Should I buy a wireless N Router?

markfj

well, here is the situation

I have a main Pc, which has the modem and router installed to it.

We have 2 Laptops, 1 other PC and an xbox 360 connected to the wireless network, 2 laptops get perfect speed with their wireless cards, the pc gets ~love~ reception with the same brand USB dongle

I am trying to stream files from my pc (not the wired one) to the xbox wirelessly, it has worked fine previosuly, but my signal on my PC is ~love~ today and it keeps coming up with errors on the xbox too

So, my choices are i guess, to buy a wireless card for my pc to replace the dongle, or get a wireless N router and card and get those installed

I think we are on the basic broadband, not the quickest in the world, but I want to stream files to the xbox 360 without issues.

DVardysShadow

The speed and quality of your broadband connection is irrelevant - nothing you are doing uses it. You could unplug from the phone line, if you like.

The first issue I would look at is the USB dongle. I would personally replace it with an N compatible card before looking at replacing the router.

markfj

thanks for the reply, apppreciate the info

So, you would suggest a wireless N PCI Card? I though that the router would have to be Wireless N as well as ther card to get better streght, but thats whay I am asking, as I dont fully understand
I have a Netgear Mimo wireless Rangemax wpn824 currently and using their dongle, I was going to buy their brand card too, but I guess any wireless N card should work?

thanks again

DVardysShadow

You would need to check out whether any particular N card would work with your present router, but by the nature of the product, allowing you to access wireless anywhere you are authorised, I would expect this to be universally not a problem. I see no point in replacing the router because everything else works with it. I see every point in replacing the USB dongle because it is in line with your problem and because USB is fairly useless for serious networking.

markfj

thanks again appreicate your help

Just another quick question, if I can

Obviously my network connection cant be great on the xbox as it drops during playing, would you say thats because of my PC with the dongle having rubbish connection, or would yo suggest upgrading the the wireless N nternet adapter from the xbox?

Thats it now questions over thanks again!

DVardysShadow

I know nothing of xbox. But I would start with the USB connection and see what happens.

wadia860

markfj wrote: »

thanks again appreicate your help

Just another quick question, if I can

Obviously my network connection cant be great on the xbox as it drops during playing, would you say thats because of my PC with the dongle having rubbish connection, or would yo suggest upgrading the the wireless N nternet adapter from the xbox?

Thats it now questions over thanks again!

Hi mate,

My PS3 [wireless gaming] went from infuriating impossible (on Orange broadband), to excellent on Virgin last week. However, I went wired just to try it and I won't go back to wireless now..it's fab!

I'm going to guess that it may be difficult to run a Cat5 from your router to your XBox as they are probably in different rooms, but if you can, then do it. My connection is rock solid.

wadia860

Mark,

just reread your post mate. Go this route first.

DVardysShadow wrote: »

The speed and quality of your broadband connection is irrelevant - nothing you are doing uses it. You could unplug from the phone line, if you like.

The first issue I would look at is the USB dongle. I would personally replace it with an N compatible card before looking at replacing the router.

DVardysShadow is correct,, the internet shouldn't have any bearing on your problem if you are only streaming. However, if you are gaming, then my post is relevant.

markfj

thanks for the info guys

Here is the situation

I have a MIMO Range max router, so its 108mbps.... and I have he Rangemax wpn111 Dongle as explained, my xbox receives Perfect connection to the network, as does the 2 laptops.

My PC however with the dongle attacthed doesnt, I have had issues with xp, and now windows 7.... so, spoke to guys at netgear and they said, not to get a wireless N card, beause it will only connect at 54mbps, not 108mbps, as they are not compatable

would that really matter? I mean I can barely stream anything from my wireless PC to he xbox, and the xbox works perfectly on the wirelesss network

hope I am making sense!

Thanks

DVardysShadow

I really am out of touch with standards - I thought there was a standard for 108Mb/s. But if this kit uses proprietary technology rather than open standards based technology, then it is a dead end and you are better off using standard kit unless you have an overriding need for features provided by the proprietary technology.

If N connects reliably at 54Mb/s and the router supports N, then that is what you should look at. If your rangemax USB adapter does not do the job and you cannnot find a suitable card to replace it, you should consider ditching the router too!

JasX

Alot of conflicting advice here, were I in your position I'd try doing some testing to work out which wireless link is giving me the bulk of my problem...

markfj wrote: »

I have a main Pc, which has the modem and router installed to it.

I'm going to assume this is incorrect any you have a standard ADSL type modem connected to your phone line, the internet works when your main PC is off and the modem and router are not 'installed' on anything.


If you're worried about one or other of the wireless links causing streaming problems you could try the following:

1- use an ethernet cable to wire your PC into your router, try streaming files to the Xbox wirelesly from the router.

2- use an ethernet cable to wire your xbox into your router, try streaming files to the Xbox + router wirelesly from the PC.

3-hopefully your router has more than 1 ethernet port -try wiring both in and streaming then.

If case 1 is problematic you should look at upgrading the wireless link between your PC and router or doing something to make that permanently wired

If case 2 is problematic you should look at upgrading the network link between your xbox and router (might get a bit cumbersome assuming xbox doesn;t support wireless 'N')

If case 3 gives you problems the issue isn't with the wireless links within your house!