Connection generally not great on NTL, best wide-range router?

[Mr Spew]

Basically, I've been through a few routers now, and after a while, the connection will just slow down, almost to a halt, I used to think it just cut out totally, but sometimes the pages do load. I've tried Netgear and Belkin routers with similar effects, second hand and new ones.

MSN Messenger strangely still works, although sometimes the connection does cut out entirely. So I have to reboot the Netgear router (wireless) and NTL, and the Belkin wireless access point anyway (on the same plug sockets).

Any idea what it is, already had the router replaced a few times as well as the NTL modem once, is it just a shabby connection?

Also, what's the best wireless router in terms of range, that isn't a Rangemax Netgear (because of the space-like lights coming from it!)

 

[bisoner]

I had major issues with a Belkin Pre-N router recently - dropping connection and all that bad stuff. Changed the wireless chanel in the settings and problem solved. Connection is now rock solid.

I've also put in some Powerline adapters because my 360 is so far from the router - these also work great - especially in houses with so much wireless gear nowadays that is fighting in the airwaves!!!

Thanks

Brad

 

[MAllen]

Belkin - cheap and nasty tat. You get what you pay for.

Let me guess - someone in the house is doing loads of file sharing? This causes lots of connections to be used, which can quickly fill up connection tables.

Personally I use an old 486. I am on NTL in Brighton, and have always used an old PC with a floppy distro of Linux called "Freesco". I have had this installed and setup from an empty PC to a fully working connection in less than 10 minutes. And once it is setup, you can forget all about it. Does an excellent job. I last had to touch the machine when the PSU fan started to fail (I did say it was an _old_ 486). That fan failiure was on 6-6-6 (freaky...) and the PC had been running uninterrupted for 380 days!!

Now don't be scared of Linux. You don't need to know any. I set my mates up with this back in 2002... and they hardly ever touch it. In fact, they abuse it as they have a tendancy of hitting the "off" switch on the PC when they go on holiday. Other than that, it sits quietly in the corner hammering away 24/7/366

http://www.freesco.org/ for the main website and download
http://forums.freesco.org/ for the forum full of helpful freaks

Or ask me and I'll guide you through this. All it needs is any old PC. A working floppy drive. And that's it. Once the setup is done, you can forget all about it.

Personally I use an old hard disk in my system. But the PC is actually an AMD 586 with 64MB EDO RAM (yep the old 72-pin beauties....) and two PCI network cards. Literally any old hardware will do. (Once setup, you can then remove the screen and keyboard.)

 

[movingtables]

Is your Wireless network SECURE ? maybe someone is stealing your bandwith.
anyone else on the network at home file sharing using bit torrents ect?
has your PC or any other PC on the network free of all spyware/ virus's ect?