Wireless Help

[R32UK]

Following on from another thread (well sort of) I am still struggling to maintain an wireless internet connection whilst sat at my desk (laptop).

Now this got me to thinking... is there an ipad app that I can use to boost the wireless signal within my house??

It works well in some places but my desk is the one place it cuts out... once it starts, it just goes on and on.

A simple app that uses the ipad as some kind of bridge (i think thats the correct term) ... anyone know of anything??

[Jay]

Nope, that'd require two wireless network cards which the iPad doesn't have, unless jail broke and using the iPad a MiFi (3G for internet access, Wifi as a Wireless access point).

Have a look at the Home Plugs, they extend the wired network from your router using your power points around your house you could get two (1 into the power circuit and the other as an access point to plugs into to give internet) and a cheap wireless access point plugging into the 'desk home plug' to extend the wireless network. Give the Wireless Access point the same name as the original name, but make sure it uses a different channel to the other, preferably as 'far' away on the channel range as poss, IE original is on Channel 1 and the other is on Channel 13. Otherwise just use the network cable from the home plug to the laptop, cheap home plugs give enough speed for what you want and cost around £15.

[Adam]

Or a repeter?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edimax-EW-7416APN-300Mbps-Wireless-Extender/dp/B001HW0JVU/ref=tag_stp_s2_edpp_url

[Rhyso]

Are these the Home Plugs??

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-PA211KIT-200Mbps-Powerline-Ethernet/dp/B004INVKP4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325691373&sr=8-1

Slight hi-jack.... do you plug an ethernet cable from your router into one and then plug the second Home Plug into a socket in the room you want?  I assume you can then connect wirelessly to the second plug?

[Jay]

The second plug would need a network cable coming out of it into a PC/Laptop/network switch/Wireless Access point, unless there is a wireless version for the second plug?

Router -> primary Homeplug -----> power lines through house -> Secondary Home plug -> PC/Laptop/Network

This should function as a wireless access point if ignoring the Cable Router side and add a 4 port network switch to the area (network printer, other PC's PS3, xbox etc), coupled with the cheap sub £15 home plugs (from ebay,  they don't appear to be on Amazon) would add immense extensibility. 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-Wireless-Router-54Mbps-Switch/dp/B00008XYJ6/ref=sr_1_56?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1325691811&sr=1-56

[R32UK]

Guys that is fantastic help !!! 

I think I may just go with the plug in method as that would ensure I dont have to mess around with wifi anymore.

My only other slight concern is that my house was extended a few years back. This means that the electrics for the entire house are actually split between 2 different boards. So I dont know if the router socket is on the same circuit as the office socket.

Would this be a problem?? 

[Ninja]

I work in broadband/network/wifi technical support - so I may be able to help.

First off, what router do you have.

Second, what's the distance that you're trying to connect from/to.

There may be ways of sorting it without forking out any money.

[R32UK]

thanks vdub.. to help simplify this, my internet has always worked through wireless at home in my office (last 3years or so with o2)

the router is plugged directly into wall socket which is main point of connection coming in.

the router is on the ground floor and I am on the first floor. the direct distance from router to laptop is approximately 5m directly. it is in an open hallway down stairs. the office is just above the router but maybe 2-3m to the side.

I also keep the room door open which connects onto the landing and downstairs hallway.

the connection is very strange as it will work fine for hours... then keep dropping every 10mins or so for a few hours.

o2 have tried to change the frequencies 3/4 times now, which didnt solve the problem.

o2 Have replaced the original router with a new router, but still have the same problem.


My concern is I have Virgin coming to install a new connection on friday and the router will be positioned even further away (10-15m approx)

Any help would be appreciated 

[Ninja]

thanks vdub.. to help simplify this, my internet has always worked through wireless at home in my office (last 3years or so with o2)

the router is plugged directly into wall socket which is main point of connection coming in.

the router is on the ground floor and I am on the first floor. the direct distance from router to laptop is approximately 5m directly. it is in an open hallway down stairs. the office is just above the router but maybe 2-3m to the side.

I also keep the room door open which connects onto the landing and downstairs hallway.

the connection is very strange as it will work fine for hours... then keep dropping every 10mins or so for a few hours.

o2 have tried to change the frequencies 3/4 times now, which didnt solve the problem.

o2 Have replaced the original router with a new router, but still have the same problem.


My concern is I have Virgin coming to install a new connection on friday and the router will be positioned even further away (10-15m approx)

Any help would be appreciated 

That is an odd one.

You say o2 have changed the frequencies. By this, I assume you mean channels?
Wireless signal strength depends a lot on what other devices are near by, thickness of walls, type of walls and even, believe it or not, fishtanks (lol)
There's so many things that can cause interference.

The first thing I would be doing is moving the router (if possible) to another location.

The next thing I would be doing is changing the channel. The default is usually set to "auto" or 11. I would be changing it to 1, and testing from there. It's trial and error.

Then I would be looking at compatibility issues, ie what network card you have. I would get another device and use it in the exact location of the laptop. If this device maintains a consistent connection then you've narrowed it down to the wifi adapter/network card within the laptop itself.

Is your router G or N by the way. Not that it should make much of a difference to be honest for such a short connection!

As an example, I used to live in a 3 storey house. I had a G router, and the router was two floors down from me. I maintained an consitent connection even with this distance.

[R32UK]

I will check through the list of other stuff it could be. As I said the strange thing is it all worked well before 

I do find that if I have my phone near the desk this causes problems on occasion. Although its almost impossible to be at my desk without a phone near by.