Desperately seeking computer/internet advice

[bellystrokes]

So here’s the deal:

I am sending this message out to everyone and posting on other forum--- I am frustrated and hopefully some lovely computer god/geek/nerd/enthusist/etc will have some advice.

So here is the deal:

3 computers in home:
2 PC downstairs
1 Laptop upstairs (the newsest in the bunch)

Modem is downstairs.
Wireless router is downstairs

Downstairs PCs rarely have internet problems
Upstairs laptop is constantly being denied internet access and is constantly being kicked out, etc

Household knows all about turning off computers, unplugging, then re-plugging, re-booting BUT success is limited.

I would appreciate any suggestions, ideas, etc, to resolve this issue. Post here or in pm if you like. Thank you in advance.

 

[OnnaOtaku]

You should try to hardwire the laptop. Meaning, run an ethernet cable from the modem to the laptop direct. This will show if your laptop has any problems with its wireless card or what not. If it works just fine, then my guess is that the router might be broken or something. I've had a very similar situation at my old house. My ex's router was crap and I could never connect to our network and always had to "steal" internet from someone nearby. Also, make sure everything is connected properly and hooked up in the right places.

 

[bellystrokes]

Thanks, babe.
Will try that in a bit.
And picking your brains here. would i be better off, just having the pc connected to a modem direct? Would distant be a factor?

Also, I do have high speed cable. Thanks again.

 

[drew70]

I'm not an expert, Bellystrokes, but I'll offer what advice I can. Maybe The Wiz will see this and respond. This is his expertise.

I'd say for the PC's, which I'm presuming aren't mobile, an Ethernet cable for a direct connection is the best idea. I'm guessing they are already set up that way, hence no problems.

Now for the laptop, your wireless network software should have some kind of option to tell you how strong a signal you're getting. Unless you live in Al Gore's mansion you should get a decent signal anywhere in the house.

Once you verify you've got a good signal, then it sounds to me like you have security issues. Check to see if your laptop and router are set up for security encryption. Most use something called WEP, (Web Incryption Protocol). If it is set up for security, you might try disabling it, to see if that helps the problem. If it does, then you can leave it disabled, but you're neighbors will have the option to "hitchhike," and use your bandwidth.

Finally, if you check and find your laptop and router are NOT set up with secure encryption, you might try implimenting it. Could be a neighbor is accessing your router, possibly with your same IP address.

As for how to check all these things, I'll help in any way I can, but if you have a friend who is savvy, it would probably be easier on you.

 

[bellystrokes]

Thanks babe. The whole neighbor thing might make sense, cuz it is worse, way worse at night, Also, I am doing ok now, but I have physically moved the laptop downstairs. Oy!!!!!!!!!!!!
Again thanks, all responses will be considered and studied heheheehe

 

[jaba]

HERE's the REAL problem.....

the problem, beautiful, is that you are wearing socks upstairs, and not walking around on those adorably ticklish bare feet......

because of this serious transgression, you are creating too much static electricity, which everybody knows affects most wireless transmissions..

remove the socks, and your problem is solved.....

do you need "in home" tech help with that...."issue"?..... 😉

 

[unclebill]

I think the problem is you need a new office built in your home, and I may have a carpenter in mind that can do the job for you, my dear.

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Alternatively, if your wireless is not reaching, you can use Powerline Networking. This technology users your house's power outlets as network access points that special devices can connect to. In other words, you have a base station for the powerline system that you plug a normal ethernet cable into. You then plug that into a normal wall power outlet. You can then plug the receiver into any power outlet in the house and it will receive internet through the power lines. An example of this technology is the Linksys PLK 200: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124096

Newegg's category page: http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=294&name=Powerline-Networking

 

[Icycle]

If you are getting a wireless connection at all, then security is definitely not the issue. Security problems are an all or nothing kind of thing: either it works or it doesn't.

Distance from your wireless base station is certainly a possibility. Walls and floors between the base station and the laptop can absorb some the signal. Your operating system should have a signal strength indicator. If you have a weak signal, you can try moving or re-orienting the base station, the laptop, or both to get a better signal. In extreme cases, you can even get a wireless repeater to expand the area with a strong signal. Signal strength can be a problem even in a small house. I live in a one bedroom apartment, and I needed to add a wireless repeater to get a consistent strong signal from the kitchen, where the base station lives to the bedroom computer.

Another possibility is interference from other wireless networks. There are 11 different wireless network channels, and if any of your neighbors are using the same channel as you, or a channel within 4 channels of you, there can be interference which can cause network speed and connectivity problems. I suspect that this may be your problem, due to the fact that it is worst in the evening, exactly when you would expect people to get home and start using the Internet.

