a router question

null_set · TweakNOOB Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 151 Location: Jersey

Another question... this one I feel kind of silly for asking, but it drove me bat$#!* last night...

I was helping a friend set up a Linksys wireless G router at his new crib. I've got the box upstairs connected, but his machine keeps acquiring a meh (5.5-12Mbps) connection, keeping it for a bit, then losing connectivity. The Linksys EZ connect bullshpucky application only occaisionally sees the network. Auto-obtaining an address seems to provide the worst performance, while manually setting the IP, etc keeps the connection active for a bit longer.
Using Windows to manage the connection, it doesn't even detect the network.
DHCP is enabled on the router and the box, the lease time is 24 hours, so I know that's not the issue. The router is WEP enabled, but I have the network key. The machine upstairs gets a decent (25-54 Mbps) connection... I'm kinda baffled.
thoughts?
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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

How many walls, appliances, etc, are between his rig and the router? And have you tried a hard-wired connection to rule out any hardware problems?
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null_set · TweakNOOB Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 151 Location: Jersey

Hey, FnF.

Maybe 20-30 feet or so, three walls, one floor.
I suggested hardwiring, but we were too lazy to move the box :roll:
If the problem is purely a crap signal, we can move it, get a repeater, or I'll just run a cable for him. Not that hard.
Does it kind of sound like poor reception to you too?
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ToggleHead · TWEAKGURU Joined: 03 Mar 2004 Posts: 4360 Location: Jersey

it does sound like something is interfering.....what are the hardware/software differences btw the two boxes?
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Sally · UberTweaker Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1158 Location: WA

hey empty set,

did you by chance test out a different wireless device fromt he same location? (i.e. a laptop, pda, etc.)? Also, is your friend's wireless device portable? I am doubting this because you didn't mention performance changes from moving the laptop closer. It really could be just a wireless adapter problem just as easily as it could be interference. For the sake of a good scientific method, I would recommend getting another wireless device in there to rule out the hardware itself as being the issue (be it a different machine or simply a USB wireless adapter {buy one, return if it doesn't help}). This is all less labor intensive than relocating the router or running cables.

Very Happy

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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

I always have better luck having the router at a lower location.

Try that and if it doesn't work, get it exchanged.
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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Well, the max range on a clear day is 100 feet, give or take, with a standard wireless G router. You're adding in a whole TON of interference, though, so that box is probably at the max range the router can handle. Three walls, one floor, and all the electrical wiring in between........hardwire that baby, or get a repeater.
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[TN] Nathan · ALMIGHTY PWNER! Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Posts: 7406

It shouldn't have any problems reaching within a house.

I have the tiny linksys router here and it reaches all the way to the far corner of the back yard.
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null_set · TweakNOOB Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 151 Location: Jersey

Hey everyone! Very Happy