How to Improve your Wi-Fi Network Connectivity when Network Connection Drops

How to Improve your Wi-Fi Network Connectivity when Network Connection Drops

By   21:02   1 comment:

May be your work location or in home or even sometimes in public wireless networks, your Wi-Fi connection might drop unexpectedly for no reason. This will be frustrating when you are in a hurry or when performing some important as well as urgent activity over the internet. It's also more common than you might think. Fortunately, we can fix this issue if you can follow this checklist to determine why it is happening and how to prevent it.

Position Your Router / Access Point for Best Performance

Radio signals from various consumer electronic products can interfere with Wi-Fi wireless network signals. For example, cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, garage door openers and microwave ovens can each take down a Wi-Fi network connection when powered on. You can move your network equipment or (on home networks) change some Wi-Fi radio settings to avoid this problem.

Insufficient Wi-Fi Network Range and Power

Even without interference from other equipment, Wi-Fi connections can drop occasionally on devices located near the edge of the network's wireless signal range. Wi-Fi links generally become more unstable with distance. Relocating your computer or other gear is a simple but not always practical solution. Otherwise, consider antenna upgrades and other techniques to improve wireless signal transmission and reception.

Unknowingly Connecting to the Wrong Wi-Fi Network

If two neighboring locations run unsecured Wi-Fi networks with the same name (SSID), your devices may connect to the wrong network without your knowledge. This can cause the interference and range problems described above. Additionally, in this scenario your computers will lose connection whenever the neighbor network is turned off, even if your preferred one remains functional. Take proper security measures to ensure your computers connect to the right network.

Network Driver or Firmware Upgrade Required

Each computer connected to a Wi-Fi network utilizes a small piece of software called the device driver. The Wi-Fi network device driver controls various functions of the Wi-Fi hardware. Network routers contain related technology called firmware. Network drivers and firmware can both become obsolete over time. Upgrading (over installing) newer versions of these things can sometimes fix network connection problems. Get free upgrades from the manufacturer's Web sites.

Incompatible Software Packages Installed

Wi-Fi network connections may start failing on a computer due to incompatible software installed and running there. This includes operating system patches, operating system services, and other software that modifies the networking capabilities of the operating system. Keep records of each time you install or upgrade software on your computers, and be prepared to uninstall any incompatible software you've added recently.

 

Overloading / Overheating the Wireless Access Point

Owners of some wireless routers (and other types of wireless access points) have reported dropped connections during times of heavy network utilization. This can occur during, for example, online gaming or while copying large files. Routers can, in theory, become overloaded with too much data and fail temporarily. If a router's temperature increases too much, it may also fail until cooled. Install routers (access points) in places with good airflow. Exchange the router for a different unit if the current one doesn't support your usage patterns.

If you still have issues, we suggest you Change the Wi-Fi Channel to Avoid Interference.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G Advantages And Disadvantages

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G Advantages And Disadvantages

By   20:22   5 comments:

Galaxy Tab 10.1 won't disappoint as it's about time the iPad 2 got a worthy competitor. Samsung are really taking tablets seriously these days. They already have three offerings this year. The other two are more compact, but it's the Galaxy Tab 10.1 that will lead the team ahead in enemy territory.

Galaxy Tab 10.1 has the largest of the company's tablets offers more screen estate and larger battery, while at the same time maintaining the impressively slim waistline. There’s a Tegra 2 chipset ticking under the hood so you get the latest and greatest in mobile chipset technology.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G at a glance:

• General: GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz , UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 MHz, HSDPA 21 Mbps, HSUPA 5.76 Mbps
• Form factor: Tablet
• Dimensions: 256.6 x 172.9 x 8.6 mm, 565 g
• Display: 10.1" 16M-color WXGA (1280 x 800 pixels) PLS TFT capacitive touchscreen
• CPU: Dual-core 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor, ULP GeForce GPU, Tegra 2 chipset
• RAM: 1GB
• OS: Android 3.1 Honeycomb
• Memory: 16/32/64 GB storage
• Camera: 3.15 megapixel auto-focus camera with 720p video recording; LED flash, 2 megapixel front facing camera, video-calls
• Battery: 7000 mAh
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth 3.0+HS, standard microUSB port, GPS receiver with A-GPS, 3.5mm audio jack, FM radio, HDMI TV-out (through an adapter), USB host (adapter required)
• Misc: TouchWiz customization, DivX/XviD codec support, built-in accelerometer, multi-touch input, proximity sensor, gyroscope sensor

Important: The 8 MP camera is available on the 10.1V as sold by Vodafone in Europe. This is the thinner and lighter version which is equipped with a 3MP camera.

