wireless router

[riptide]

I continue to have problems with my BT Wireless router, the signal goes very weak at times. Sometimes it can be okay for a couple of days, then awful another day. The connection normally says it excellent, but the speed seems to go up and down. Would it work better if I kept one of my computers plugged in all the time and the other one wireless, or do you think it is the router or BT's broadband. At the moment there is only one computer on the wireless network, but I have just bought a new one and was wondering whether it would be better to keep one of them connected all the time. Would this help the connectivity of both them. Thanks

[ACtheTROLL]

that sometimes is the nature of wireless.

the thing to do is use a wired connection for enough time to prove either the wireless or the connection.

the thing with wireless is it's double ended - what you might find is it's the laptop's poor reception - the new one might knock spots off the existing one

wireless is adaptive - one machine, good reception and it runs at full tilt
2 machines - it then needs to negotiate speed and strength to prevent total loss

the more machines you put in - the less speed you get out
(this can also include neighbour's machines in that)

also add TVs, crt monitors, microwaves, thick walls, fridges, fluorescents, internal wall thermal barriers, blah blah blah - it's a wonder they ever work at all.

then again some people have no problem at all.

the thing with correctly installed wire is you never have problems - and they never interfere with each other

at the moment homeplug is looking like a good alternative also

and then there is contention ratios - morning is generally faster that afternoon and evening - because america is still in bed
a neighbour's kid downloads a huge file - and you slow to a crawl
it's not a science - my aparent speed can be anywhere from 5-8 Gb - I rarely get better than 1Gb/s on downloads

but leaving one connected is unlikely to do anything

[riptide]

Thanks AC I have repositioned the wireless router to see if this is one of the problems, it was sitting on the window ledge above my radiator and near next door's sky dish, am trying it inside the room now away from the window. I think it is going to be a process of elimination, try it wired for a while to see if improves and try the new desktop unwired and see what happens. If not I many get a new wireless router as am not particulary impressed with the BT Voyager. Bt have offered me a new contract with the BT Home Hub thrown in, I expect it is their old model, so am considering this. I have doubts because I have had bad reports about their Home Hub and am wondering whether to switch to netgear or linskys, even though they say they do not support it. Do you recommend a good router. Your comments appreciated.

[ACtheTROLL]

I have home hub - in a reasonable size house - the hub is upstairs in about the middle - and I've never had problems
I also have the phones - and the voip is as good as any I've used.
but to put it in perspective
I'm the only one in the street with wireless
I live less than 1Km from the exchange - and usually see the full 8Mb connection (though never achieve it)

my lappy is as far from the hub as the house allows - but it's a direct line with only 1 plasterboard wall and floor in the way.

the new home hubs (the black ones) are now 802.11n and seem to be well thought of by the guys who work with them.

I used wireless just to see - but I have a NAS box upstairs - and the transfer rates are too low - so I went back to wire
(I have a "propper" lan in all the daytime rooms - not the bedroom though!)

[riptide]

Thanks AC, this may be part of the problem, I am only in a small cul de sac, but almost everyone has wireless. Will probably have to go back to ethernet if I want a totally reliable connection, which in a way was what I was trying to avoid as I am limited for space in the living room. Anyway, your advice has been of great help and many thanks.

[riptide]

Right I have connected to the internet on my new desktop via the ethernet cable. On going to view the wireless networks to see if I can connect to mine, there are only 5 showing whereas on my existing laptop there are 7. Mine does not appear at all and I am wondering whether it is the one saying Unnamed network, security enabled. I do have a name on mine which shows on the laptop, so I am totally baffled as to what is going on.

Also, have installed Norton, as it is free for the first 60 days of use. Changed the web browser to google which is my normal page and for some unknown reason it is showing Aol above it to sign in, which is not my internet provider and no icons such as File, Edit, View, Bookmarks, etc. How do I get rid of the AOL line and install these. Thanks

[ACtheTROLL]

if you hide the ssid - it only shows once you are connected

it must be yours - have a look in the admin see what is set
(use the ethernet cable to do this)

you'll also see 11 chanels - and possibly auto

if you download http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/
when you run it (on the laptop - wireless enabled!!) it will tell you what's what and who's on which channels

try to pick one with at least 2 free on either side

7 - you want 8&9 and 5&6 (or as near as you can)

[riptide]

Thanks AC for your response, it is all a little beyond me now. My wireless router was set up by a computer specialist and I would be loathe to mess around with it as I really do not know what I am doing. Will see if I can get a longer ethernet cable and when I upgrade to the new BT Home Hub will let him sort it all out for me. Have managed to sort all my other problems out with the setup on vista. Thanks for your time, much appreciated.