CEO Computers, Inc. Newsletter
Improve your day-to-day efficiency
October 30, 2009
In This Issue
Wireless Network Tips
Use Equipment from One Manufacturer
Quick Links
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH
 
 Call CEO (818) 501-2281 for more information. 
 
 Windows 7 Home, Professional, and Ultimate
 
Windows Home Premium upgrade:  $119.99
 
Professional
upgrade: $199.99
 
Ultimate
upgrade:  $219.99
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For help in selecting your  new operating system, call CEO! 
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To analyze your computer's CPU usage, call CEO
 

Greetings! 

Happy Halloween - have a great day and evening.      clock
 
Remember, turn your clocks back before you go to sleep on Saturday night, October 31.  Standard time starts on November 1 at 2 am.  Most current computers will change automatically, but you probably will have to change some clocks manually. 
 
We do welcome guest columnists and would like to make this forum available to include articles relevant to computer users. We hope many of you will respond to our articles and offer to write for this newsletter.   Remember,  this newsletter is read by many businesspeople in the Valley.  Please send your article to cecile@ceocomputers.com
 
Sincerely,
 
Jamshid Javidi, President, CEO Computer
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 Tips to improve your wireless network
 
If Windows sends a message that you have a weak wireless signal, it probably means your connection isn't as fast or as reliable as it could be. Worse, you might lose your connection entirely in some areas of your home or office. If you're looking to improve the signal for your wireless network, try some of these tips to extend your wireless range and improve your wireless network performance.
 
 1. Position your wireless router (or wireless access point) in a central location.  When possible, place your wireless router in a central location in your home or office.  If your wireless router is against an outside wall, the signal could be weak on the other side of your home.
 
 2.  Move the router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects (such as metal file cabinets).  Metal, walls, and floors will interfere with your router's wireless signals. The closer your router is to these obstructions, the more severe the interference, and the weaker your connection will be.
 
3. Replace your router's antenna.  The antennas supplied with your router are designed to be omni-directional, meaning they broadcast in all directions around the router. If your router is near an outside wall, half of the wireless signals will be sent outside your home or office, and much of your router's power will be wasted. Most routers don't allow you to increase the power output, but you can make better use of the power. Upgrade to a hi-gain antenna that focuses the wireless signals only one direction. You can aim the signal in the direction you need it most.
 
4. Replace your computer's wireless network adapter.  Wireless network signals must be sent both to and from your computer. Sometimes, your router can broadcast strongly enough to reach your computer, but your computer can't send signals back to your router. To improve this, replace your laptop's PC card-based wireless network adapter with a USB network adapter that uses an external antenna. In particular, consider the Hawking Hi-Gain Wireless USB network adapter, which adds an external, hi-gain antenna to your computer and can significantly improve your range.

Laptops with built-in wireless typically have excellent antennas and don't need to have their network adapters upgraded.
 
 
5. Add a wireless repeater.  Wireless repeaters extend your wireless network range without requiring you to add any wiring. Just place the wireless repeater halfway between your wireless access point and your computer, and you'll get an instant boost to your wireless signal strength. Check out the wireless repeaters from ViewSonic, D-Link, Linksys, and Buffalo Technology.
 
 6. Change your wireless channel  Wireless routers can broadcast on several different channels, similar to the way radio stations use different channels. In the United States and Canada, these channels are 1, 6, and 11. Just like you'll sometimes hear interference on one radio station while another is perfectly clear, sometimes one wireless channel is clearer than others. Try changing your wireless router's channel through your router's configuration page to see if your signal strength improves. You don't need to change your computer's configuration, because it'll automatically detect the new channel.
 
 
7. Reduce wireless interference.  If you have cordless phones or other wireless electronics in your home, your computer might not be able to "hear" your router over the noise from the other wireless devices. To quiet the noise, avoid wireless electronics that use the 2.4GHz frequency. Instead, look for cordless phones that use the 5.8GHz or 900MHz frequencies.
 
8. Update your firmware or your network adapter driver.  Router manufacturers regularly make free improvements to their routers. Sometimes, these improvements increase performance. To get the latest firmware updates for your router, visit your router manufacturer's Web site.  Similarly, network adapter vendors occasionally update the software that Windows uses to communicate with your network adapter, known as the driver. These updates typically improve performance and reliability.

9. Pick equipment from a single vendor.  While a Linksys router will work with a D-Link network adapter, you often get better performance if you pick a router and network adapter from the same vendor. Some vendors offer a performance boost of up to twice the performance when you choose their hardware: Linksys has the SpeedBooster technology, and D-Link has the 108G enhancement.

10. Upgrade 802.11b devices to 802.11g.  802.11b is the most common type of wireless network, but 802.11g is about five times faster. 802.11g is backward-compatible with 802.11b, so you can still use any 802.11b equipment that you have. If you're using 802.11b and you're unhappy with the performance, consider replacing your router and network adapters with 802.11g-compatible equipment. If you're buying new equipment, definitely choose 802.11g.

Wireless networks never reach the theoretical bandwidth limits. 802.11b networks typically get 2-5Mbps. 802.11g is usually in the 13-23Mbps range. Belkin's Pre-N equipment has been measured at 37-42Mbps.
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Article by Tony Northrup - posted at Microsoft.com - edited by Cecile Bendavid
 
Some information about Tony Northrup

Tony Northrup is a writer, Internet engineer, and digital photography enthusiast. Tony has a decade of experience making networks and servers connected to the Internet run smoothly. He has authored and co-authored eight books about using Windows and has written dozens of articles about Internet technologies. When he's not on his deck writing, he plays with home-automation technologies and takes pictures for display in a Web photo album. He lives in the Boston area with his wife Erica and cat Sammy. You can learn more about Tony by visiting his Web site at http://www.northrup.org
  
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One Brand Equals Fewer Headaches 
Networking standards set by organizations such as the IEEE make it easier for manufacturers to produce devices that work with a variety of computers and peripherals.  In theory, such standards should benefit consumers as well because equipment from different manufacturers should work together when placed on the same network.  The reality, however, is that devices from different manufacturers - even if they follow the same standards - don't always work together perfectly.  This is because manufacturers sometimes introduce proprietary hardware and software that deviate from the standards.  The safe course of action is to use equipment manufacturered by the same company.    
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Information obtained from Technology in Action, Fifth Edition, Alan
Evans, Kendall Martin, and Mary Anne Poatsy p. 321
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I hope you enjoy reading the weekly newsletter and will contribute to future issues. 
 
Sincerely,
Cecile Bendavid
CEO Computers, Inc.

 

If you would like to use our newsletter preparation and emailing service,  call for an appointment.  (818) 501-2281    Cecile