I am not understanding why changing channels is not getting rid of the Belkin? Is he, in fact, following us around?
No its not following you around, its simply broadcasting to any wireless adapter 'I'm here you can connect to me'. It will broadcast on all channels to anyone that is within range.
Just right now I can see both a neighbouring Netgear and a neighbouring skybox that are broadcasting their availability. However I wouldnt actually be able to connect to either of those networks since they are both locked using WPA unless I knew the login.
All wireless network cards will let you scan to see what wireless networks are available, but you cant actually connect unless you know the access details or its an open network.
As mentioned in my earlier post, if you go to the wireless properties you can set you preference of which network you connect to.
Its under
Wireless network connection >
Properties >
Wireless Networks Tab >
Preferred Networks.
You then add/remove/set the preference.
However, even when youve done this - you will still be able to see the Belkin if you click the View Wireless Networks Button, since theres nothing you can do to stop it broadcasting its availability each time its switched on.
all 3 machines lose speed when the Belkin shows up
This was the bit that was puzzling me, since if your own connection slows down when its switched on, then its far more likely that either
1. Your machines are perhaps connecting to his Belkin in preference to your own router or
2. Its possibly a faulty monitor that gets switched on at the same time which interfers with your SNR, which causes slower throughput.