Horrible Connection with Wireless

I bought a linksys WRT54G v5 wireless router and a linksys WMP54G v4 pci adapter. I sometimes get a connection and then when I use the internet the speed goes down to 1.0mbps and doesn't go anywhere. Sometimes it goes back up after a bit but other times I just lose connection. When that happens the speed usually tops out at 11mbps so I know when its coming. And very rarely do I get a good connection when it stays at 54mbps and 48mbps. I have the problem usually when the other computer in the network, which is wired, is using some of the bandwidth for example, surfing the net and msn. But sometimes when nobody is on the computer I still get a crappy connection. I phoned linksys support but they suck, I got guys with east indian accents which I can't understand very well and they hung up on me like 4 times and they know about as much as I do when it comes to wireless networks which isn't much. I have a clear path to my other computer, there is no microwave or anything in the way, and there are some stairs and a few walls in the way but its only like 25ft distance. Is there any suggestions you guys can offer me?

Also if you guys suggest any better router or adapter please do cause I can always go out and get a different one.

 

Also I have Telus as my ISP and my friend told me they suck with routers.

 

Stairs, walls, etc can indeed slow down or stop a connection, depending on what's there. I would want to move the wireless computer right near the router to prove it was/wasn't an interference issue.

You might try changing channels. If there is electromagnetic (EMF) or other interference, that can really help sometimes by getting you on another frequency.

If you have a serious interference problem, sometimes you can add a repeater between the router and the wireless nic to boost the signal back up. Look for a wireless access point appliance to do that job for you.

Of course you may have defective equipment. Something as routine as a bad patch cable from the wired machine to the router can cause havoc. If that cat5 has ever been stretched, kinked, etc., it can blast out a bunch of emf all by itself. Cat5, including 5e and 6 has 8 wires twisted into 4 pairs. The twist rate (number of twists per foot) is different on each pair so that they will generate different frequencies of emf and not "cross talk." If that is disrupted, you can have a slow cable, or a "noisy" cable.

I would have wanted the versions on the router and the nic to match. Is there a firmware upgrade available for the nic?

This again is just me, but I'd move the wireless box right next to the router and with the wired one still running, and go through the scenarios. You'll find it.

 

Get a copy of NetStumbler (free download) for your PC and see what other wireless signals it sees, and on which channels. You'll want to set your router to one as far away from the others as possible. Most default to channel 6.

 

The cable is no kinked or stretched and I doubted that anyways because the computer that is wired to the network is not experiencing any difficulties. I just updated my firmware yesterday for my router now I'm about to see if there are any updates for my pci adapter. I tried changing the channel and it told me to press the easy setup button the front of the router and the light kept blinking and said on the screen when I went into the administration that it is now accepting clients and I got a different wireless network on my other computer but the connection wasn't good enough so it couldn't connect and when it went back to that page that allows me to select a channel it was back at 6 and nothing had changed.

 

You can't necessarily tell if a cable has ever been stretched or kinked by looking at it. It has 8 wires but uses only 4 for ethernet. It might work fine to transmit data and still screech with emf on another cross wire. Admins often have a policy of replacing patch cables every time they are moved or switched; they are that delicate.

I can make suggestions, such as starting with the remote computer right next to the router etc., and then running the scenarios, but you sure are free to do as you please.

techsalong,
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I'm in an electrical pre-apprenticeship class and right now we are doing cabling systems and my teacher has a $20,000 tester that I'll use to to test my cable if he still has it there. I still doubt it because I have no speed problems on my wired computer. I think its just the stairs. My bro's room which is right next to mine is an addon so it has steel studs in the walls which are probably another problem. I'll try to get a different pci adapter with a corded antenna that will help me move it around the room to get the best signal.

I used that NetStumbler and there is only one wireless network where I live. I looked at the signal noise and it seems i'm getting good reception when it detects it but when I connect the noise goes to 200db.

 

It may well be that it isn't the cable and I haven't taken any stand saying it is. We just like to start with the most obvious and the easiest and the cheapest and go from there.

In your first post you mentioned this: " I have the problem usually when the other computer in the network, which is wired, is using some of the bandwidth for example, surfing the net and msn."

