Wireless Router - some questions

[Playboy]

hey guys

I got myself a new netgear wireless router today. unfortunately we had a bad storm yesterday which took out my old modem/router etc..

As my house is two stories, I have the router upstairs, with 1 pc upstairs, and 1 pc downstairs. The only problem is that the pc downstairs is battling with signal strength. I can only manage between 30 - 45% signal strength. As a result when i browse, it'll work for a few seconds then come to a stand still, making it pretty worthless. Any idea how i could improve the signal strength?

ty

 

[Sackboy]

Which router did you buy (model no.)? That will tell us how good the range should be. Also, what equipment are you connecting to it with. A PC with a wireless card?
Which one?

 

[feo]

If you can get your hand on a second router like a Linksys WRT54G (post a wanted ad and I guarantee someone from the WUG section will have one for you for<R300) and flash the router with DD-WRT firmware. Then you can either set it to be a Repeater or use it as a Wireless Bridge and run ethernet to the downstairs PC.

 

[MadMailMan]

Get a Ethernet over power line kit and use your plug sockets as a network! Netgear make them.

 

[Sackboy]

Get a Ethernet over power line kit and use your plug sockets as a network! Netgear make them.

I like the idea, but it tends to be expensive and less flexible. It can't be beaten for reliability and speed though.

feo, meddling with that Linksys is quite technical - for the hobbyist. These are available new as the WRT84GL for R1300 in Incredible or online for about 1/2 that. You can increase the radio power too, but say bye, bye to the warranty.

 

[syntax]

i suppose you could also get an airport express and extend the network, and also double it up for airtunes

 

[Playboy]

Sackboy, it's the "NETGEAR Super-G wireless Modem Router DG834GT". It's supposedly even supposed to be a specific type of wireless router with 4x the coverage than normal wireless routers.. So i was supposing it'd work extra well. On the pc downstairs I'm using a USB wireless adapator for the network.

hmmm ok.. on observation at the back of the box, doesen't seem as if i have the wireless router with the most magnificant coverage. there's still another 2 models under the netgear series that offers better coverage. next time i should try be more cautious when the salesman talks ****. unfortunately after the dilemma of the lightning hitting my previous router, i was in a hurry to get something new

 

[Sackboy]

Sackboy, it's the "NETGEAR Super-G wireless Modem Router DG834GT". It's supposedly even supposed to be a specific type of wireless router with 4x the coverage than normal wireless routers.. So i was supposing it'd work extra well. On the pc downstairs I'm using a USB wireless adapator for the network.

hmmm ok.. on observation at the back of the box, doesen't seem as if i have the wireless router with the most magnificant coverage. there's still another 2 models under the netgear series that offers better coverage. next time i should try be more cautious when the salesman talks ****. unfortunately after the dilemma of the lightning hitting my previous router, i was in a hurry to get something new

It's not a bad modem/router, but it's a bit dated now. The 'super-g' makes it a cut above standard 'G' like the Linksys WRT854GL, but 4x is a little optimistic.

The DGN200N would have bought you increased range if you are IEEE802.11n capable on your PC. They claim to double the range.

Some people use surge protectors on their line - can this protect against lightning?

 

[SuPaStA]

Have you tried changing the routers wireless channel to get a better signal?
@Sackboy- Yes it will protect againts that.

 

[Playboy]

I haven't tried changing the channels yet, i'll try mess around with the settings a bit later yeah finally i invested in 2 surge protectors.. so hopefully this won't happen again, twice to many times already