Many base stations default to channel 1, which makes this kind of conflict particularly likely. Try resetting your base station to use channel 5 or channel 11 and see if that helps.

Good luck!

 

[Ayla ny]

Another possibility is interference from other wireless networks. There are 11 different wireless network channels, and if any of your neighbors are using the same channel as you, or a channel within 4 channels of you, there can be interference which can cause network speed and connectivity problems. I suspect that this may be your problem, due to the fact that it is worst in the evening, exactly when you would expect people to get home and start using the Internet.

Many base stations default to channel 1, which makes this kind of conflict particularly likely. Try resetting your base station to use channel 5 or channel 11 and see if that helps.

Good luck!

This makes a whole lot of sense and is something I need to look into myself. Thanks for posting it!

 

[bellystrokes]

Wow, thanks, Icycle, Ayla, Divine Shadow. Trust me, I am going to print and study these answers and try some of them out and test and re-test. I am on a mission!!! Take care.

 

[bellystrokes]

If you are getting a wireless connection at all, then security is definitely not the issue. Security problems are an all or nothing kind of thing: either it works or it doesn't.

Distance from your wireless base station is certainly a possibility. Walls and floors between the base station and the laptop can absorb some the signal. Your operating system should have a signal strength indicator. If you have a weak signal, you can try moving or re-orienting the base station, the laptop, or both to get a better signal. In extreme cases, you can even get a wireless repeater to expand the area with a strong signal. Signal strength can be a problem even in a small house. I live in a one bedroom apartment, and I needed to add a wireless repeater to get a consistent strong signal from the kitchen, where the base station lives to the bedroom computer.

Another possibility is interference from other wireless networks. There are 11 different wireless network channels, and if any of your neighbors are using the same channel as you, or a channel within 4 channels of you, there can be interference which can cause network speed and connectivity problems. I suspect that this may be your problem, due to the fact that it is worst in the evening, exactly when you would expect people to get home and start using the Internet.

Many base stations default to channel 1, which makes this kind of conflict particularly likely. Try resetting your base station to use channel 5 or channel 11 and see if that helps.

Good luck!

I confess, I am dumb about computers!!
What do you mean about security? I have MacAfee Security, is that what you mean? I recently renewed and upgraded. I am getting on now perfectly fine at night, downstairs..............so would security still be the problem? I hope this question made some sense. Thank you.

 

[jaba]

Wow, thanks, Icycle, Ayla, Divine Shadow. Trust me, I am going to print and study these answers and try some of them out and test and re-test. I am on a mission!!! Take care.

well uncle Bill, we tried to help her...... 😀

but it's apparent now that miss strokes prefers the advice of those "Tech geeks" over us "Tech boobs".....

A preference for "geeks" over "boobs"?.....go figure?......

 

[His Divine Shadow]

I confess, I am dumb about computers!!
What do you mean about security? I have MacAfee Security, is that what you mean? I recently renewed and upgraded. I am getting on now perfectly fine at night, downstairs..............so would security still be the problem? I hope this question made some sense. Thank you.

McAfee has nothing to do with it, aye. However, the reference was to the security of your wireless network. Wireless networks often are, by default, unsecured. This means you need enter no password/passcode to connect to the wireless network. A secured wireless network has a passcode of some sort that MUST be entered before connecting. As was said, that is not the problem for you.

 

[bellystrokes]

McAfee has nothing to do with it, aye. However, the reference was to the security of your wireless network. Wireless networks often are, by default, unsecured. This means you need enter no password/passcode to connect to the wireless network. A secured wireless network has a passcode of some sort that MUST be entered before connecting. As was said, that is not the problem for you.

Making sense now; thank you dear.


Sorry Jaba and Bill, I am somewhat focused on resolving that issue, but you know I adore you.

 

[jaba]

Sorry Jaba and Bill, I am somewhat focused on resolving that issue, but you know I adore you.

We absolutely know you do, sweety, and we adore you also,.....and us "bozos" with no relevant expertise here will now remove ourselves from this thread, so you can get some real help with your issue..... 🙂

Good luck....I hope the "real" advisers here can help you.......

 

[unclebill]

Making sense now; thank you dear.


Sorry Jaba and Bill, I am somewhat focused on resolving that issue, but you know I adore you.

hmmm....A back and shoulder massage would make me feel "adored" once again. 🙂 Jaba and myself are warm, sensitive guys. No, really we are. hehe