do this?

I'm confused with this part. You say "I secured the network using the
linksys software". If you're
secured, you would have already selected a password within the security tab
of the linksys setup. Are
you sure you're encrypted or is the network security disable? You'll wanna
use WPA2 as it's more secure
than WEP.
>
>
> thanks in advance

Newtechie

Hi
As far as Speed is concerned, may be this can Help.
http://www.ezlan.net/Internet_Speed.html
Wireless security setting is depending on a security key that is generated
by pass phrase.
Any one that is given by you the pass phrase or the actual security key
string can use it to configure his/her Wireless computer and access your
Wireless. http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"Cye" <> wrote in message news:NONXg.15030$P7.2640@edtnps89...
>I just installed a linksys wireless router to take advantage of my
>thinkpads built in wireless capability. As I write this I am connected
>wirelessly so obviously I have it working. But I was wondering the
>following:
>
> I used the linksys online tool to configure my wireless router and also
> the laptop. Right now my little network icon in the system tray says that
> I am connected at 54 Mbps and that signal strength is excellent. I tested
> the speed at speakeasy.net and had to try the speed test several times to
> get it to work, then showed a download speed of 1339 kbps. My wired PC
> typically shows speeds of 3Mbps, since the internet connection is much
> slower than the wireless, it is the obvious bottleneck. Then why is the
> laptops wireless connection that much slower than the wired connection?
>
> My Intel wireless connection status icon in the system tray says that the
> radio is off and I am not connected, while obviously I am - what gives
> here?
>
> One last question - I secured the network using the linksys software, but
> eventually I'd like it to require a password so that neighbors etc. cant
> piggyback on, I cant find out how to do this with the linksys software -
> how do I do this?
>
>
> thanks in advance

Jack \(MVP-Networking\).

Cye wrote:
> I just installed a linksys wireless router to take advantage of my
> thinkpads built in wireless capability. As I write this I am connected
> wirelessly so obviously I have it working. But I was wondering the
> following:
>
> I used the linksys online tool to configure my wireless router and also
> the laptop. Right now my little network icon in the system tray says
> that I am connected at 54 Mbps and that signal strength is excellent. I
> tested the speed at speakeasy.net and had to try the speed test several
> times to get it to work, then showed a download speed of 1339 kbps. My
> wired PC typically shows speeds of 3Mbps, since the internet connection
> is much slower than the wireless, it is the obvious bottleneck. Then why
> is the laptops wireless connection that much slower than the wired
> connection?
>
> My Intel wireless connection status icon in the system tray says that
> the radio is off and I am not connected, while obviously I am - what
> gives here?
>
> One last question - I secured the network using the linksys software,
> but eventually I'd like it to require a password so that neighbors etc.
> cant piggyback on, I cant find out how to do this with the linksys
> software - how do I do this?
>
>
> thanks in advance
Make sure that you don't have the Intel utility for controlling the
laptop's wifi adapter active at the same time you have Windows WZC
active. You can only use one of these utilities (at a time) to control
the adapter. If both are running (do you have 2 icons in the status
tray that relate to your wireless connection?) this may be why the Intel
utility is confused about the status of your adapter. In this
screenshot, the WZC icon is the one to the left of the "M"
http://www.winsupersite.com/images/r...ireless_01.gif

