A business customer would like to get his new wireless router to work with various laptops and PCs.

The old router had died, and they had lost confidence in their original tech support company.

I configure the router without much trouble, I then plug it into the main ethernet switch, and place it in a central and elevated position within the office area.

I setup a nearby PC with no trouble.

I then setup a laptop about 10 meters away (with no obstacles or walls), and things start getting more difficult. It struggles to get a good signal. I unplug the wireless mouse, and the signal gets better for about 1 minute. After a restart, its back to a poor signal again.

I check the original PC, and its still going well on its wireless signal.

After a while, I decide to leave the laptop, and try 2 different laptops in the reception area (with a wall between the laptops and the WAP.

But they also get a very poor signal, and cannot connect.

Out of desperation, I restart the WAP (power off for 10 seconds).

I try the first laptop, and it finally connects reliably. The signal is still low, but the internet connection doesn’t drop out. Given the distance, (and proximity to a window), I guess it could be channel interference from other wireless signals nearby.

The two reception laptops also connect fine.

I also connect an office laptop (with obstacles like the metal PC case and 2 walls, and about 6 meters), and it also connects reliably (again with a low signal strength).

Its odd that the WAP somehow decided to only allow 1 PC to connect, and then remained invisible to other PCs.

Update: I have since returned for other work, and the wireless router blocked another PC during my time there. Again, another restart was needed. I’ve told the customer to keep an eye on it. If it plays up some more, they might just toss it and get a different brand (They don’t want to be “off the air” while the router is being repaired under warranty).