Changing the wi-fi channel on the computer...

[mrs.chappie]

Has anyone ever done this please? Was it successful?

[sunny-dave]

You change it on the router, not the computer - and yes it can be very successful if you are getting interference from other nearby wifi signals.

Try channels 1,6,11 - pick the best of those three - then experiment with the channels just above below that one.

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks Dave. I'm worried about trying it, in case I c0ck it up and lose the use of it completely. I'm not good at computing stuff. :o(

[sunny-dave]

I always do all changes to my wifi from a *wired* connection - then unplug and try the new wireless settings - because you can always go back the the wired connection and revert the changes if they don't work ...

[ChuckFickens]

If you are just changing channel then there is no risk of losing connection

(although if your router shows channels above 11 don't go there, some show upto 13 but using 12&13 can cause problems with some devices)

[sunny-dave]

You can (and I have) lose a connection by changing channel, if you are at the limit of your wifi range and your neighbour has got a whacking big repeater signal on your new channel just through the dividing wall between your houses ...

[ChuckFickens]

Fair point, I use a analyser to check for clear channels before changing :)

(Strangely every single wifi network in range of my house is on channel1, suits me, leave me loads of clear room :))

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks Dave & Chuck. We have have no problem using the computer, and the printer's good too, now that I leave it switched on all the time.

It's a wireless wildlife camera we have set up in a hedgehog box in the garden that's the problem. The picture keeps rolling and the camera supplier has suggested we try changing the channel, he says it could be picking up interference from other wi fi connections.

OH has suggested we leave well alone as he's worried that we'll end up regretting it. Neither of us are all that clued up on technology. :o(

The supplier has sent instructions on how to change the channel and it doesn't read particularly easy to do but I am tempted to give it a go.

[ChuckFickens]

Changing the channel is pretty straight forward, but you could download and install netstumbler on your laptop, run it and it will tell you what channels all the surrounding networks are using (take the laptop for a walk and check by the camera too) then you can pick a channel that is not used.

http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/

[mrs.chappie]

Great, thanks Chuck.