Samsung introduced some last minute touches to its largest slate, which should help it fare even better. At the eleventh hour the company announced that it will come with an even larger battery (7000mAh) and 30 grams lower weight than initially announced and that it will be getting DivX and XviD support. It seems like a good way to give an already competitive device an even bigger edge over its competitors (though in the case of the Tab 10.1 the edge is slimmer).

It comes with an accessory that lets you insert an SD card and a USB flash disk. Memory card is easy to connect with computer with card reader and it contains all things in it so you can replace another card easily.

Few have said that after using the device for about two to three months, the phone started to trouble. The touch panel is not responding quickly as well as the battery life stated to give out. however there are lots of applications to download .

Unfortunately roomers are that that none of the tablets in the market support phone calls. The 3g and 4g is mainly used to connect to the internet, and video conferencing. video conferencing would be a great alternative to voice calls, but it doesn't seem to replace it entirely.

And it is said that Galaxy Tab 10.1 sends and receives data via wifi only. One have to read the description. "Tablet with no GSM voice communication capabilities"  What do you think this would mean?

People say that Galaxy Tab 10.1 DOES NOT, I REPEAT DOES NOT, support Voice Calls. Galaxy Tab 10.1 has no phone but a SIM is used for GSM DATA connections like GPRS and EDGE.

Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G can send and receive data by both wifi and the mobile phone network. AFAIK the 10.1 3G cannot make phone calls using the mobile phone network but is can be used on skype.

Regarding the battery problem of android you are having two option either go to task manager and close all the open apps or go to android market and download the android task killer it will be very effective for your battery consumption or you can try this as follows.

Go to settings – > application – > manage application

Then force close the open apps.

This is also a very effective option.

It seems like there are three version of this device ignoring 3g and wifi derivatives, there is 8.9, 10.1 and 10.1v. I have 10.1v and it comes with 8 MEGA main camera and 2 Mega front facing camera. The main disappointment is the 10.1v doesn't have memory card slot.

Apparently you can make voice calls with the galaxy tab. The only requirements are that you use a bluetooth device that connects to your tablet and make sure voice calls are included in your plan.

Originally when they show case this device it is said that Galaxy Tab 10.1 has 8 MP camera, but later when it is officially released they said its only 3 MP. We are still confused. But we have got information that 8MP camera was there in Galaxy Tab 10.1 sold in Europe. We are not sure if they dropped the 8 MP when they introduced version 2 of the 10.1 model to make it thinner and lighter than the iPad.

The USB feature is great as it means you could buy a Wi-Fi only model and use your existing USB mobile stick to connect to the internet.

Another great feature is that you can expand the memory by an additional 32GB with a memory card.

Disadvantages Of Honeycomb:

Not much wrong with the hardware of Galaxy Tab. The biggest problem is with  Honeycomb.

iPad currently has 65,000 apps running for it, compared to only 100 for Honeycomb. The user interface has also been described by Global Equities Research as 'unstable and poorly designed'. What does this leave you with? Beautiful hardware, but with not much to do on it.

I would wait for the next generation of Galaxy Tab when it matures into a better product. In the meantime, the Motorola Xoom or iPad 2 blow this thing away. Motorola Xoom at least has way better camera, and still leads on spec, and the iPad 2 for user experience. Either way, the Tab doesn't have anything to push it into the lead yet.

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Five Major U.S. Cities To Have WiFi On Subways

Five Major U.S. Cities To Have WiFi On Subways

By   11:24   No comments:

Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. A Wi-Fi enabled device such as a personal computer, video game console, Smartphone, and digital audio player can connect to the Internet when within range of a wireless network connected to the Internet. The coverage of one or more (interconnected) access points — called hotspots when offering public access — generally comprises an area the size of a few rooms but may be expanded to cover many square miles, depending on the number of access points with overlapping coverage.

It’s entirely possible for you to be standing right in the middle of a juicy, strong WiFi hot spot —and not even know it. Its name doesn’t show up in the Connect To list. Read more: Connecting To A Secret WiFi Hot Spots In Windows 7

For years Wi-Fi connections have been ubiquitous on university campuses, in coffee shops, and in public buildings for years, yet most of us are still waiting for them to grace our morning commutes.

