Home WiFi issue resolved!

In a previous post I described a perplexing problem with my wireless network.  I thought the issue might have been inteference with a new neighbor’s cordless phone.  However, it turns out they have a 5.8Ghz phone, which would not interfere with wireless networks that operate at 2.4Ghz.

I re- installed a new router that Verizon had sent me over the summer.  The problem was that the new router would not connect to the Internet.  When I logged into the router, the status showed that it was waiting on a DHCP lease; this is the mechanism where the router acquires a public IP address from Verizon.  I finally caved in and called FiOS tech support.  They had to clear the old lease from their DHCP server - once that simple step was taken care of, the new router received an IP address and Internet connectivity was working.  Then I needed to check to see if the wireless issue was resolved.   In the new router, I created a new network name and WEP key; I booted up my Windows laptop in my bedroom (which is about as far from the router in the garage as I can get)…and SUCCESS!!  Signal strength is ‘very good’, and in fact I am typing this post from this wireless connection.  Ah…it feels good to have this fixed.