Wireless Net work question

Signal strength is not a constant, it is variable due to interference from overlapping wifi signals from other electronic devices, elec and magnetic fields from all elect appliances and devices, cordless phones, microwave ovens, etc.

Generally, the reported signal strength is not that accurate, but it's close in proximity to the actual signal strength. Rates have little to do w/ the amount of traffic on the network. If the rate is reported at 11 mbps then AT THAT TIME that is the max transfer rate.

Other connected devices can affect rates. For example, if one laptop has a 80211g card (capable of 54 mbps) and the other has a 80211b card (11 mbps) then ALL connected comps will have a max rate of 11 mbps because the router-access point will operate at 80211b for all clients when a 80211b client is connected.

 

You're welcome!
Note: If computer itself tends to run slow from time to time, meaning windows take longer to open and overall it's less responsive, then that could be cause by several things. The most frequent cause is spyware/malware/viruses. Lack of enough RAM also will make things slower. Poorly coded software also can affect comp efficiency.

If your system tends to run slower when connected to the Internet and you notice the network icon next to the clock going blinkedly-blink, and you are not using a Web browser or email, then you could have an undetected infection.

Some software auto-updates itself, such as Windows and antivirus pfrogram, and you may notive network activity even when the browser is closed. To be certain you are safe and secure, post a new thread in the Removing Spyware forum here.