"Scott" <Sc***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:18E56357-E5D9-4EDF-95C6-4469F242D3B6@microsoft.com...
> After upgrading to XP SP2, my wireless signal strength shown in the system
> tray shows "2" bars and calls it "Low".  When I view all available
> wireless
> networks, my network in the list shows "5" bars and "Excellent".
>
> Why the two different strength levels?  Which is correct?

"Jerry Peterson[MSFT]" wrote:

> As you already know, signal strength is a dynamic value that location and
> environmental factors can affect.  Here is why you have an acute
> observation:  ;)
>
> 1) The View Available Wireless Networks list includes a snapshot of all the
> networks in your vicinity.  The signal strength displayed in this list is
> captured just before the list is presented to you.  When you open the
> application open, the only ways to update signal strength in that list is to
> inititiate a refresh by either clicking the 'refresh' option in the upper
> left hand corner or by connecting to a wireless network.
>
> 2) The system tray icon displays a current signal strength when you hover
> the mouse over the icon.  However, this value will not change until you move
> the mouse off the icon.  Each time you hover, you will get the current
> signal strength reported to Windows by the driver.  If you hover for 30
> seconds though, the information doesn't change.
>
> So how to you observe signal strength in real time?
>
> 3) right-click on the system tray icon and select 'status.'  This will
> dynamically show signal strength reported to Windows from the wireless
> adapter.  If you wanted to take a laptop and walk around a site to get a
> general idea of signal strength, just leave the status page open and watch
> the bars.
>
> Does this answer your questions?
>
> --
> Jerry Peterson
> Windows Network Services - Wireless
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
> "Scott" <Sc***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:18E56357-E5D9-4EDF-95C6-4469F242D3B6@microsoft.com...
> > After upgrading to XP SP2, my wireless signal strength shown in the system
> > tray shows "2" bars and calls it "Low".  When I view all available
> > wireless
> > networks, my network in the list shows "5" bars and "Excellent".
> >
> > Why the two different strength levels?  Which is correct?
>
>
>

"Scott" <Sc***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:63B9D0B3-DBEA-4A8B-9B23-A7E3A8A280F6@microsoft.com...
> Thank you for the response.  I understand your explanation of signal
> strength
> and how it is reported.
>
> However, If I right click the systray icon and go to status, the signal
> meter will show 2 bars.  Immediatley afterwards, I then click "View
> Wireless
> Networks" and refresh the list via an F5, the repopulated list shows my
> wireless connection with 5 bars.
>
> There still shows to be a disconnect in the two reportings.  I tried the
> above method at 1 foot away from the wireless router and the system tray
> signal strength never exceeded 3 bars.  As before, the refreshed network
> list
> still showed my wireless connection maxed out with 5 bars.
>
> Any further suggestions?  Thanks.
>
> "Jerry Peterson[MSFT]" wrote:
>
>> As you already know, signal strength is a dynamic value that location and
>> environmental factors can affect.  Here is why you have an acute
>> observation:  ;)
>>
>> 1) The View Available Wireless Networks list includes a snapshot of all
>> the
>> networks in your vicinity.  The signal strength displayed in this list is
>> captured just before the list is presented to you.  When you open the
>> application open, the only ways to update signal strength in that list is
>> to
>> inititiate a refresh by either clicking the 'refresh' option in the upper
>> left hand corner or by connecting to a wireless network.
>>
>> 2) The system tray icon displays a current signal strength when you hover
>> the mouse over the icon.  However, this value will not change until you
>> move
>> the mouse off the icon.  Each time you hover, you will get the current
>> signal strength reported to Windows by the driver.  If you hover for 30
>> seconds though, the information doesn't change.
>>
>> So how to you observe signal strength in real time?
>>
>> 3) right-click on the system tray icon and select 'status.'  This will
>> dynamically show signal strength reported to Windows from the wireless
>> adapter.  If you wanted to take a laptop and walk around a site to get a
>> general idea of signal strength, just leave the status page open and
>> watch
>> the bars.
>>
>> Does this answer your questions?
>>
>> --
>> Jerry Peterson
>> Windows Network Services - Wireless
>>
>> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
>> rights.
>> "Scott" <Sc***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:18E56357-E5D9-4EDF-95C6-4469F242D3B6@microsoft.com...
>> > After upgrading to XP SP2, my wireless signal strength shown in the
>> > system
>> > tray shows "2" bars and calls it "Low".  When I view all available
>> > wireless
>> > networks, my network in the list shows "5" bars and "Excellent".
>> >
>> > Why the two different strength levels?  Which is correct?
>>
>>
>>