Recently someone asked me to install a Dell V305 printer on a Dell computer
running the 64-bit version of Windows Vista. Installing a printer is
usually an easy task that simply involves running installation software,
plugging in the printer to the power and USB port, and then turning the
printer on. On this occasion, installation was not that simple. The client
had already attempted following those simple steps, however was receiving a
communication error when attempting to print. 

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I’ve spent the majority of my 16 years in law enforcement investigating
motor vehicle crashes, first as a crash investigator and later as an
accident reconstructionist. Although I no longer perform those duties as a
police officer, I still sometimes work in the private sector assisting in
follow-up investigations. Such was the case last week when I was called to
follow up on a motorcycle crash. Because the case is still under
investigation, I won’t mention names or places. 

The following is the synopsis of what occurred. 

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Over the past several years I’ve had a wireless network in my house. One of
the problems that I’ve encountered is the lack of network range. My house
is L-shaped with the cable modem in my office at one end of the house. The
signal needs to be able to reach my laptop at the opposite end of the
house. To further complicate things, I have a web server (sometimes running
more than one) and a VPN. Consequently I need to be able to configure port
forwarding as well. 

This blog post discusses my efforts to create a Wi-Fi network in my house.

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