While computers in many cities overseas, such as London, have some kind of connectivity (in stations, on trains, or both), the U.S. hasn’t been so lucky. Even in the highly connected San Francisco Bay Area, underground Wi-Fi in BART stations is still a thing of the future. Here’s the state of connectivity on trains in five major U.S. cities:

Boston: The city has completed Phase 2 of its plan to provide continuous cell service in both the stations and on the trains. Riders will also find free Wi-Fi services on 258 carriages along its Commuter Rail service.

Chicago: Cellular coverage in the city’s Red and Blue subway lines covers AT&T, Verizon, Cricket and U.S. Cellular customers, across both station and trains, but Wi-Fi service isn’t available yet in the city’s transportation systems.

New York City: The first phase to add Wi-Fi to the city’s subway stations will begin with the first six stations in the L line and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. All 277 underground subway stations are expected to have Wi-Fi by 2016.

San Francisco: Almost the entire BART line is now seamlessly connected via 3G, at least for most of the major networks. Wi-Fi service is scheduled to be completed later this year.

Washington D.C.: Twenty of Washington’s busiest underground Metrorail stations have had expanded cell phone service since 2009. Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, AT&T and T-Mobile are expected to complete a new wireless infrastructure underground by 2012.

Wi-Fi program for New York’s subways is expected to be completed this year. Eventually, Metrorail will add Wi-Fi services to the mix, but it’s unclear when.

Virtual Router is an open source software which leverages the Wireless Hosted Network API which is a part of the new Windows Operating Systems (Windows 7 and Windows server 2008) Read more: Make Windows 7 PC A Wi-Fi HotSpot Using Virtual Router

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Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750

Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750

By   22:13   No comments:

if you want to free your keyboard from both wires and batteries, logitech has a product
for you: its wireless solar keyboard K750 ($80). this thin (one-third of an inch thick) keyboard features 2.4GHz wireless and gets power from both outdoor and indoor light—a capability that lets you do your computing under the sun.

The solar-powered, wireless keyboard that makes battery hassles a thing of the past.

Powered by light: Good-bye, battery hassles. Solar power keeps your keyboard charged and ready—even indoors.

Very thin: Your desk is about to get sleeker thanks to this streamlined keyboard.

Feels good: It almost feels like typing on your laptop, but more comfortable.

Official Video Link: http://www.logitech.com/en-us/keyboards/keyboard/devices/k750-keyboard

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Connecting To A Secret WiFi Hot Spots In Windows 7

Connecting To A Secret WiFi Hot Spots In Windows 7

By   12:53   No comments:

It’s entirely possible for you to be standing right in the middle of a juicy, strong WiFi hot spot —and not even know it. Its name doesn’t show up in the Connect To list.

It turns out that the owner can choose whether or not the hot spot should broadcast its name. Sometimes, he might want to keep the hot spot secret—to restrict its use to employees at a coffee shop, for example, so that the common customer riffraff can’t slow it down. In these cases, you’d have to know

• (a) that the hot spot exists, and
• (b) what its name is.

If you do know the name of one of these secret hot spots, open the Connect To list from your system tray. You see the invisible hot spot identified here, sure enough, but only as “Other Network.” Click it, and then click Connect. Now you have to type in the network’s exact name (and password, of course, if there is one) before you can proceed.

This method is great for quick encounters with hidden hot spots. If you want the option to have your laptop hop onto the secret hot spot automatically whenever it’s nearby, the process is slightly more complex.

Click your Network icon (n); click “Open Network and Sharing Center.” Click “Set up a new connection or network”; in the next box, click “Manually connect to a wireless network.” 

Now you’re asked to type the hot spot’s name and password—and you have the option to turn on “Start this connection automatically.” Also turn on “Connect even if the network is not broadcasting,” despite the warning (which is saying that a dedicated hacker nearby could learn the hot spot’s name by using special “sniffing” software). Click Next, Next, and Close.

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Nokia N8 Advantages And Dis-Advantages

Nokia N8 Advantages And Dis-Advantages

By   13:13   1 comment:

I have extremely happy with it's features and overall performance, Plays fantastic movies  Even HD. loads of fun. It's a very powerfull phone. The processor speed is 680 mhz - is quite fast enough for the symbian os. Coupled with the great GPU, this baby is faster than u first thought. Im also very sure that hackers will find a way to overclock the processor in the future.

But there is one thing, the phone does crash sometimes. yes there is a restart problem. It happens when the phone tries to connect to the internet, and there is no internet, email client especially. It tries to connect, then 0.1 sec later says failed, then again tries to connect 0.1 sec afterward, and fails again, and so on, .. this takes about 2 secs, then the system mini restart. Restart takes around 10 seconds.

