Why can my machine connect to the wifi with 20% signal but not the one with 80%?

Among the wireless networks nearby, my thinkpads can establish connection with some with only 20% signal strength, but can't connect to the one (or more) with 80% or even more than 90% signal strength. It happens a lot. What's the explanation?

Edit: Actually it does connect to both the 20% and the 80%, but the web browser can't load with the 80%, but can load the 20%. What's the reason?

 

try power resetting the 80% wireless router

 

Using somebody else's wireless network is illegal even if the network is open.

 

Or it is perfectly legal. You do realize that US is not the only country in the world, right?
Besides the question does not imply anything and there's no reason to get all legal and lawyered up.

 

maybe the 80% router is set too wireless n only and you dont have an n card in your notebook or do you.

 

OP appears to be from the U.S.

And, I didn't accuse him of trying to access somebody else's unsecured wireless. But it is a possibility.

OP: if, in fact, you're not trying to illegally access somebody else's wireless, why don't you tell us how you've configured the two routers so we can help you troubleshoot the issue? Are you using any wireless security? What modes are the two routers operating in? What bands do you use?

 

there is a chance that the 80% machine is using a dhcp and/or mac address lockdown. there are other lockdown mechanisms as well.

legal or not, 'borrowing' someone else's service is tacky and dishonest.

 

It's the same thinkpad machine. Both the 80% and 20% signals are of FREE PUBLIC WIFI, showing the same name, both are also "g".

 

the brand of the machine matters not one whit.

what is the brand of the wifi card, driver level, and please list any work you've done on the machine that may have affected the wifi card or the drivers.

also, hunt down and run inssider and tell us some details about the wifi hot hotspot in question.

 

Thread closed.