37 replies to this topic

[Silicon Skum]

I'll check re other mobile equipment as I have one of those digital tv transmitter things which sends sky tv to another tv in the house wirelessly.

The problem seems to be with the signal from the router as it keeps coming and going from the list of available wireless connections.

I see a link between those two quotes! That problem is the computer and modem are losing signal, it's not really a problem with the SKY internet connection or a fault with the router as such.

OK, the wifi router uses radio waves, 2.4Ghz frequency Microwave band as it happens, and MANY other wireless devices also use this same band, eg Cordles telephone, TV sender (like the SKY transmitter...), car alarm key fobs, etc. Also your microwave oven is using the same 2.4Ghz frequency, so CAN also cause interference.
The Netgear routers seem to be underpowered for WIFI - I recently set one up for some one, cable modem and router in one room, the computer in the next, only seperated by one thin stud wall and about 25ft of distance. Signal was weak as hell.

There are a few things you can do to improve the signal. One method is to turn off all of the other wireless devices you have and see if that improves things. Or you could try using different channels (channel 1 - 13 should be available) from the router's config page. The routers all come pre-set to a single channel, which most people do not change (or don't know how to or even what it does), so if there are other people with the same setup and channel number as you, there will be a LOT of signal noise on that channel.

Another method which should improve the signal, is to make a simple directional antenna for both the computer and modem antennas. This is not as hard as it sounds, all you need is a large tin can (soup can or beer can will work just fine), simply cut the can open down one side and open the can out so that it forms a large curved reflector. then place over the antenna on the router. Then aim the open side of the reflector towards the computer. This will direct the signal towards the computer, and will also reflect the signal from the computer onto the router's antenna. It's like having a much stronger transmitter, and it will also cut out some of the interference from other devices.

If you want to build one for the laptop, you will need to have an external antenna connector on the laptop or WIFI card. This is also more tricky to build, but still fairly easy to build.

some links:

http://www.metacafe....olic_reflector/

http://www.freeanten...jects/template/

http://www.turnpoint...tennahowto.html

http://www.nodomainn...na/cantenna.htm


Those links should give you some ideas, it doesn't have to be complicated for it to work - tinfoil and cardboard give very good results!

SS

[yorkshirechris]

Is your normal telephone working okay?

I work for the engineering side of BT, the division called Openreach, who basically install lines and maintain the whole 'outside' network between telephone exchange and homes & businesses. We are now 'equivalent' to all Service Providers so whichever company you are with - BT, Sky, Tiscali, Talk Talk, etc (there's over 250 service providers in the UK) it still uses our network, unless of course you are on Cable (which you aren't).

We don't get involved with specific bits of kit but I hope my advice can be of use to you...

If you've tried resetting the router, changing your IP settings on your Laptop and everything, and the issue remains, then you need to keep on the phone to Sky and if possible, get a replacement router sent out. Before they do this, they'll probably do a few checks on the actual line itself to make sure there's no obvious problems there, and they'll probably talk you through your computer settings 500 times, like all service providers do.

If you get a replacement router, try it all from scratch. Uninstall everything sky-related from your PC and re-install it all, with the new router. If this doesn't work, then get onto Sky again. Specifically tell Sky that you've checked all your settings etc, and you've had a new router, and you still can't connected.

Now, this is the important part - tell Sky that you want a Broadband Healthcheck done on the line by an engineer. They will be reluctant to do this, because Sky have to pay Openreach to send an ADSL Engineer out to check the line, from telephone exchange (including the connections in the exchange) to your telephone socket, for any small faults or things like that which might be causing a problem with the broadband service on the line. They check for things like SNR (Signal To Noise Ratio). The ADSL engineer should be able to tell you exactly where the problem is, but I suspect after reading all this & reading what problems you're experiencing that it is with the Sky Router.

Most service providers are the same, I hear the same story time and time again from people who are with a variety of providers, but the vast majority of people have a good connection, it's just when it goes wrong, you can never seem to get it sorted quickly, easily or sometimes at all!

[Millers Mini]

I'll check re other mobile equipment as I have one of those digital tv transmitter things which sends sky tv to another tv in the house wirelessly.

The problem seems to be with the signal from the router as it keeps coming and going from the list of available wireless connections.

I see a link between those two quotes! That problem is the computer and modem are losing signal, it's not really a problem with the SKY internet connection or a fault with the router as such.

OK, the wifi router uses radio waves, 2.4Ghz frequency Microwave band as it happens, and MANY other wireless devices also use this same band, eg Cordles telephone, TV sender (like the SKY transmitter...), car alarm key fobs, etc. Also your microwave oven is using the same 2.4Ghz frequency, so CAN also cause interference.
The Netgear routers seem to be underpowered for WIFI - I recently set one up for some one, cable modem and router in one room, the computer in the next, only seperated by one thin stud wall and about 25ft of distance. Signal was weak as hell.

There are a few things you can do to improve the signal. One method is to turn off all of the other wireless devices you have and see if that improves things. Or you could try using different channels (channel 1 - 13 should be available) from the router's config page. The routers all come pre-set to a single channel, which most people do not change (or don't know how to or even what it does), so if there are other people with the same setup and channel number as you, there will be a LOT of signal noise on that channel.

