[Q] Wireless Network Issue, Reccomendations

I am currently hooked on to a wireless connection, with the modem being about 30-40 feet down the hall. The modem is a Bell 2Wire 2701HG-G, and the USB wireless receiver is a D-Link DWA-160A2.

The computer the modem is hooked up to is my room mates, and is rather slow, but that's where the Bell guys hooked it up to with the Fibre Optics, and it runs with a connection of 16 mbps download/1 mbps upload (which is what we are paying for). However, I only ever receive between 30-50% connection, and so I am running at 4-7 mbps on average.

I don't have much knowledge on internet hardware, so am unsure what the ideal option would be. I am trying to not spend money, or spend as little as possible to get a better wireless connection.

Would it be better to purchase a cheap wireless card for my computer, invest in a wireless N hub, or is there other options available?

50bani Romania. July 18 2012 02:55. Posts 475

Profile Blog #

You mean the modem has an incorporated wireless router? Well, then, try to determine if it is the cause of the bad signal.

I'm posting on twoplustwo because I have always been amazed at the level of talent that populates this site --- it's almost unparalleled on the Internet.

bimmel Germany. July 18 2012 03:12. Posts 16

Profile #

Hi,

your wireless is fine, about 30 feet (~10 m) the loss of your speed is absolutly normal so there are in my opinion few things you can do.

- Try a USB-Cable four your wirless stick is a very cheap one and get closer to the modem. you can try this, because it's very cheap.

- Try a D-LAN (PowerLan) instead of a W-Lan but that's about 60 €+

hope i could help

bimmel

Last edit: 2012-07-18 03:12:56

Tarfire Canada. July 18 2012 13:21. Posts 67

Profile #

Yes the modem is also a wireless router.

Why should I only get 30-50% connection from down the hall, when my PS3 two floors down has 99-100% constantly?

Myrmidon United States. July 18 2012 13:40. Posts 8484

Profile Blog #

What's 30-50% correspond to? What's 99-100% correspond to? (These percentages are just made-up interpretations—so not comparable—based on some kind of raw data that may not be so accurate anyway.) That said, in some kind of real unit of measurement, that probably still indicates that your computer is getting a worse connection.

This kind of wireless communications at that frequency is very much affected by shadowing and fading: losses from objects or walls blocking the signal, and multiple signal paths from the transmitter to receiver combining in potentially destructive ways. Dependence on positioning can be very large; it's not just about distance.

I'd suggest moving the wireless adapter to different positions. As suggested, a USB extension cable may be handy. In general, avoid having the adapter stuck behind a computer chassis or other objects. Higher off the ground is usually better. Think about what's between the adapter and the device it's connecting to.

Tarfire Canada. July 18 2012 13:44. Posts 67

Profile #

Percentages as in total connection I'm receiving. Playstation 3 two floors below the wireless is getting a solid 16 mbps, while my computer down the hall from the wireless is getting roughly 5 mbps.

That's the part that makes me feel like I could somehow be getting a better connection.

Infernal_dream United States. July 18 2012 13:55. Posts 1572

Profile #

On July 18 2012 13:44 Tarfire wrote:
Percentages as in total connection I'm receiving. Playstation 3 two floors below the wireless is getting a solid 16 mbps, while my computer down the hall from the wireless is getting roughly 5 mbps.

That's the part that makes me feel like I could somehow be getting a better connection.

Have you checked your packet loss? Or tried setting up priorities for every device connected to your modem/router? I dunno if yours can or not.

Tarfire Canada. July 18 2012 14:02. Posts 67

Profile #

I'm not sure that it can. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers for the adapter, as well as I have a cord that came with the adapter, so I put it on my desk instead of behind the tower. Doesn't seem anything has improved at all.

I just don't have the money to spend on it. I am getting 3.8 mbps at the moment as show on speedtest . net. Do they sell ethernet cords long enough that would be able to go through the vents, down the hall, and into my vent? (A suggestion from a friend). That would probably be a pretty penny as well.

lorcasTV Canada. July 18 2012 17:19. Posts 100

Profile #

1- Try a cable connection to see if you can transfer faster than what you get wirelessly. This is only temporairy so you can move your computer next to the router for tests with the cable. If you go at full speed, move to step 2. If you don't, your computer causes the slowdown to 5mbps somehow (check for viruses, spyware, firewalls, anti-virus applications). Best way to figure out if it's hardware or software is to download ubuntu and run it off the CD and then do a speedtest see if it works better.

2- While you're next to the router, try wirelessly. This will eliminate any body of interference between your room and the router (water pipes, microwaves, dead cadavres in the walls). If it slows back down to 5mbps, it is possible that your wireless card has a defect or has a compatibility issue. If you're using special drivers, try and disable burst mode or whatever bullshit the wireless card manufacturer tries to sell as 'super fast speeds'. The 2wire doesn't do burst mode.
If it doesn't slow down, then there is interference between your room and the router. You can try and reposition your PC in your room so that the signal has a different angle to the router. RF signals bounces on walls and it is possible you're in a dead spot (RF colliding and cancelling itself out).

edit: if you're thinking of getting an ethernet cable, get one on monoprice.com. Avoid your local electronics store like the plague. Paying 1$ per feet should be a criminal offense.

Last edit: 2012-07-18 17:23:49

Please log in or register to reply.