Specific Router Question

[flyingdog]

So I was stalking DoWhat's post about which wireless router. I was considering a new router because I keep losing a signal in my bedroom which is on the opposite side of the house from the router.

This is the router I have.

The other issue I have is it stops working and I have to reset it. Probably once a month. I assume this is a router issue because I have the phone connected through the modem and the phone never drops (I check it before resetting the router) and when I reset the router wireless comes back.

My wonder is if 1) can I do anything to improve the signal? Admittadly the router is on the floor right now under the desk - so maybe that is the issue?

My issue of it needing to be reset - is that something in the settings? I am pretty bright but have no idea how to set up this router other than putting a password on it - and even then I am not confident I am doing it right.

Thanks for any input. I think I bought this serveral years ago but it still seems decently rated.

 

[victoryman]

this link may help

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/setup/wirelesstips.aspx#fbid=-Um40bLhA4N:howdy:

 

[Danzig]

I got so sick and tired of 'routers' I went and bought a wireless modem, so now I just have one thing to troubleshoot and mess with. SO HAPPY I did this. Plus it sped up my wireless connection 10 times, now I get the amount of MB up/down that I pay for.

 

[flyingdog]

I got so sick and tired of 'routers' I went and bought a wireless modem, so now I just have one thing to troubleshoot and mess with. SO HAPPY I did this. Plus it sped up my wireless connection 10 times, now I get the amount of MB up/down that I pay for.

Sounds like a nice option - but since our phone is through Metrocast I need to keep with their modem. But thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Asmodeus]

That's the router I upgraded from... I had it up on top of a cabinet and the distance/coverage around the house was good... even on the opposite side of the house in the garage I got a good signal... I have an 'open' floor plan so there was very little in the way of walls between the signal and devices... I upgraded mostly because as I was uploading huge files wirelessly to my server, the router would fail... (it is still running at a buddy's house as I gave it to him)...

I was amazed how much stronger the signal was when I went to a new router though... Even at the opposite side of the house in the basement, I get a good signal...

The direct upgrades on that model are both good options depending on your usage...

Oh yeah... and take it off the floor from under the desk...

 

[Rindiculous]

I've been using the Netgear WNDR3400 for about 3 years. Never a hiccup.

Ironically, my parents had that *exact* same Linksys router you linked there; they used if for about 5 years. Worked great in the beginning and then I think a power spike put it on the fritz. It would reset, drop connections.

New Linksys stuff is just fine; Netgear is great as well! I personally haven't had good luck with D-Link or Belkin so I advise that you avoid those. If you aren't planning on doing any in-home HD streaming then Wireless N should do. Dual Band is nice as you can take advantage of the long range of the 2.4ghz signal and the high speed of the 5.0ghz signal if you're close by. Wireless AC is still in draft status and has a whole slew of extra complications.

Good luck!

 

[itsbob]

I got so sick and tired of 'routers' I went and bought a wireless modem, so now I just have one thing to troubleshoot and mess with. SO HAPPY I did this. Plus it sped up my wireless connection 10 times, now I get the amount of MB up/down that I pay for.

Wireless as in cell phone?

 

[EmptyTimCup]

if your 'router' has external ant. could try swapping out one for a directional ant. and point that in the direction of your week signal


AntennaHowTo - SeattleWireless


you could try something as simple as a piece of cardboard covered in tin foil, placed behind the router

 

[koan00]

You need a computer or smart phone running a wifi analyzer application. There are many for just about every platform, if you reply with your platform (ie whats the wifi device used in the bedroom) I can help you find one.

1) First, in your bedroom start the application. You will should see a graph of nearby signals usually graphed by signal strength and channel.

2) Look at channels 1, 6, and 11. Ignore your own network for the moment. Determine which of these 3 channels has the weakest or no signals on them.

3) Is you wifi network on this least congested channel? If not, change the channel in your wifi router setup. This will ensure you have the least interference from competing wifi networks.

4) Now we can work on reducing physical interference. It helps to have another person do this with you, but move the router around the room and then go to the bedroom and see if the strength for your network goes up. Also experiment with antenna angle.


If all this doesn't work and you have the money, pretty much the best wireless coverage you can get right now is from the Asus RT-N66U about 170$ online.

 

[JoeRider]

Make sure you have the latest firmware on the router or your device. Try a different router to see if it works better. Cisco/Linksys does fine in my place.

 

[GWguy]

If you are using the 'G' WiFi standard, you may have interference from other things in the house. 'G' WiFi devices are on the 2.4 GHz frequency, and so are alot of portable telephones. You may have a conflict.

Doing what Koan said will help isolate that kind of issue.

My DSL router was notorious for dropping out for a few seconds every few minutes. I could watch the LEDs show the DSL signal drop (not a WiFi issue). I relocated the router to a different room on a different phone wire, and it now never drops out.