Linksys wireless router - poor signal, can you help?

zzzLazyDaisy

Hi, am hoping someone can help me before I go mad!!!

I have a laptop and connect to broadband via a Linksys wireless router. But the signal is awful - the distance is only about 4 feet, and the signal rarely gets above 50% - often a lot less, and frequently drops out altogether. If I move rooms I have to move the router and mess about positioning my chair so i can pick the signal up.

I know this isn't right, coz my sis has the same system and I can use the laptop anywhere in the house, and even the garden, when I'm with her.

Things are so bad that I'm thinking of having extra telephone sockets installed and changing over to an ordinary plug-in modem!

Any ideas?

Many thanks,you guys are great!! :beer:

chem14346777

What makes are your router and wireless card?

I did a quick Google and found this;

http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark,13799404

Don't know if that will be any help tho.. I had a similar problem and found raising my router a couple of feet off the ground (sticking it on the telly), and turning it a bit gave my PC in the next room a much better signal... Basically I just kept moving the router and PC till I found the optimum speed, tho the set up is still far from ideal.

One thing I did find when looking into my problem was that you can buy little signal gain things that look like radars that you can affix to the antenna of your router or wireless card.. I have the URL for the site that sells these, and also instructions on how to make your own, but they are at home somewhere. I'll dig them out for you tonight if I get a few minutes.

Edit; Here it is, its under a 10'er...

https://secure25.easyspace.com/www.tritium.co.uk/BuyonlineUK.htm

Can't find the instructions for building your own though.

Seems strange that things arn't working from such a short distance, maybe its a configuration thing or a fault...?

wolfman

Do you have any devices nearby that may cause problems with the signal? Certain cordless phones, microwave ovens etc... all can interfere with the wireless frequencies.

What model of Linksys is it too. For quite a few of the models there's custom firmware that people have written themselves, which adds extra functionality to the current firmware. One of which is an option for boosting the signal from what I can remember.

zzzLazyDaisy

chem14346777 wrote:

What makes are your router and wireless card?

The Router is Linksys model WAG54G

The wireless card is Belkin (I used to have NTL with a Belkin router before I changed to ADSL). But the Belkin wireless card works fine with my sister's Linksys wireless router, so I don't think it can be that, although I'd be happy to buy a new card if there is a reasonable chance it might help

I did a quick Google and found this;

http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark,13799404

Okay, thanks, I'll have a look at this. I have tried raising/moving/turning the router, but unless i'm within a few feet of it, I can't get a signal.


One thing I did find when looking into my problem was that you can buy little signal gain things that look like radars that you can affix to the antenna of your router or wireless card.. I have the URL for the site that sells these, and also instructions on how to make your own, but they are at home somewhere. I'll dig them out for you tonight if I get a few minutes.

Edit; Here it is, its under a 10'er...

https://secure25.easyspace.com/www.tritium.co.uk/BuyonlineUK.htm

Thanks, I'll look into this too

Seems strange that things arn't working from such a short distance, maybe its a configuration thing or a fault...?

Maybe. I am at my wits end. I am disabled and depend on my Laptop for communication. I never had these problems with my NTL/Belkin set-up. I changed because I was offered a really good ADSL deal, but now I'm not convinced that this is an area where money-saving is appropriate!!

:mad:

zzzLazyDaisy

wolfman wrote:

Do you have any devices nearby that may cause problems with the signal? Certain cordless phones, microwave ovens etc... all can interfere with the wireless frequencies.

Yes, I do have a cordeless phone in both of the rooms where I tend to use the laptop the most. But I have tried switching them off, and rebooting - makes no difference whatsoever.....

What model of Linksys is it too.

WAG54G


For quite a few of the models there's custom firmware that people have written themselves, which adds extra functionality to the current firmware. One of which is an option for boosting the signal from what I can remember.

I hope that isn't as complicated as it sounds - i am definitely a 'point and shoot' girl!!!

Thanks for your input... I will keep fiddling, hopefully something will do the trick!

boogiemaster

You can buy a better aerial for you router that will pick up the signal a lot better.
I have the belkin and my daughter’s pc signal strength is 120 Meg.
Buy a better and longer aerial from where you bought it from, longer aerial should make it receive better.

wolfman

Seems like quite a few people are having problems...

http://forums.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=621&PN=3

Just type in "wag54g poor signal" into google and you should get quite a few results.

From reading what other people are doing, I'd send it back to Linksys. It should be under warranty, request a new unit as at 4ft distance, 50% signal is not acceptable.

zzzLazyDaisy

Thanks Wolfman, that is really helpful. At least I know it isn't just me!!

I got it from PC world, not so long ago... but no idea what I did with the receipt!!!

I'll contact Linkys direct and see what they say

Thanks again!

boogiemaster

Or take it back to pc world and swap it for another one and say its a load of Crap!
I did that with my networing kit, but i also paid some more money for my Belkin.
But pc world are ok and will swap it it for better one.