Newbie needs help

[BBRocky]

Hi I apologize in advance if this question has been asked a million times already. But anyways, I just set up wireless internet in my college apartment and I have experienced a dramatic loss in internet speed. My computer is connected to the router via a cable and we have three other systems (one laptop, two desktops) on the "network" as well. The router is a 2.4 GHZ Broadband G Linksys connected to the local cable internet provider. Prior to the installation I was downloading at about 360 kb/s and now I am at 160 kb/s. Should I expect this much of a dip even though I am not wireless?
Also, I installed the router on this desktop and the wireless cards on the rest of the computers. Is this all I need to do finish the entire installation? Finally, I dont have any programs to adjust the channel, security level, or anything else involved with the router. Where could I find these programs or would I just have to reinstall the software?

Sorry for this being so long but thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions.

[sschulak]

you should change your channel to channel 1 to avoid interference in your college dorm, download netstubler and see how many other AP's are in the area using the same channel you are and pick one no one else is using, also keep in mind the microwave ovens at channel 9. i recomend using channel 1

[oshea85]

I haven't seen a microwave oven cause problems in a long time. Microwave ovens only leak if they are very old or damaged in some way.

Typically, you'll see a 5' bubble around a running microwave where you'll see some packets drop, nothing spectaclur.

2.4 GHz phones can cause you trouble, but 802.11b will coexist for the most part. When I bought my Motorola 2.4 phones, I started seeing PLCP errors @ 10/sec or so. The only thing I've experienced it bothering is SSH sessions while using LEAP authentication. Every once in a while, an automatic reauthentication will fail, killing my ssh session.

Anyway, start by disabling the wireless on the router. Turn off your other computers. Test your laptop *wired* a few times. Enable the wireless, then test the same laptop a few times wireless. This will rule the wireless in or out.

It could be one of your roommates has a virus, or P2P software running. Also, kids are coming back to school, so it just might be your neighbors hogging the bandwidth; cable is a shared medium.