Staying Connected

[chpsk8]

Ok, how do I keep myself connected to my Linksys 54g router wirelessly. Today I have changed the channel a dozen times, and had to run the connection wizard more times than I can remember. I came home to my cable modem not registering on the router, so I had to shut it off, unplug the router, and refire everything up again. Once connected I had to refresh the IP addresses on two computers. The laptop wouldn't stay connected and the signal was fading in and out. I would get "very good" to Poor readings, and I was not even moving. I would get a "weak"" signal, and then not be able to connect.
So far I have been on the phone to Linksys for a total of 2.5 hours over the past 4 days. They have canned answers to everything, but nothing concrete. I guess I am looking to make this a bit more bulletproof. I want my wife to be able to turn it on and read her email without having to go through a bunch of work and me telling her how to do it.
Any advice to making this system a bit more robust?

For the record I was able to zip on the internet yesterday with no problems, today it is slow as #$%@.
So bottom line, it seems to be really inconsistent.
I only use the laptop in 3 different areas of my house, none are more than 25 feet from the antenna, and it is either going through one wall, or one floor.

I am using a Dell 5150 with built in A/B/G mini card. And I am unsure if I can make any adjustments to it's properties, havent found them yet.

Thanks
D

[meese]

I use the BEFSR41 cable/dsl router and the WAP11 Wireless Access Point. I never have connection issues. Now I had the wired network 2 years before I implemented the wireless stuff. But my point is the wireless connection is always rock solid. It seems a lot people have problems with the 54G router.

[pickel]

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=6

http://www.techimo.com/forum/t72203.html

[chpsk8]

I appreciate the advice of new equipment, but I'd like to stick with my initial investment. Also, this is not just affecting the wireless connection now, I am also getting booted off the internet on the 98 hardwired box. I have to release and renew the IP, then go through some other voodo rituals to get hooked back up. Once a day so far.

[chpsk8]

I appreciate the advice of new equipment, but I'd like to stick with my initial investment. Also, this is not just affecting the wireless connection now, I am also getting booted off the internet on the 98 hardwired box. I have to release and renew the IP, then go through some other voodo rituals to get hooked back up. Once a day so far.