Windows Wireless Network Connection: Choose a wireless network

I use a wireless Linksys router (WRT54GS) and a couple of weeks ago I uninstalled Intel's PRO/Wireless Network software to see how Windows would manage it, and so far so good.

I was looking at some settings today and noticed that two networks were appearing in the list, one is the wireless one I set up, but I don't know why the router is emitting the other one. I have attached an image to show this.

Can anybody explain this to me please?

 

That's not your network. Somebody near your location has a linksys router and that person didn't change the default SSID, I can also pick up one network labeled "linksys" let alone few d-links and 10 other.

If you want to be sure- connect to this unsecured network and look at the IP, or log on to 192.168.1.1- I'm pretty sure it will not be your router, so after you are sure about it get out of there as you will be messing with sbd's equipment.

 

I hadn't thought of that because it's never found any others before nor did the Intel software. I checked again later yesterday to try what you suggested and it was no longer in the list.

How much range do these wireless routers have to be able to pass through multiple walls, trees, wires, houses, etc?

 

That depends on many things- external interference, weather and transmitter’s power. I don’t think that somebody who uses default, not hidden SSID would use unofficial firmware to increase transmitter power so we can rule this one out. Sometimes opening a window is enough to pick up a signal (weak but still). So it’s more or less random. If you keep in mind that signal strength 4 meters from the router will not exceed -40db (approx) you will see how much interference there is out there. It’s usually easier to pick up networks t night and when the weather is good. So you may just pick it up from time to time.