[Steve]

I just got back from college and setup my computer to access our Airport (single USB) wireless network. I was having problems connecting from my PC, so I changed the network to 40-bit encryption (I believe it was at 128bit encryption... but the original base stations don't support this, right?). The PC connects just fine now, but the problem is that our PowerBook (667mhz, DVI) and our new 12" iBook are having terrible reception problems. The PB will drop it's connection 15 feet away from the base station (with a direct line of sight) and our iBook is much better, but will have a shakey connection after 40 feet or so.

I've changed channels on the network and played with some other settings, but nothing seems to work. I'm just trying to find out how to get reception back to what it was without adding any new hardware or tweaking any of the hardware.

Thanks.

[ghporter]

As long as you have new AirPort software-not more than a year or two old-your ABS should handle 128-bit encryption fine.

Encryption shouldn't have the kind of effect on reception you're describing. In most cases, you won't be able to see the base station from your client if the encryption doesn't match.

One issue may be the kind of key you entered. If you entered a key in the PC, it was probably in hex format. You have to go a bit out of your way to tell AirPort equipment you're entering hex keys-prefix the key with "$" (without the quotes, of course). Sometimes a key mismatch will show up as intermittent connections, but you really won't be "connected;" the client will simply detect the base station and try to connect, but will fail.

[Steve]

Thanks for the advice, GHPorter. I'm not sure what I did, but the signal strength is back to normal and everyone is happy.

[ghporter]

Your problem could easily have been interference from some local source that has now gone away-like a neighbor who decided he hated his 2.4GHz cordless phone...

Anyway, I'm glad you're up and running.