Gateway M520 User Guide Gateway M520 Notebook - Page 142

Your connection on the network seems intermittent. ■ In addition to other factors, the strength of a wireless connection is determined by the distance from the access point router and structural material that the signal must travel through (such as walls, cabinets, ceilings, and floors.) If you cannot relocate, see if you can improve the connection by changing the channel of the access point router. Your wireless network is running slower than you expect ■ If your wireless network is running slower than you expect, you should check your network signal strength. If you find the signal strength is low, try moving to a new location to increase the signal strength. Important Signal strength is affected by the distance between your wireless network devices, by radio interference, and by interference from natural obstructions such as walls, floors, and doors. To check the signal strength of your wireless network: 1 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Network and Internet Connections. The Network and Internet Connections window opens. 2 Click/Double-click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens. 3 Right-click Wireless Network Connection, then click Status. The Wireless Network Connection Status dialog box opens. The meter shows the signal strength for wireless networking on your computer if other computers with the same network name are within range of your computer. You can see the network, but cannot communicate, send files, print, or get to the Web. ■ If WEP is used by your access point router, go to the Windows XP Wireless Networking Properties window and make sure that both the WAP and the WLAN in the notebook have matching WEP keys. 136 www.gateway.com