PC Laptop Has Limited Access on My Airport Express

I live on the third floor above a restaurant and I've allowed the owner downstairs to use my wireless connection. She is using a Dell laptop running Vista SP1.
She can connect, but she gets a message saying "connected with limited access" and apparently she gets disconnected after about ten minutes. Any ideas why this might be happening?

Hello Noely D. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
Most likely, the wireless signal strength that is received by the PC downstairs it too weak to maintain or even create a connection.
I suggest downloading a copy of iStumbler. Use iStumbler's Inspector feature (select Edit > Inspector from iStumbler's menu) to determine the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) at the locations where Internet access is desired. Within the Inspector, note the values for "signal" & "noise" at these locations. Start with your MacBook Pro near the base station, note the readings, and then, choose the downstairs location of the PC.
SNR is the signal level (in dBm) minus the noise level (in dBm). For example, a signal level of -53dBm measured near an access point and typical noise level of -90dBm yields a SNR of 37dB, a healthy value for wireless LANs.
The SNR, as measured from the MBP, decreases as the range to the base station increases because of applicable free space loss. Also an increase in RF interference from microwave ovens and cordless phones, which increases the noise level, also decreases SNR.
SNR Guideline
o 40dB+ SNR = Excellent signal
o 25dB to 40dB SNR = Very good signal
o 15dB to 25dB SNR = Low signal
o 10dB to 15dB SNR = Very low signal
o 5dB to 10dB SNR = No signal
If the SNR is 20dB+ at each of these locations, then you should be getting reasonable performance from your AirPort. If less, either try to locate the source of the Wi-Fi interference or try relocating either the base station or the wireless clients until they are within a 20dB SNR range.

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I didn't have a hacksaw handy, but my wife did have a dremel with a cutting disc
Here was our adventure, delving into the internals of our Airport Express:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs333.snc3/292481426068702953_1569863761_31018439_3281999n.jpg
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http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs342.ash1/292481426071863032_1569863761_31018448_4448936n.jpg
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Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\Users\Donna Hall-McDowell>ipconfig
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C:\Users\(user name removed)>

Hello,
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3. Is there an icon in the systray for the wireless network connection and if so, what is its state, bars or no bars with the "No" symbol?
4. Is Windows or another utility controlling wireless connections?
5. Can you hook it up via a wired connection and check HP's site for updated drivers?

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Hello sportshark1. Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
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I'm new. I have a Dell Laptop XP and my wife has a
dell desktop XP . I have DSL with a Linksys wireless
router. After many hours on the phone I was able to
get the ineternet set up for me and my wife.
After all this I found that my Airport Express system
couldn't connect to my stereo. It seems that the
router wireless connection pays no attention to
Airport. Apple says that they could set up another
wireless system to work for Itunes by using my
wireless card in the Laptop.
But... I can't listen to the music and surf the net
at the same time. A linksys person has tried to allow
Linksys to accept and proper installation to the
router. I tried is but it didn't work.
Dell Laptop Windows
XP Wireless card and Linksys
router
Dell
Laptop Windows XP Wireless card and
Linksys router
Sort of new here and to the AE, but have a Dell Desktop and Tosbiba laptop both running XPHome SP2, and on dialup
The Linksys router is hooked to the desktop with an ethernet cable. In the office.
The AE is in the living room and works great for surfing and ITunes.
The only way I could get my AE to work as an access point for dialup and stream ITunes from the laptop to the home theater was to use the setup found here.
http://rgbdream.com/?p=44
The only problem I had with the setup was do not use the $ when entering the password. And had to use a proxy server on the desktop for sharing the dialup. LOL no hope of any broadband here.
Hope this is some help.
Bob

PC Laptop Has Limited Access on My Airport Express

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