[matrix0978]

i was setting up a wireless router for my dad, and i hooked it up and the laptop has a built in wireless card, and i turned the laptop on and it connected to the router but the signal strength was very low! it was sending like 320 packets and receiving like 40... any way to fix?

[rjz]

What's the distance? Did you check for other devices? How about channels?

[matrix0978]

the distance about 3 feet. i havent checked the channels. how would i go about doing so?

[rendrag]

would depend on the router, but somewhere in the wireless settings should be the operating channel. I would set that to either 1,6, or 11, and then match the same in the laptop's wireless card configuration

[gui_m]

Try network stumbler to check the signal... rules out that WinXP is screwing you over.
Try Upgrading firmwire and drivers for what it's worth.

[Bâshrat the Sneaky]

Make sure there isn't too much iron and water between it... We got a WLAN here too, with a distance of only ~5m and still a low signal strength. It's because of too many walls and some iron in the way... Also too much walls shortly after eachother decreases the possible distance for a decent signal.

[epic]

What other devices are you running in your home or near?
1. Portable phones (NOT cell phones) at what signal level (Mhz).
2. Satellite
3. Telephone poles
4. Electrical boxes
5. Water / Iron (like bashrat stated)
6. Coax oulets