Posted: 1/6/2008 9:06:36 AM EDT
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When I first got my DSL here, I was fairly happy. Although not quite as fast as my prior cable, it was better than dial up. Since cable is unavailable here, DSL is my only option. Lately, I've been having problems. 1. I'm constantly having to right click my wireless connection and use "repair" go get it responsive again. 2. Speed, according to Windows XP Pro varies from 54Mbs to 1Mbs. 3. Sometimes pages dont load on the first try, and I have to click it a few times. Does this sound like a line problem, router problem, or pc problem? Shoot Thanks for the help guys. |
Ehh, not always. Does use of a microwave/power tools have a correlation to these issues? It does not even have to be in your house. |
Thanks for the help Subnet. I know you know your shit with this stuff. I have the router mounted on the wall about 6' off the ground, and the pc is only about 15' away with no obstructions. Is it a problem on the router end or on the pc end? Would it help if bought one of the extended range antennas for the router? Thanks again. ETA: I also wanted to mention that signal strength is always "excellent" per XP. |
Ehh...yes always. The key phrase is "given what you have to work with". If he's sitting right next to the access point, his microwave isn't going to affect it. You can go further out with a better antenna, less obstructions, less interference, better radio, etc. He's too far from his access point in his current environment, with his current equipment. ETA: It's a subtle difference, but it's still true. |
No. I live in the sticks, so no one around me can cause problems. The only thing that is between the pc and the router is a plasma tv, which is no directly inline, but more like 5' off center. |
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Crappy signal. Can be caused by too much distance between you and you access point, obstructions, and interference from microwaves and 2.4ghz cordless phones. To resolve the problem you can get an access point and wifi card with a stronger transmit strength or I would recommend a better antenna on the access point and card if possible. Even a better antenna on one end will improve things. -Foxxz Edit: Reading your recent above posts you could just have a crappy access point putting out bad signal. What type of access point? |
It's an Actiontec GT701-WG wireless DSL router/modem. It's supplied through my ISP provider. Is there an after market option to my modem/router situation? |
It's immediately suspect. Either a D-Link or a Linksys AP would be preferable. Both have reasonably good radios, for residential class gear. To keep support easy and to prevent "he said/she said" crap when you call your ISP, I'd keep the Actiontec. Disable the wireless on it, and purcahse a Linksys Access Point - not a router/AP/switch/coffee maker, just an access point. I'd suggest something like a WAP54G. You plug the Linksys AP into an available switch port on your Actiontec, and your computer connects wirelessly to the Linksys AP. |
I can't tell from the photos online, can you replace the antenna? If you can, and all your computers are in the same general direction (up to ~90 degrees) you can get a directional antenna that will significantly increase range. RE: subnet/AP suggestion APs have gotten expensive :( It's cheaper to buy a router, and disable the route features. |
Ok, thanks for the quick reply. I actually sold my Linksys when I got this POS because I didn't think I'd need it. I guess I'll be buying another.  
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He's only 15' from the AP, and in the same room. His Actiontec likely has a crappy and/or faulty radio. I suggested a straight AP, because in my experience, they seem to perform better than their multifunction cousins. |
This helps, actually. Did you have a problem with your Linksys before? Were you using it with the same wireless card in your laptop, that you're using now? This would actually help narrow the problem down pretty conclusively. |
I never had it connected with the Actiontec. i used it when I had cable at my old address, and sold it when I received the Actiontec. The wireless on my laptop is internal. With the Linksys AP, would you say to pick up a new one, or is it safe to pick one up on Ebay? They seem to be less than 1/2 price used. Thank again |
Ah, so you never used it at your current address? Bummer. I was hoping you did, so that I could conslusively point to it as a solution. Anyway, I would have no problem picking one up used off Ebay, myself. There's not much to them, really. Be sure to pick up a WAP54G. Straight access point, no more. I do need to double check something though - does your Actiontec have a built in switch? Could you plug your laptop in with a patch cord if you wanted to? I need to double check, because that's where you'll be plugging the Linksys AP in. |
I have my Xbox 360 hard wired to the Actiontec for online play. I can disconnect that, and hard wire the pc directly to the modem. Is this what you are talking about? Also, it's not just my pc, but my wifes laptop is having the same problems. |
Yes, this is what I'm talking about. You'll be plugging the Access Point into the Actiontec, using an available switch port. I just need to make sure you actually have one available.  And if your wife's laptop has the same problems, then I'm nearly certain the radio in the Actiontec is a piece of shit, or broken, or both. It's *possible* that the Plasma in the room is causing grief, but I highly doubt it. Unplugging it would answer the question in short order. Do you have a 2.4GHZ cordless phone? |
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Excuse please. I'm having a problem like this too. I've got a linksys about 8 feet away from my laptop, great signal, but often get the "limited connectivity" problem after coming out of standby or hibernation. It feels to me like my laptop thinks it needs to get a fresh DHCP address but somehow wasn't able to. I had this on another computer and gave it a static ip address to fix it. Edit: when I have the connectivity problem, the signal strength is excellent but ipconfig shows that I don't have an address that's on my home subnet. It's that default address you get when you're set up to get DHCP but can't find any. |
I've seen driver/hardware problems cause that a few times, the radio is not recovering correctly from power save/sleep. It's worth trying to upgrade the drivers. |
Ok, I just wired the laptop to the router, and wa la, runs fine. So I guess I'm down for a Linksys to rectify the problems of the Actiontec? |
I agree. His problem is different than the OP's. |
