Wireless issues, but oddly the opposite of what you normally hear....

[Derek Broughton]

Steve Flynn wrote:

> On Mon, Dec 1, 2008 at 10:07 PM, Steve Flynn
> <anothermindbomb at gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Mon, Dec 1, 2008 at 7:34 PM, Derek Broughton <news at pointerstop.ca>
>> wrote:
>>> Steve Flynn wrote:
>>>
>>>> Anyone got any clues? I note that the AP is broadcasting (no hidden
>>>> SSID) on channel 13 - anyone else had issues along these lines? I
>>>> have to admit, it's got me stumped unless there's some restriction
>>>> in Microsoft Operating systems about the channel number... that's
>>>> the only thing I can think of to be honest...
>>>
>>> There _should_ be limits, given that it's an illegal channel in the
>>> US...
> 
> I should also point out that I mention the Ch 13 info as I knew it was
> illegal in certain areas but to my knowledge it was ok in the UK. 

My bad, since you didnt mention where you were from I just assumed.  
Yes, it's fine there.

> I'm
> now wondering whether Vista has a bug in that it own't see a Ch 13
> router despite being configured up to be in "London".  

istr such a situation in an earlier version of Windows, where it had 
trouble finding higher channels if it had ever been used in the US, but I 
don't recall it in Vista.  otoh, I _never_ use Vista.

> I'm also
> wondering whether there is a similar subtle bug in the linux wireless
> drivers for my hardware in seeing the AP but not being able to
> authenticate.

It's entirely possible that if your _card_ is configured for the US it 
can't even be set to Channel 13.
 
> Then again, maybe it's the router being a funny bugger and not playing
> fair on Ch 13.

If it randomly chooses its channel, you can't expect much.  More likely, 
imo, somebody else is hacking the router.
-- 
derek