[motbot]

Hi,

Thank you for taking time to read this. My friend (who lives next door and less than 150 feet away) just got a high speed Comcast cable wireless modem and said I could access it, gave me the WEP pwd, SO wanting to save a bit each month I thought I'd try it only it seems to be a weak signal, -88. It does connect, and what I have and reset was bellsouth dsl. Should I keep the bellsouth dsl or should I buy a $150 netgear widget to boost the signal from the wireless home network gateway through Comcast that my friend offered?

I got connected to the Comcast gateway, was online for a few hours and then when the power went out for ten seconds or so, which happens often here, the "network adapter could not connect..."
If you were in my shoes, would you buy something to connect to the network or let it go?

The following is what is there after redoing dsl. What does the media disconnected part mean?

Do I need to keep Dhcp enabled re
What does ethernet wireless adapter mean and how is that different from the Dlink network adapter (G122 ver. B1) that I have plugged it usb?

THANK YOU I've spent hours trying to figure this out over the last few days.

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Carmen Higgins>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : FAMILY
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : 192.168.1.254

Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection 3:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : D-Link AirPlus G DWL-G122 Wireless U
SB Adapter(rev.B)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-13-46-E4-F5-50

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : 192.168.1.254
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connecti
on
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-13-20-14-7C-8B
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.100
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.254
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, August 14, 2007 6:02:18 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Wednesday, August 15, 2007 6:02:18 P
M

C:\Documents and Settings\Carmen Higgins>

[TerryNet]

I'm sure that Comcast's policy does not permit a subscriber to share the connection with a neighbor. So, what you are really asking is whether you should (continue to) subscribe to your own internet connection or steal from Comcast. I advise the former.

And even if somebody wants to advise the steal option, it is against forum rules to help you with that.

[motbot]

Hi all and Terry,
I was not thinking about how much that sounded like stealing when it isn't. I've even been on the phone with Comcast as I said friend for simplicity's sake, was tired, wasn't thinking about how it sounded. The truth is I manage the apartments and she is the owner and has bought a commercial account from Comcast to have a network here for up to 5 computers. I'm so sorry I wasn't clear. I have been on the phone with Comcast and they said it should work although my friend who lives a few miles away said he had to buy a stronger router for his home network in his house and that the signal isn't as strong as they say it should be. Comcast knows I can connect to it and is not upset because I live where I do and manage these apartments which is covered under her network account. I wish I had posted when I wasn't so tired. We want people to be able to log on with her WEP password, which she gave to me, and said I could also use. Will the guests here get dropped alot unless their laptops are good ones? Can someone try to answer my questions? I'm so sorry Terry for not being clear and assure you this is not stealing.

TIA
Linda

[TerryNet]

"... a commercial account from Comcast to have a network here for up to 5 computers."

That makes a big difference, Linda. (sounds sarcastic, but I mean it straightforward)

There are people on this forum much more qualified to advise on that, but I'll offer my views.

For that distance you'll probably need a hi-gain and/or directional antenna. Depending on the layout of the apartments that may be enough. For example, if they all have a window facing the router/antenna they should each work equally well. But if, say, one apartment is "hidden" by another 2 or 3, you would probably need some sort of "repeater" or "extender" on your end.

About the best I can suggest is to buy a $150 netgear widget or better antenna from a place that will allow you to return it with no questions asked. Then try the connection from your place and each of the other potential destinations.

The "Media disconnected" means that the wireless was not connected at that time.

I've learned that when I see "Ethernet adapter Wireless ..." I need to just ignore the "ethernet" as soon as seeing "wireless." I have no idea why "ethernet" is included in the ipconfig. In the ipconfig it is the title introducing the wireless information; it is not different from your USB adapter, which is explicitly identified 2 lines later.

I don't understand your "Do I need to keep Dhcp enabled re."

Hope this helps you a bit more than my previous response.
Terry

[JohnWill]

Hawking Tech has a number of products that will help you increase your wireless range. The root page is Hawking Hi-Gain™ WiFi Range Extending Products.

Some of the more interesting products are this Hawking [HSB2] Hi-Gain WiFi Signal Booster, which can be used on either end of a wireless connection to boost the signal power.

Another way to increase your signal strength is by the use of hi-gain antennas. You can choose from omni-directional or directional models, here are a couple of examples.

Hawking [HAI7SIP] Hi-Gain 7dBi Omni-Directional Antenna

Hawking [HAI15SC] Hi-Gain 15dBi Corner Antenna