Doesn't even have a portrait keyboard like iphone - will come with the software update. The lack of apps like iphone - Symbian^3 is still new, just a month old. U dont expect a new os like that to have 300k apps from the start. Even iOS just started off with a few apps. There is currently more than 120 apps available for the n8 and more coming soon.

On the more positive side, so far the browser experience is MUCH better than the E72. The E72 was pain stakingly slow for example at going to a previous page. With the N8 it is much faster. Also, with the larger screen it's a much better experience overall.

Regarding the touch screen, I am starting to get used to it and also my typing on the onscreen keyboard has improved dramatically in just 2 days.

Finally, from what I have seen in the last 2 days the battery life is quite impressive. I spent hours today downloading downloading apps, browsing the web over 3G and WiFi, and also configuring the panels/settings. I also made a few phone calls and used the FM transmitter to listen to music in my car. The phone has been with me since 8am and by 11pm at night it still has ~30% charge left. That is quite good if you ask me. Overall I will rate it 9.5/10. The half a point is only because it crashes sometimes. Else 10/10. Nokia has to attend the restart problem soon.

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Activating The iPhone

Activating The iPhone

By   12:26   No comments:

There are two prerequisites for enjoying the iPhone. First, you have to become or already be an AT&T (U.S.), T-Mobile (Germany), O2 (U.K.), or Orange (France) customer.

Second, make sure you download the latest version of iTunes software onto your PC or Mac. Apple doesn’t supply the software in the box, so head to www.apple.com/itunes if you need to fetch a copy or launch your current version of iTunes, and choose Check for Updates. You’ll find it under the Help menu on a Windows machine and the iTunes menu on a Mac.

For the uninitiated, iTunes is the nifty Apple jukebox software that iPod owners and many other people use to manage music, videos, and more.

iTunes is at the core of the iPhone as well, because an iPod is built into the iPhone. You’ll employ iTunes to synchronize a bunch of stuff on your computer and iPhone: contacts, calendars, e-mail accounts, bookmarks, photos, videos, and of course music. And from the get-go, you’ll use iTunes to activate the phone.

Here’s how to proceed with setup:

• 1. Locate an available USB port on your PC or Mac to connect the dock. Slide the iPhone into its dock. Hold your excitement as the first Welcome to Your New iPhone greeting is displayed inside iTunes, as shown in Figure below.

 

Figure:Welcome to the iPhone, you lucky dog.

• 2. Click Continue to get on with the show.
• 3. Select whether or not you are already an AT&T (or Cingular) wireless customer, and then click Continue. The screen displayed in Figure below appears.

Figure: Requesting or renewing your AT&T credentials.

• 4. Based on the decision in Step 3, select among the following options. Then click Continue.

If you’re in the AT&T stable, you can either add a new line to an existing account or replace your current phone with the iPhone. If you’re an AT&T newbie, you can activate either a single iPhone or — you’d be the envy of your neighborhood — two or more iPhones under a family plan.

• 5. (Optional) You have the option of transferring an existing cell phone number from another wireless provider to the iPhone, a process that Apple says may take up to six hours. If you want to do so, select the Transfer Existing Mobile Number box and fill in your existing phone number, account number, zip code, and account password (if applicable). There are plenty of good reasons for keeping your old number, not least of which is to brag to friends that they’re calling you on an iPhone. Although you’ll be able to make outgoing calls at this juncture, you won’t be able to receive any until the transfer is complete. Then proceed with Step 7.
• 6. Click Continue.
• 7. Choose your monthly wireless plans from AT&T, and then click Continue.

Figure: Choosing your minutes.

Figure above shows the most common options for voice minutes and text messages as of this writing. Click the arrow next to More Minutes to check out higher-priced plans. Click Less Minutes to return to the lowerpriced options.

Pay heed to the fine print. You better learn to love AT&T because, for better or worse, they’re going to be your wireless carrier for at least the next two years. The iPhone is not compatible with Verizon Wireless, Sprint, or any other US carrier.