--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

Lem

Lem wrote:
> Cye wrote:
>> I just installed a linksys wireless router to take advantage of my
>> thinkpads built in wireless capability. As I write this I am connected
>> wirelessly so obviously I have it working. But I was wondering the
>> following:
>>
>> I used the linksys online tool to configure my wireless router and
>> also the laptop. Right now my little network icon in the system tray
>> says that I am connected at 54 Mbps and that signal strength is
>> excellent. I tested the speed at speakeasy.net and had to try the
>> speed test several times to get it to work, then showed a download
>> speed of 1339 kbps. My wired PC typically shows speeds of 3Mbps, since
>> the internet connection is much slower than the wireless, it is the
>> obvious bottleneck. Then why is the laptops wireless connection that
>> much slower than the wired connection?
>>
>> My Intel wireless connection status icon in the system tray says that
>> the radio is off and I am not connected, while obviously I am - what
>> gives here?
>>
>> One last question - I secured the network using the linksys software,
>> but eventually I'd like it to require a password so that neighbors
>> etc. cant piggyback on, I cant find out how to do this with the
>> linksys software - how do I do this?
>>
>>
>> thanks in advance
> Make sure that you don't have the Intel utility for controlling the
> laptop's wifi adapter active at the same time you have Windows WZC
> active. You can only use one of these utilities (at a time) to control
> the adapter. If both are running (do you have 2 icons in the status
> tray that relate to your wireless connection?) this may be why the Intel
> utility is confused about the status of your adapter. In this
> screenshot, the WZC icon is the one to the left of the "M"
> http://www.winsupersite.com/images/r...ireless_01.gif
>
I have that icon, as well as the green bar icon in that image showing.
The green bar one is the Intel Pro/Wireless 2915ABG Network. Right now
it is showing I am connected to my wireless network, as is the little
monitor icon with the radio waves. However this is not always the case.

Cye

Cye wrote:

> Lem wrote:
>
>> Cye wrote:
>>
>>> I just installed a linksys wireless router to take advantage of my
>>> thinkpads built in wireless capability. As I write this I am
>>> connected wirelessly so obviously I have it working. But I was
>>> wondering the following:
>>>
>>> I used the linksys online tool to configure my wireless router and
>>> also the laptop. Right now my little network icon in the system tray
>>> says that I am connected at 54 Mbps and that signal strength is
>>> excellent. I tested the speed at speakeasy.net and had to try the
>>> speed test several times to get it to work, then showed a download
>>> speed of 1339 kbps. My wired PC typically shows speeds of 3Mbps,
>>> since the internet connection is much slower than the wireless, it is
>>> the obvious bottleneck. Then why is the laptops wireless connection
>>> that much slower than the wired connection?
>>>
>>> My Intel wireless connection status icon in the system tray says that
>>> the radio is off and I am not connected, while obviously I am - what
>>> gives here?
>>>
>>> One last question - I secured the network using the linksys software,
>>> but eventually I'd like it to require a password so that neighbors
>>> etc. cant piggyback on, I cant find out how to do this with the
>>> linksys software - how do I do this?
>>>
>>>
>>> thanks in advance
>>
>> Make sure that you don't have the Intel utility for controlling the
>> laptop's wifi adapter active at the same time you have Windows WZC
>> active. You can only use one of these utilities (at a time) to
>> control the adapter. If both are running (do you have 2 icons in
>> the status tray that relate to your wireless connection?) this may be
>> why the Intel utility is confused about the status of your adapter.
>> In this screenshot, the WZC icon is the one to the left of the "M"
>> http://www.winsupersite.com/images/r...ireless_01.gif
>>
> I have that icon, as well as the green bar icon in that image showing.
> The green bar one is the Intel Pro/Wireless 2915ABG Network. Right now
> it is showing I am connected to my wireless network, as is the little
> monitor icon with the radio waves. However this is not always the case.

Do either of these KB articles apply to you?

"Wireless Connection Unavailable" Message After Computer Resumes from
Standby http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810020/en-us

Your computer may indicate that your wireless network connection is
unavailable after you resume your computer from hibernation in Windows
XP http://support.microsoft.com/kb/885293/en-us
--
Lem -- MS-MVP - Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

Lem

On an IBM system it is normal to have both the WZC icon (the little monitor
icon with the radio waves) an Intel icon showing the signal strength, and
the ThinkVantage Access Connections icon displayed all at the same time in
my experience. You might want to try un-installing the Intel software,
shutting down your computer. Then Powering it back up and installing the
Intel software again.

