Home networking problem

17 years ago

Hi. I usually hang out on the decorating forum but I hope you all can help me. I hope I can explain the problem with my limited computer knowledge! Our home network consists of: A PC in the basement with the modem and router, a desktop Mac on the second floor, and three Mac laptops-one used on each level of the house. The problem is my son's Macbook pro on the second floor gets very poor signal and frequently drops. My DH just bought a new router--Lynksys ultra range dual band N which he really likes and has had no problem on his iMac which is also on the second floor. Anyhoo, DH is Not going to return this piece of junk router and says DS just has to live with it. So my question is, is there anything I can do to help DS's signal in his room? Also, I can't spend much money to fix this since the router was so expensive. I'm sorry for the complicated explanation. Any help would be appreciated.

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Comments (9)

bpgreen
17 years ago
I tried using a booster once for a similar problem, but it ended up causing more problems than it solved (we kept getting the same IP assigned to different computers). I've read about building an antenna out of things like tin cans and toilet paper rolls but have never gotten around to trying it. Supposedly, though, these work pretty well. If you google "wifi antenna" you should find some instructions for doing this.
grandms
17 years ago
Have you tried different locations in the son's room to see if a better signal can be received that way? Obviously something is causing interference with the signal in this location since your husband gets a good signal in another room on the second floor. Other than this, the suggestion for an antenna is the only other solution I can think of.
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I've had major problems staying connected to Wi-Fi in my home DSL network modem. At one point I've moved my DSL modem to upstairs to make networking work better and it turned out not to be so since I have multiple connections. Network constantly disconnect: DirecTV/Cell Phone(s)/Computer(s) and Wii Console. One Router should do the trick by keeping the ISP modem downstairs and the Router upstairs using the Ethernet 1 cat5 connection in the most central location in the upper part of home nearest most used room / window to your backyard. Set up Guest Access through your ISP Gateway. Split up and divide your home network between the ISP modem, Guest Access and Router. By doing this, your ISP Modem will not be over burden causing disconnection to your Home Network. I've been fighting with my Frontier Communication ISP for several months and finally got everything working after Linksys or Netgear Router was reinstalled. Keep it simple! ISP Modem (SSID "user name") *Toshiba* Guest Access (SSID "Separate user name + Password") *Toshiba Guest* Router (SSID "your user name + number") *Toshiba2* Reset all connections in your home: You should see all your Networking Connections (Toshiba, Toshiba Guest and Toshiba2) TV's on Modem according to location in home. PC on Router connection or modem location. Cell Phones on Guests connection. By doing this, your connectivity should improve! Good luck, Larry.
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damnifikno
17 years ago
2.4 Ghz cordless phones can also cause interference.
aiallega
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you everyone for the advise. bpgreen, I can't believe all he contraptions people have come up with for an antenna. I will probably try some of them but it may be hard to find all the components! grandms, we have tried different locations to no avail. damnifikno, we did switch our phones to the 5.? Ghz when we first set up the network several years ago. Thanks again!
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
17 years ago
that is an excellent router and should provide plenty of signal range, I agree something is definitely causing an obstruction/interference. A different router likely would have the same problem so I would not bother trying that unless you just have one you could borrow to try. Have you checked all the settings on that pc?
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
17 years ago
this link is very informative and gives some good options you may consider like changing the antenna on the router, and making sure it matches well with the wifi built in to the computer.
Improving WiFi Reception: An Improved Answer

you can also try using the house electrical wiring to transmit, look up that info in google there are some decent options now out there.

Or run cat 5 to another base location, run the cat5 from the router port 4 to a switch upstairs to expand the lan. Use the switch for additional pc or APs.
also some times suggested to try channel 1or 11 for your setting.
You can check around for 3rd party firmware that would help boost that router they are out there several free source linux ones for example, it likely would void your router warranty though if that matters. Google around for them.
homebound
17 years ago
I googled and found something called MacBook Pro Connect. Look like something you could use?

http://macmegasite.com/node/2864
aiallega
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks again everyone. I will be looking into all of your helpful information. I'll let you know if anything helps.
mikie_gw
17 years ago
Maybe move the location of the router,, even inches can sometimes make big differenct.

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