Wireless networks

Was trying to help somebody setup a wireless network
last night. They had a Netgear router and a Linksys PCI
card in the desktop. I think it was an 802.11b setup.
From my observation the router was up + running but it didn't
see the client computer. Now the client computer apparently
see's the router with 50% signal strength but will not connect.
It seems to connect with another wireless router in the
neighborhood! Any suggestions? Should you stay with the same brand
components?

I didn't get to involved since this was a non paying GIG but i wanted
the experience.

The best part was when the young lady told me she had trouble
understanding the tech support people speaking to her. So much for
offshore tech support.

Gary

havinfun69nospam@yahoo.com

Make sure that your (her) wireless access point has a Site Specific ID
(SSID) set rather than accepting 'ANY' connection. Also enable Wired
Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption, set up the encryption keys and then
make sure that the Linksys card is configured with identical settings - oh,
and if the host PC is running Win XP, make sure XP is NOT set to manage the
wireless connections. Sometimes removing the QoS packet scheduler from the
network setup configuration helps.

Good luck - let us know how you get on.

NK

Nigel Kendrick