--
David Hettel

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

DISCLAIMER: This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
confers no rights


"Lem" <> wrote in message
news:%...
> Cye wrote:
>> I just installed a linksys wireless router to take advantage of my
>> thinkpads built in wireless capability. As I write this I am connected
>> wirelessly so obviously I have it working. But I was wondering the
>> following:
>>
>> I used the linksys online tool to configure my wireless router and also
>> the laptop. Right now my little network icon in the system tray says that
>> I am connected at 54 Mbps and that signal strength is excellent. I tested
>> the speed at speakeasy.net and had to try the speed test several times to
>> get it to work, then showed a download speed of 1339 kbps. My wired PC
>> typically shows speeds of 3Mbps, since the internet connection is much
>> slower than the wireless, it is the obvious bottleneck. Then why is the
>> laptops wireless connection that much slower than the wired connection?
>>
>> My Intel wireless connection status icon in the system tray says that the
>> radio is off and I am not connected, while obviously I am - what gives
>> here?
>>
>> One last question - I secured the network using the linksys software, but
>> eventually I'd like it to require a password so that neighbors etc. cant
>> piggyback on, I cant find out how to do this with the linksys software -
>> how do I do this?
>>
>>
>> thanks in advance
> Make sure that you don't have the Intel utility for controlling the
> laptop's wifi adapter active at the same time you have Windows WZC active.
> You can only use one of these utilities (at a time) to control the
> adapter. If both are running (do you have 2 icons in the status tray
> that relate to your wireless connection?) this may be why the Intel
> utility is confused about the status of your adapter. In this screenshot,
> the WZC icon is the one to the left of the "M"
> http://www.winsupersite.com/images/r...ireless_01.gif
>
> --
> Lem MS MVP -- Networking
>
> To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

David Hettel

First, thank you for asking a smart question. Questions with lots of
details go a long way in finding smart answers.

Cye wrote:

> I used the linksys online tool to configure my wireless router and also
> the laptop. Right now my little network icon in the system tray says
> that I am connected at 54 Mbps and that signal strength is excellent. I
> tested the speed at speakeasy.net and had to try the speed test several
> times to get it to work, then showed a download speed of 1339 kbps. My
> wired PC typically shows speeds of 3Mbps, since the internet connection
> is much slower than the wireless, it is the obvious bottleneck. Then why
> is the laptops wireless connection that much slower than the wired
> connection?

To get a representative idea of what your connection can do, try from
several different test sites several different times, and try at different
times of day (3AM to sites in the same timezones as few router hops away
from you as possible (tracert can tell you how many hops you are from any
site as long as it's answering to ping) will probably give you the best
results).

Wired connections outperforms wireless in most cases (major exceptions being
situations like your wifi is 802.11g (54Mbps) and your wired network is
802.3 (10Mbps)). If you're using a wifi router, you're adding a router hop
between you and your DSL bridge, so that's going to add a little overhead.
Your test site might also be a little crowded, contributing to the squeeze.

> My Intel wireless connection status icon in the system tray says that
> the radio is off and I am not connected, while obviously I am - what
> gives here?

Possible problems with the Intel driver? Your best bet on figuring that one
out is going to http://support.intel.com/ and checking with them.
Microsoft didn't write Intel's drivers. If it's an internal wifi chipset
and not a PC Card, you might want to give the company that made your laptop
a call or check their support website first to make sure it's not something
particular to that OEM's spin on Intel's chipset before checking with
Intel. You can call Intel for free at +1 (800) 538-3373 in the US.

> One last question - I secured the network using the linksys software,
> but eventually I'd like it to require a password so that neighbors etc.
> cant piggyback on, I cant find out how to do this with the linksys
> software - how do I do this?

Linksys can walk you through it for free, they're open 24 hours. In the
United States, their phone number is +1 (800) 326-7114. You can also find
them online at http://support.linksys.com/

P. Johnson