Best network option for my scenario?

I've been helping out a family member of a friend with his home network. He had one of those Netgear powerline setups where you plugged in a unit near the router, plugged a network cable into that, then plugged in another unit where you wanted a wireless network. For some reason, his setup (which was a few months old) stopped working, so I picked up another similar Netgear system but that didn't work either! Well, it worked on the outlets that were near the base unit. I'm thinking something changed with the electrical wiring that doesn't let the Netgear units work.

Anyways, he has a Linksys WRT54g but it doesn't reach to a corner of the house where his kid's computers are. I can't move the router in closer because then the other half of the house won't be covered. Running wiring is pretty much out of the question / impossible as it is a 2 story house. And powerline networking apparently doesn't work in his house anymore... Now what???

Its a huge and pretty new house, I wish they would have prewired it for a network

 

I'm not sure if it would be the best for your friends situation, but here are two suggestions. First, you could consider trying to expand the range of the network using something like the gear listed under the "Range Expanders & Antennas" catagory on this page. Also, you could consider using another router or piece of equipment to pick up the wireless network and re-broadcast it, extending it's range. I'm not sure if some routers have the ability, but I believe some do. I'd have to look that up before I could tell you.

 

I thought about giving him my old Linksys range expander, but the range on it isn't too far. Plus it wasn't too reliable. My dad was always complaining that it would drop off and it wasn't too far from his PC.

Another thing I COULD do is have him relocate his DSL to his office which is closer to the dead spot, BUT, he has some kind of home automation / AV distribution / intercom / CCTV system hooked up to the WRT54 and I don't know if any of that stuff requires some kind of internet connection. I could ask him but I don't think he'll know. If not I can just get him some cheap switch and set it up. I hate wireless networks.

 

I see.. Well sorry I couldn't help you. I'm just learning a lot of this myself.