Another method which should improve the signal, is to make a simple directional antenna for both the computer and modem antennas. This is not as hard as it sounds, all you need is a large tin can (soup can or beer can will work just fine), simply cut the can open down one side and open the can out so that it forms a large curved reflector. then place over the antenna on the router. Then aim the open side of the reflector towards the computer. This will direct the signal towards the computer, and will also reflect the signal from the computer onto the router's antenna. It's like having a much stronger transmitter, and it will also cut out some of the interference from other devices.

If you want to build one for the laptop, you will need to have an external antenna connector on the laptop or WIFI card. This is also more tricky to build, but still fairly easy to build.

some links:

http://www.metacafe....olic_reflector/

http://www.freeanten...jects/template/

http://www.turnpoint...tennahowto.html

http://www.nodomainn...na/cantenna.htm


Those links should give you some ideas, it doesn't have to be complicated for it to work - tinfoil and cardboard give very good results!

SS

Cheers Fella,

I've just got back from a little trip to the Lake District doing some testing for work so haven't had time to try anything yet but the missus is out on a girly night tonight so I will have a little dabble and see what I can achieve.

1st I am going to dump McAfee and install AVG (I think thats what its called)
2nd I will try the IP address if I can work that out
3rd I will try the antenna

Looks I'm in for a busy night.

[Millers Mini]

I got it orking again.

1. I'd left the router off for the past 2 days whilst away on buisness.
2. Changed IP address.
3. Changed the channel on the Sky transmiter.
4. Entered network key.
5. Got connected.

I will be trying Silicon Skums antenna suggestion next to boost the output of my router.

Cheers everyone for all your help.

[Millers Mini]

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR I spoke to soon as I get a wireless connection now but its so slow I could go and make a cup of tea before a new page appears.

Its fine when connected via the ethernet cable but cr*p when wireless. Whats the problem now?

[Silicon Skum]

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR I spoke to soon as I get a wireless connection now but its so slow I could go and make a cup of tea before a new page appears.

Its fine when connected via the ethernet cable but cr*p when wireless. Whats the problem now?

My guess is that the signal strength is low, when that happens, the connection between the router and wireless card will reduced. The speed of the connection drops because the signal will have more noise, so the data will be more likely to be interupted, a slower connection speed will suffer less. lowest signal rate is about 1Mbit, though some may drop below this.

Still shouldn't be THAT slow as you describe though, possibly the connection is dropping below what the wireless card can handle, and the connection is briefly lost, reconnects and transferes a bit of data and them drops again, etc. etc. As long as the signal only drops for a VERY short time, you will not get any warnings about the connection dropping, and the computer will just be SLOOOOOOW.


What make and model of wireless card are you using in your computer?

Also check that the computer is NOT pushed up against the wall - the wireless connection is DIRECT LINE OF SIGHT, meaning the signal will be degraded significantly for every obstruction it has to pass though - and metal such as the computer's case will more or less block the signal!. Also check the antennas on both router and wifi card are both pointing straight up - or at least both in the same orientation, as the radio signal is also polarized - so both have to match.

Give the antena mods a go, they should help boost the signal strength up and help sort the connection speeds. I've modified some wifi equipment with better antennas, I can get a decent signal over a distance of 10 miles or more.


SS

[Millers Mini]

What make and model of wireless card are you using in your computer? Broadcom I think But not sure of model as not at home with the laptop at the mo.

Also check that the computer is NOT pushed up against the wall - the wireless connection is DIRECT LINE OF SIGHT, meaning the signal will be degraded significantly for every obstruction it has to pass though - and metal such as the computer's case will more or less block the signal!. The router sits on a cupboard in the lounge and most of the time I use the laptop its while sitting on a sofa within 2 or 3 meters of it and signal strength says its excellent and running at 54mbs which why I cant understand why its running so slow. Also check the antennas on both router and wifi card are both pointing straight up - or at least both in the same orientation, as the radio signal is also polarized - so both have to match. Dont have an antenna on the laptop, its got an internal card.

Give the antena mods a go, they should help boost the signal strength up and help sort the connection speeds. I've modified some wifi equipment with better antennas, I can get a decent signal over a distance of 10 miles or more.


SS
[/quote]

SS please see response in blue.

[Silicon Skum]

SS please see response in blue.

Ahhh, this is not the first time I've heard of this exact same problem when using Broadcom NICs in a laptop and Netgear routers. I don't have a straight solution to this one, it could be a number of things.

Possible problems:

1. Some laptop come pre-installed with software that interferes with the WIFI card - this could be a number of things, e.g system drivers, firewall / anti virus or bundled "productivity" programs.

2. using the windows wifi configuration tool, instead of the utilities supplied with the card (OR VICE-VERSA).

3. driver file version - newer drivers may fix the problem, OR may be the cause of it (look for older known "good" drivers).

4. Some other third party software, e.g firewall, network utilities, communication / file transfer programs etc.

If non of these work, you could try a different make of wifi card - I would suggest using the Netgear stuff, as it's more likely to work first time with the Netgear router.

SS