[afsbz31489]

I have a linksys router, WRT54G, type G broadband router. I have installed the high gain antenna kit. My problem: I have tried and tried various router settings, etc, but the range from the router to my lap top is not very good. If I am in the same room, it works fine, but if I am in the room directly above, I get an excellent signal, but no, or intermittent internet connection. What is the efective range of these routers supposed to be? Is there a way to improve the range? As mentioned, I have already upgraded the antennas.

 

[JohnWill]

Which antenna did you install? If you're directly above, the antenna orientation may make a difference. If it's the omni-directional one, try laying it on it's side.

 

[afsbz31489]

I installed the high gain 7dbi antennas made for this router by Linksys. They attach to the router, so you can't lay them on their side. What kind of range should I be getting?

 

[JohnWill]

Lay the router in it's side, it's just an experiment.

The range depends on the propagation pattern from the antenna, but the range is much greater in a horizontal direction for most WiFi antennas for obvious reasons.

 

[afsbz31489]

Laying the router on it's side, different antenna positions, had no effect.

 

[bearone2]

and it depends what it's try to pass thru, whether framing lumber/sheetrock to cement.

i don't look for much more than 100 ft and can work the laptop from all rooms and outside with a wired router/wireless access point.

do you have a linksys 54g card?

 

[JohnWill]

I guess we need to know what the environment is. It's unusual for the router to have that limited a range, unless there's something special about either the floor between them, or the electrical environment around you.

 

[bearone2]

like 2.4gig phones.

 

[aarhus2004]

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/prod...BV_EngineID=ccdcadddiifkihgcfngcfkmdffhdfgo.0

 

[Baktash]

maybe the reception is not that good!

 

[afsbz31489]

Am I the only one with this problem? If this is what wireless is supposed to be like, I suggest you don't waste your money. I would rather run a 50' cable then to have these headaches. For those with success, what type of router would you recommend. In my case, linksys doesn't seem to be the answer, at least not the router I am using. Please, need more help.

 

[bearone2]

Am I the only one with this problem? If this is what wireless is supposed to be like, I suggest you don't waste your money. I would rather run a 50' cable then to have these headaches. For those with success, what type of router would you recommend. In my case, linksys doesn't seem to be the answer, at least not the router I am using. Please, need more help.

you haven't responded about the type of construction, what the signal is penetrating, what might be interfering electrically.
we're not mind readers.

i asked before and you didn't respond, do you have a linksys 54g card or some cheap off the wall no name brand?

 

[jadester48]

also, what make is the wireless card you're using? i remember reading, i think it was at dabs.com, a customer review of either a wireless card or router that said it didn't work well with a particular make. I'm pretty sure Linksys was one of the makes, but i forget which way round it was
do a search for your card on google and check the newsgroups results, see if there is anyone reporting something like that. If there is nothing, try again but with the router.
Also, check that there isn't a firmware upgrade available for the router and a driver update available for the wireless card, both of these things could well help. My (admittedly cheap) wireless card had pretty poor performance until i updated the drivers, it was a large update (~10 or 20 MB) but it's a whole lot better now, certainly performs as well as i'd expect for the money (and probably not much worse, if at all, than more expensive cards)

 

[afsbz31489]

Sorry, but I do appreciate your help. I have a linksys 2.4g card. I tried to by the best, not interested in cheap. The router is in my basement, sitting on top of a book case, about 3.5' from the ceiling. Room is framed lumber with drywall. In most place of my hose, my notebook is saying that the signal recieved is good or poor. When in a room right above the router, the signal is very good-excellent and I can get good internet connection. If I move horizontally away from the router, the signal starts to weaken considerably. Hope this helps. Thanks.

 

[afsbz31489]

I do have the latest firmware version update on the router. haven't thought of that for the card, I'll give that a try.

 

[jadester48]

heh, i wasn't suggesting you had cheap equipement - the two makes that conflicted were both "respectable" makes - something like Linksys and Netgear. If i get a moment i'll try and find which card/router it was...assuming it hasn't now been superceded.
Updates to both the router and the card software is one of the first things i'd try. As much as we PC users may hate almost constantly having to update one or other driver, updates usually do improve things. Unless you have bad karma =+/ lol

 

[linskyjack]

Download this and then flash your router---it should help

http://www.hyperdrive.be/hyperwrt/

 

[afsbz31489]

I downloaded and updated firmware with the software you mentioned above. It seems to help. I walked around the house, with computer in hand and got a signal from 54.0 MBPS to 48.0 MBPS, which seems better. I still am having trouble communicating with the router. I find that when I take the card out of my lap top, and then put it back communication seems to resume again. Any other suggestions? The help from all of you is GREATLY appreciated.

 

[linskyjack]

eeeemm I haven't read the whole thread but can you tell us what your router settings are-----particularly the wireless ones?

 

[afsbz31489]

I have it set on automatic, but if you'll tell me exactly what you are looking for, I can provide. Thanks much