[lAwrencex]

when using my powerbook based off a wireless connection from the downstairs of my house i get terrible service. sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. sometimes i get 2 bars (which doesn't even bring websites up), or sometimes i get 4 bars. does anyone else have this problem with their powerbook and is there any remedy to increase the range?

[Dougmc]

Make sure that it's your network that your Powerbook is seeing, rather than possibly a neighbor's that is a bit further away, yet still in range.

If I open up my Powerbook in a certain area of my house, my Mac will sometimes latch onto the signal of a neighbor's network before it sees my own.

[lAwrencex]

no, unfortunately it's only latching onto my network. it's driving me crazy.

[amazing]

You'd get more suggestions in the networking forum.

Download iStumbler or MacStumbler, and use them to figure out which channel works better on your WAP as well as what location in the house gets better reception. Walking a few feet one direction or another can dramatically change reception (conduit in the walls, lots of stuff like that.) Also, depending on whether you've got 2.4 ghz cordless phones, etc.

Changing the location of your WAP is also measurable. Different brands of WAPS vary dramatically in wireless reception--my new Hawking next to my Buffalo Airstation gets better reception.