Computer Question (simple answer I'm sure).

March51

For quite some time before Christmas I'd been having trouble connecting to the net, and then when I had connected, losing it again, together with other problems. As some of you are aware I don't get on with IT stuff, and I have just put up with what's been going on. But now I'm really puzzled: Following the festivities Mrs.M had a big tidy up and shift round of stuff, one of which was the moving of the laptop what I use and now it's working almost perfectly, still a bit slow to load but otherwise fine: no crashing or disconnecting etc. . All that's happened is that it's been moved through 90 degrees (i.e it's at right angles to it's previous position) and is now in a north/south line as opposed to an east/west one. It has to connect to something called PAWAN 3, whatever that is, something it had a lot of trouble doing before. Any ideas on why it's suddenly behaving itself? (I's a Dell Inspiron 8600: the Missus was thinking of chucking it out but gave it to me instead).

Floyd Montana

feng shui in action, March mate!
(sorry I cant help with a real solution!)

superclive

hello march, are you using wireless connectivity to your router modem?

March51

Umm, I believe so, mate. I understand there is a modem located in the room directly above where the computer is located.

Covered End

If your laptop is wireless and the modem/router is upstairs, then it may be that you are getting a good "reception" by simply moving the laptop ie the aerial waves (reception) were not as good before - only educated guess mind you.

Swisdom

[cite]Posted By: Covered End[/cite]If your laptop is wireless and the modem/router is upstairs, then it may be that you are getting a good "reception" by simply moving the laptop ie the aerial waves (reception) were not as good before - only educated guess mind you.

this

basically the router is in a better place now

realistically the wireless signal should be strong enough to suit the largest house but it's not always the case

March51

Could be as simple as that CE, I didn't know we had a modem until I asked 'She who must be obeyed' just now. Still don't know what it does. Really must make an effort to gen up on all this IT lark!

T_C_E

Leaving a mobile anywhere close to the modem could cause issues.

March51

Didn't know that mate, will check it out, thanks.

T_C_E

Just had a quick look March mobiles,bluetooth,cordless phones and baby monitors all work on simular frequencies as a router.

Leroy Ambrose

Not only that, but having your wireless router next to a large metal object of any kind (such as a PC, for instance) will cane your wireless signal. Of course, being the superior alpha nerd that I am, I don't even use wireless (all the encryption schemes are either already far too insecure, or have the potential to be insecure (a bit less risk of someone nicking my data when they actually have to physically break in to my house, then into my man cave, plug into a switch and hardcode an IP address for my LAN!))

AshTray

Something worth hiding Leroy....? Or is it just 'research'?

Leroy Ambrose

[cite]Posted By: AshTray[/cite]Something worth hiding Leroy....? Or is it just 'research'?

Haha - a bit of both. Plenty of porn on there, but I couldn't give a toss about that. I do IT security consultancy privately as well though... it might be a bit embarrassing if anyone ever found out some of the information I know

Mainly though, I just don't want the local script kiddies fiddling about trying to get access to my network. I used to run a wireless honeypot (basically a 'fake' network advertised to passing ne'erdowells to see what tools they're using to try and hack into wlans - interesting research for the day job). Going back a while now, but the first time I watched some turd fire up a crack tool and rinse a WEP key in about 15 minutes was a real eye-opener for me regarding wireless LANs. I know that WPA2-PSK is 'allegedly' uncrackable - but they said that about WEP2 and WPA1 and that didn't last long. No encryption scheme is uncrackable - and the principle of not worrying because you aren't 'low hanging fruit' by running a decent encryption scheme doesn't wash with me.

creepyaddick

Tell the wife to stop touching things (but wait until she puts the flag back up!)

superclive

Yup all the things mentioned can have an effect. Picking up on leroys comments youi should check you have security turned on and it should be wpa 2 psk. I can give you some instructions to check this if you like. Leroy, there are tools out there that can check for rogue clients and aps on your wireless network but they are a bit pricey. Aruba is worth a look.

SoundAsa£

If you've any pooter problems you should run them by MOG.

PL54

F5 should fix it

Oggy Red

[cite]Posted By: SoundAsa£[/cite]If you've any pooter problems you should run them by MOG.

MoGGy's a wiz these days ...... if you can't do a link, just ask MoG.

;o)

Miserableoldgit

[cite]Posted By: SoundAsa£[/cite]If you've any pooter problems you should run them by MOG.

HAA !!
Apparently I'm only using 5% of my "Computer":
Don't know how to "Download" anything, can't get Sky on it,and would love to know how to use "DeskTop" (ie. writing letters,posters,etc....)
I can C&P and get CharltonLife tho'..............
;-)

ColinTat

Quality Leroy! Bedroom scientists are what made this country.

Miserablold-ish git, why don't you pop down your local library. They often have computer courses there for beginners, and if not they'll have local locations for you.

Red_in_SE8

It could be that at some point before xmas, when you first started having the problem, the modem upstairs was not on when you started up your laptop. This would have resulted in the wireless connection software on your laptop searching for the strongest unencrypted wireless connection available. This may have been a weak signal from a neighbours wifi several doors away. Subsequently, every time you switched your laptop on it connected to this weak unencrypted signal even though your own modem is now switched on. Then, at some point after xmas you switched your laptop on when this weak signal was not available so it connected via your modem resulting in a more stable connection again.

You should be able to confirm you are connecting via your own modem by using the 'View available networks' option which should be available from one of the icons at the bottom right of the screen.

SoundAsa£

[cite]Posted By: ColinTat[/cite]Quality Leroy! Bedroom scientists are what made this country.

Miserablold-ish git, why don't you pop down your local library. They often have computer courses there for beginners, and if not they'll have local locations for you.

A library...MOG in a library....LOL LOL LOL!!!

Miserableoldgit

Shhhhhhhhhhh Soundas..........

March51

Well, thanks for all the advice folks, I shall check it all out tonight (this is a flying lunch hour visit), but there are certainly one or two possible explanations there. As long as it's not the cabinets full of model buses and trams effecting things (Mrs. M. is always on about getting rid of 'em).

Oggy Red

[cite]Posted By: March51[/cite]As long as it's not the cabinets full of model buses and trams effecting things (Mrs. M. is always on about getting rid of 'em).

I bet all your model buses and trams have a destination board that reads, "Charlton Depot" .....?

;o)

March51

If only, Oggy: they'd be worth a fortune then!