New wireless card or get an access point? *UPDATE*

MaesterB · 06-09-2006, 10:05 AM

Okay. I moved my computer across the house and my wireless signal dropped to shit. It just sucks.

I've tried new firmware (it's a WRT54G), placing it in different spots in the house and it just doesn't quite do it. I even put it in our bedroom, which is right above my computer room, and I get the same crappy signal level.

Could it be my wireless card isn't hacking it, or should I buy a wireless access point to carry the signal more?

I tried a Netgear router and got the same result. Now, there is a lot of interference from one end of the house to the other, but I don't think it would be that big of a deal (a few walls).

What do you guys think?

ivwshane · 06-09-2006, 11:35 AM

Is the wireless card in a laptop or a desktop? Do you have the transmit power turned up on the card itself?
Have you tried the hacked firmware for your router that lets you boost the signal?

MaesterB · 06-09-2006, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivwshane

Is the wireless card in a laptop or a desktop? Do you have the transmit power turned up on the card itself?
Have you tried the hacked firmware for your router that lets you boost the signal?

Desktop system. Linksys Wireless Card. Never knew I could turn up the transmit power, seeing how I'm using windows built-in wireless utility.

Yes...I have the hacked firmware and fiddled with settings to no end, it didn't do anything except drop the signal of the router altogether, which I then had to reset in order to pick it up again. I don't want to crank up some of the settings too high, because then I have to buy another router no matter what.

I grabbed a card from work that I'm gonna try tonight, to see if it makes a difference. And it's not a linksys one...just a cheap TrendNet one, but I've had a lot of success with them lately.

ivwshane · 06-09-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaesterB

Quote:

Originally Posted by ivwshane

Is the wireless card in a laptop or a desktop? Do you have the transmit power turned up on the card itself?
Have you tried the hacked firmware for your router that lets you boost the signal?

Desktop system. Linksys Wireless Card. Never knew I could turn up the transmit power, seeing how I'm using windows built-in wireless utility.

Yes...I have the hacked firmware and fiddled with settings to no end, it didn't do anything except drop the signal of the router altogether, which I then had to reset in order to pick it up again. I don't want to crank up some of the settings too high, because then I have to buy another router no matter what.

I grabbed a card from work that I'm gonna try tonight, to see if it makes a difference. And it's not a linksys one...just a cheap TrendNet one, but I've had a lot of success with them lately.

From what I read bumping up the transmit power on the router to something like 70 is safe (I think the default is 50).

funkgab · 06-09-2006, 03:05 PM

you can bump from 50 to 85 on some linksys wrt's

MaesterB · 06-09-2006, 03:52 PM

My router is about 2 years old now. I tried cranking it as high as 65 and it really didn't help at all.

MaesterB · 06-09-2006, 09:34 PM

It was the card. I put in this TrendNet card and voila...my wireless is now steady at 54mbps, with signal between good and very good.

With the linksys, it was anywhere from low to very low...with speeds anywhere from 36 to 1mbps...go figure. I would have thought the linksys would be a better card than that. Oh well.

ivwshane · 06-09-2006, 10:27 PM

My opinion on linksys wireless products is that they suck.

MaesterB · 06-10-2006, 08:39 AM

I actually find Linksys to be step up on everyone else, but then again...I haven't had much experience with much else. Mostly, we stock DLink, Linksys, the occasional SMC, and this TrendNet stuff. The Trendnet actually is very good equipment, and it's cheap. Don't know the lifespan of the equipment, but who knows nowadays with any of them.

I definitely can't stand DLink though...crappity crap crap.

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06-09-2006, 10:05 AM	New wireless card or get an access point? UPDATE	permalink #1
MaesterB King of the Wicker People Jan 2005 Last Seen: Today Location: Frozen North Posts: 2,134 (#44) Thanked 0x in 0 posts x6	Okay. I moved my computer across the house and my wireless signal dropped to shit. It just sucks. I've tried new firmware (it's a WRT54G), placing it in different spots in the house and it just doesn't quite do it. I even put it in our bedroom, which is right above my computer room, and I get the same crappy signal level. Could it be my wireless card isn't hacking it, or should I buy a wireless access point to carry the signal more? I tried a Netgear router and got the same result. Now, there is a lot of interference from one end of the house to the other, but I don't think it would be that big of a deal (a few walls). What do you guys think?
	"...but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

06-09-2006, 11:35 AM	permalink #2
ivwshane Dont mess with old school Jan 2005 Last Seen: Today Location: CA Posts: 4,144 (#15) Thanked 2x in 2 posts x55	Is the wireless card in a laptop or a desktop? Do you have the transmit power turned up on the card itself? Have you tried the hacked firmware for your router that lets you boost the signal?

06-09-2006, 03:05 PM	permalink #5
funkgab Tweak Minion Jan 2005 Last Seen: 10-08-2008 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 1,185 (#78) Thanked 0x in 0 posts x1	you can bump from 50 to 85 on some linksys wrt's

06-09-2006, 03:52 PM	permalink #6
MaesterB King of the Wicker People Jan 2005 Last Seen: Today Location: Frozen North Posts: 2,134 (#44) Thanked 0x in 0 posts x6	My router is about 2 years old now. I tried cranking it as high as 65 and it really didn't help at all.

06-09-2006, 09:34 PM	permalink #7
MaesterB King of the Wicker People Jan 2005 Last Seen: Today Location: Frozen North Posts: 2,134 (#44) Thanked 0x in 0 posts x6	It was the card. I put in this TrendNet card and voila...my wireless is now steady at 54mbps, with signal between good and very good. With the linksys, it was anywhere from low to very low...with speeds anywhere from 36 to 1mbps...go figure. I would have thought the linksys would be a better card than that. Oh well.

06-09-2006, 10:27 PM	permalink #8
ivwshane Dont mess with old school Jan 2005 Last Seen: Today Location: CA Posts: 4,144 (#15) Thanked 2x in 2 posts x55	My opinion on linksys wireless products is that they suck.

06-10-2006, 08:39 AM	permalink #9
MaesterB King of the Wicker People Jan 2005 Last Seen: Today Location: Frozen North Posts: 2,134 (#44) Thanked 0x in 0 posts x6	I actually find Linksys to be step up on everyone else, but then again...I haven't had much experience with much else. Mostly, we stock DLink, Linksys, the occasional SMC, and this TrendNet stuff. The Trendnet actually is very good equipment, and it's cheap. Don't know the lifespan of the equipment, but who knows nowadays with any of them. I definitely can't stand DLink though...crappity crap crap.

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