• 8. If you have an Apple ID, type your Apple ID and password. Then click Continue.
• 9. Enter your date of birth and select the appropriate boxes if you want to receive e-mail on new releases and additions to the iTunes Store or special offers and information about other Apple products. Then click Continue.
• 10. Well, you knew they would get around to it sooner or later. In the next screens, enter your billing address and acknowledge that you have read both Apple’s iPhone Terms and Conditions and AT&T’s Service Agreement (if you’re new to AT&T). Click Continue to move from screen to screen.
• I don’t know anyone without a law degree who actually reads these things. But high up in the AT&T agreement you learn that you’re subject to a $175 early termination fee should you decide to bail out of your contract.
• 11. You get one more shot to review your information. If your address and the iPhone plan are accurate, click Submit to authorize AT&T to perform a credit check and initiate service (again, if you’re new to AT&T).
• Click Go Back to make changes. Processing the activation could take up to three minutes, assuming there are no snags.
• If you don’t pass the credit check, all is not lost. AT&T was offering a prepaid plan for the iPhone (though the rates are not as attractive). The plan is not available to customers whose credit is A-OK.
• 12. If all is peachy, your new mobile number, assuming you didn’t keep your old one, is displayed on the computer screen. Meanwhile, the iPhone will notify you when activation is complete and send an e-mail to the address you designated.
• 13. Click Continue to begin syncing your iPhone with your contacts, calendars, e-mail accounts, bookmarks, music, photos, and pictures.

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Make Windows 7 PC As An Wi-Fi HotSpot Using Connectify

Make Windows 7 PC As An Wi-Fi HotSpot Using Connectify

By   12:55   No comments:

In my earlier post we discussed on how to Make Windows 7 PC A Wi-Fi HotSpot Using Virtual Router [Open Source]. There is another application "CONNECTIFY" through which you can share your internet connection. 

Connectify is a free and easy to use software router for Windows 7 computers. With Connectify, users can wirelessly share any Internet connection: a cable modem, a cellular card, or even another Wi-Fi network. Other Wi-Fi enabled devices including laptops, smart phones, music players, and gaming systems can see and join your Connectify hotspot just like any other Wi-Fi access point and are kept safe and secure by password-protected WPA2 Encryption. Connectify is free and can actually save you money. Take any Internet connection and share it wirelessly with no additional hardware, wires, plugs, or chargers.

Using Connectify:

• Download And Install Connectify From Their Website:
• To get started, click on the Connectify logo in the Notification Tray.
• Make sure the 'Share Internet' option is checked.
• Choose a name for your new wireless network
• Choose a wireless password
• If the Mode box is visible, select "Access Point" if it is in the menu, otherwise, use "Ad Hoc".
• Press the Start Hotspot Sharing button to turn on your wireless network
• Now, from your other devices, you can see your wireless network. Choose to join it, and enter the wireless password to connect.

Connectify runs on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, both in either 32 or 64 bits. And Connectify Version 3 Also Supports Windows 7 Starter Edition.

However your friends or those with whom you are sharing your internet connection absolutely do not need Windows 7 Operating System. Any Wi-Fi enabled device can connect to your network without any additional configuration or software. Additionaly it also works with cellular Wireless Internet service. 

Connectify depends on improvements made in Windows 7 to operate. Windows 7 is such a big improvement, if you are using older version of windows, we suggest you're better off upgrading than waiting for connectify to get all this working on an older version of Windows.

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Make Windows 7 PC A Wi-Fi HotSpot Using Virtual Router

Make Windows 7 PC A Wi-Fi HotSpot Using Virtual Router

By   12:07   3 comments:

Virtual Router is an open source software which leverages the Wireless Hosted Network API which is a part of the new Windows Operating Systems (Windows 7 and Windows server 2008).

If you have got Wi-Fi in your laptop and have Windows 7 installed in it then you can easily turn it into a Wi-Fi hotspot and share your net connection with other people in the range and Virtual Router is the easiest way to do so.

With this feature, a Windows computer can use a single physical wireless adapter to connect as a client to a hardware access point (AP), while at the same time acting as a software AP allowing other wireless-capable devices to connect to it. This feature requires that a Hosted Network capable wireless adapter is installed in the local computer. (quoted from MS library)

The program is really simple to use. After downloading and installing the software all you have to do is specify the network name and password to access this network. It uses the WPA-2 encryption to protect the wireless network from unwanted users.

http://virtualrouter.codeplex.com/

http://virtualrouter.codeplex.com/releases/view/36035

You can also use CONNECTIFY and can create Wi-fi hotspot very easily through any source of net comming in ur system either lan or mobile or wifi.  Connectify is a free and easy to use software router for Windows 7 computers. With Connectify, users can wirelessly share any Internet connection: a cable modem, Read more: http://www.bench3.com/2010/09/make-windows-7-pc-as-wi-fi-hotspot.html#ixzz0zrdVuXMh

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