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Strengthen internet signal

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Haymitch, Oct 25, 2013.

  1. Haymitch

    Haymitch Custom Title

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    With a wired connection I get 25 mbps, which is fine and dandy. However, when I go WiFi I get anywhere from 8-13 mbps. It's still good enough, but is there a way to improve that other than running ethernet all throughout my house?

    If I bought this, for example, could I plug in a cable to that ethernet port from my desktop and expect to get 25 mbps? Or would it still just give me the 8-13 mbps speed but with a wired connection?

    Huge pic:
    [​IMG]

    ::EDIT::

    Or this one.
     
    #1 Haymitch, Oct 25, 2013
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2013
  2. SwoLy-D

    SwoLy-D Member

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    It could be WORSE... :(

    I have U-Verse internet (weak DSL) at my house in the West Houston area... because I can't get anything else, not even Comcrap... :( and I'm in the same boat as you. My house PC is too far away from the "main" connection and I am forced to use a wireless connection, so it sucks.

    I am downloading at 1.35 and uploading at .36 and at work I'm downloading at 53.5 and uploading at 51 :mad:!
     
  3. bobrek

    bobrek Politics belong in the D & D

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    Does your router wireless match your computer? Are they both wireless N? Do you have multiple devices connected at the same time? Of so, try disconnecting all but your computer and then give it a try.
     
  4. Haymitch

    Haymitch Custom Title

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    Not sure exactly what you mean here.

    Nope.

    My desktop actually doesn't receive WiFi signal, so I have this, which is N, plugged in to a USB port.

    But the router Uverse gives me is this one, which they told me was their top of the line hardware. But it is 802.11g so I guess that is a G network. Is that where the problem lies?

    Tried that.

    That is worse. Can't get no BallStreams or pr0nz with that.
     
  5. tested911

    tested911 Member

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    I use two sets of these. TRENDnet 500 Mbps Compact Powerline Ethernet AV Adapter Kit They have helped tremendously w/ my Xbox Live setup and receive little lag. I normally get around 45MB - 65MB hard wired to my router and through these guys I get about 25-35. So I'm guessing it can work for you. But please read up on "Ethernet over Power" connections because everyone has a different experience.

    [​IMG]
     
  6. cheke64

    cheke64 Member

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    Insert a scoop of cell tech in the right port.
     
  7. SwoLy-D

    SwoLy-D Member

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    I can't even watch MOTHER EFFIN' DiwreckTV onDemand, Haymitch, yo. :( If I ask for something OnDemand, I have to record it, THEN watch it... I can't watch it WHILE it's downloading it's so slow.

    I can't because I am in the No-Fap group since a while back. :eek:
     
  8. pd_

    pd_ Member

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    that netgear thing is just an extender, you won't get full speed as if you're connected with ethernet when connecting to the extender. probably half that

    what router are you using? id suggest a better router
     
  9. ChankMcStank

    ChankMcStank Member

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    I have had bad signal with my Netgear WNR3500L router giving me low throughput. Bought some used Intellinet Wireless N AP from work (we recycle old IT equipment) and now I get 3/4 of my max speed from Comcast compared to my wired desktop. This applied to my phones, laptop, and tablets. All got a good speed boost in Speedtest.net.

    This is even after modding my WNR3500L with (3) 9dbi external antennas. This is the AP I have: http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...ase&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=google_base

    I actually have 2 of them on the opposite side of the house (connected via CAT6 ethernet and switches) so both ends get great signal and speed. I suggest you rid yourself of using that AT&T wireless signal and get an AP that outputs better signal. Then just get a moderately good internal or USB WiFi adapter for your desktop and you're set.
     
  10. ChankMcStank

    ChankMcStank Member

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    And I even tried those powerline adapters (before I moved my modem upstairs since my office is upstairs along with most of our PCs) and they are pretty spotty depending on your wiring conditions and what's being loaded on them at the moment. Those are really a hit or miss type of deals, in my opinion.
     
  11. heypartner

    heypartner Member

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    Wireless is cool, but at some point when fiber gets all the way inside our houses, we are all moving back to wired.

    What are you going to do then?
     
  12. ChankMcStank

    ChankMcStank Member

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    Because wireless is convenient and when fiber gets "inside our houses", wireless technology will have improved as well. Is my tablet or smartphone gonna have to be wired too to use the innernets at that point?
     
  13. heypartner

    heypartner Member

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    No...did I say that? I'm just make a point about maximizing speed. I agree with your comments.

    But, Fiber will change the world more than incremental improvements in wireless. Because it will unleash more content.

    Wireless will eventually become known as the convenient, but slow way.

    Like, A Fire Upon the Deep
     
  14. Cold Hard

    Cold Hard Member

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    That is indeed where your problem is. Wireless-G is crap by today's standards. If AT&T Uverse gave you that router anytime over the past 2-3 years then they are just being cheap. Just about every router today is wireless-N, some are dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), and some newer routers are now supporting the latest wireless standard, 802.11ac (wireless-AC). You might want to look into getting a new router that supports at least N. That Dell USB adapter would then get used to its proper potential and you should get a nice speed increase. (Depending on how far away the adapter/desktop is located from the router, of course.) Also, if you have any smartphones or tablets that aren't that old (say 3 years old or newer), then it's very likely they support 802.11n also.

    I second tested911's recommendation, and use powerline adapters myself. However, in addition to reading up on powerline networking, if you decide to go that route be sure to purchase the adapters from a store with a decent return policy.
     
  15. Scionxa

    Scionxa Member

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    I second the use of powerline network adapters. Also, make sure the wireless card of your devices is capable of transmitting a high throughput. I have a 100mbps connection but my wireless clients will only go as far as 70mbps & some devices like my phones and tablets will only reach 25 or so.

    You could try changing the channel on the wireless router, but personally, don't use an extender. That's a garbage way of fixing internet signal for people who aren't tech savvy.

    If you're sure it's the wireless signal and not your devices capabilities, you could run a cable from the current router, purchase a new router, set it with a static IP address, broadcast with same SSID and WPA encyprtion as your first one, and have the original router handle DHCP requests so it can assign IP addresses without conflict. Then you'd pretty much "roam" onto the new router when you're in that area and it would likely clear up.

    I recommend Apple routers and Buffalo routers. Get rid of the **** your ISP gives you
     
  16. ChankMcStank

    ChankMcStank Member

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    Well, it's not gonna be like he switches to any N router, his signal is instantly gonna be better; There are some horrible routers with **** signal output out there like my Netgear WNR3500L even with DDWRT installed with some signal enhancements in the settings.

    Just make sure to read the reviews and see which one can output a decent signal first and not any N router expecting to perform any better. Greco, even the Linksys WRT54G router is still Based God when it comes to signal output.
     
  17. ChankMcStank

    ChankMcStank Member

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    Sorry, using Swype with its own autocorrect on my Note 2 so don't mind the stuff that don't make sense.

    But yeah, log into your AT&T router and adjust the channel you're on to something else (if you're on 5, try 1 or 11) and try it out. Couldn't hurt so even if you get a new router, you'll know which channel is less used around your area for optimal signal strength.
     
  18. Scionxa

    Scionxa Member

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    If OP has a smartphone, there are apps that do site surveys that will tell you the best channel to use.
     
  19. aeroman10

    aeroman10 Member

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  20. Space Ghost

    Space Ghost Member

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    For the cheap side, I would recommend an Apple Airport Router. There are some beefier equipment out there, but its a bit more expensive.
     

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