OK, so we try to deal with how that could possibly affect your wireless connection. That PC is near the router - at least the cable is. We don't know from the description how close the PC is. We don't know if you mean that the wired PC is turned clear off most of the time, but when you turn it on it affects the wireless, or if it is always on and only when you connect (wired) to the network you have the wireless problem. So we don't know if maybe the PC has a bad fan or power supply or something else with emf, or if maybe the cable has unusual emf. We know only that this is a clue and a strange one that bears investigation. Sharing and decreasing internet bandwidth is one thing, but there is no way that this would affect your wireless connection. Your wireless connection is way, way, way faster than your internet speed, so this is not pulling down your wireless. Something else is.

Make sense?

Also, you mentioned, "I have a clear path to my other computer, there is no microwave or anything in the way, and there are some stairs and a few walls in the way but its only like 25ft distance. Is there any suggestions you guys can offer me?"

So there's a clue. All of those items between the router and the wireless computer could be a huge factor, and now you're even remembering that there are steel studs.

As I said, do as you wish of course. It's yours, after all. I gave you my best shot at what sounds like "clues" and how I would figure out what the problem is and why.

If that were mine - one thing. But it's yours, so you decide.

Good luck,

techsalong,
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I bought a new power supply in August but that was way before my router. I have moved the router before making this thread from ontop of the tower to next to it and being seperated by a peice of wood which i know wouldn't stop the emi. I'll move it around and see what I get in different spots.

 

OK, that sounds good. Let me know what it is when you find out, all right? It's process of elimination and I'm always curious to know...

 

I just put my router like 2 ft above the tower and still no change. It seems to work better at night.

 

And Also, recommend any better router or adapter.

 

You moved the router to the different room via ethernet cable? To where the wireless box is? That was smart.

It's just process of elimination. This is where it's handy to have lots of extra parts to start swapping out. You could have a bad router or wireless nic, modem, cable, or your wireless machine could be putting out emf and interferring with the nic.

If the router is now right near the wireless machine and you have this problem, then...maybe I'd pop the nic in the other box and try that, shutting down the one that's now wireless.

At night? You don't have a bunch of fluorescent lights nearby by any chance? Nasty for emf.

 

I did not put my router right next to my adapter.

I do have a kitchen one floor below me and it has flourescent lights lighting it up. I'll try keeping those off.

 

Can you try to explain better what you are doing, then? Where is you equipment - both computers and the router now?

If the lights are right below you, and you said it's worse at night, play with that. You never want to run a wire, coax or ethernet, too close to a flourescent fixture. It can kill your signal. Same for your your wireless equip. Since the lights are right below, if you have your wires or equipment right above them, or if the lights are between them, that might be all it would take.

BTW, you can ruin ethernet cable by stapling it. It can't be compressed at all. There is just one brand of stapler and one brand and type of staple that is approved for ethernet cable. You can't fix the cable after that either.

 

I have to put my 2 cents in on wireless here.
From reading people's problems with wireless I don't think they understand this.

The very first thing you do with a troubled wireless device is take it next to the transmission device and see if the problem still there. (I know this can be a pain)

There are so many "gadgets" in a house or place of business that can affect a wireless (and wired) signal that people do not realize.

I'll give you some examples.
computer monitor, computer power supply, battery back-up, flouresant lights, refrigerator, microwave, cordless phone, TV, Stereo receivers, Nextel cell phone, stereo speakers (even when not on), Game Consoles, wireless game controllers, Cars and Trucks...... Anything thing that is plugged into eclectic. Anything with an electric motor. Your house wiring could affect it. We also can not forget what your house is built from. Metal and brick affect signal strength.

The first thing you do when having problems is eliminate all sources that could give you problems. By moving next to the transmission source you could eliminate alot of interference.

Electrical noise can go thru wood and bad cables make a ton of noise (even if they still work).

Matt

 

Thanks Matt,

If you'll read my very first post in this thread at the very bottom, and look at my last line, and then read on up the thread, you'll see that I've been trying to get him to do that from the beginning but without success.

Maybe your voice chiming in will have some affect here. I'm going to have to stop trying to help him until he does that.

Have a great weekend

 

Ok, so I put my computer right next to the router and it would not detect the network even when I made the to antennas touch. I'm going to futureshop to get them replaced or get different ones today. Any of you guys recommend any good routers and adapters?

 

Good job. I can't say which is best myself. I have netgear at home because there was a big rebate. I've set up belkin, Dlink and Linksys all with good luck.

I can find a bad piece of equipment in any type and any brand. Just had to RMA a dead on arrival ASUS mobo which was a surprise.

 

I got both the router and adapter replaced. I am going to test both on my friend's network to see if the computer with the adapter is messing it up.