Inconsistent wireless connection

Razor-BladE

Razor-BladE

Razor-BladE

Soldato
Joined
15 Feb 2009
Posts
4,304
Location
Bristol
I'm not sure when this problem might have 'started' because i'm always connected by cable, but my sister came back from uni last week and complained to me about not being able to connect to the internet, or could connect but very so often it disconnects. Her laptop always has problems, is about 3 years old, had a virus not too long ago, so i thought ahh it's just her laptop, and left it :P
Then my brother came back today, and he was also getting an inconsistent connection, which made me thought ok maybe it is actually the router.

So i've restarted the router and reset the router, by the problem still persists. If anybody would like to give me advice on what i could try to solve this? It's the WRT54GL router, connecting by cable has no problems whatsoever.
 
Install tomato firmware - I did and it was the best thing I have done to my connection, 100% stable
 
Yeah i was thinking that. Just because i haven't had any problems for 2 years, i thought if it's easier to try and solve this.
 
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Try changing the wireless channel. Also, are there any other items using the 2.4ghz range (cordless phones, microwave etc) which could be causing interference?
 
Ok just trying that now. Does it matter what channel i change it to? (I don't really understand networking) I won't have to do anything on the laptop will i?
And nope nothing of the sort.
 
Try channel 6 (although 1 and 11 are just as good but tend to be used as default channels by most routers). The other channels overlap and tend to give flakey performance. Most wireless configuration tools will show show what channels other wireless networks in your area use.
 
Ok, quite a crowded area :)

See how you get on with channel 12. If not too well, then try a few different channels and try and find a good balance. Another thing worth checking might be the transmitter strength. It can sometimes be 'auto', but you can manually change it to '100%' if need be. Obviously this will use more power, but it also increases the signal strength
 
Yeah lol. Can normally only pick up 2 other networks with the laptop though. One about 40% and the other like 10% signal.
It is on auto but the laptop says connection speed 54Mbps and it's at 99% 2 meters away so i'll just leave it, but good to know about that thanks.
Err.. just as i typed that, it went down to 36Mbps and then 24Mbps haha. I'll whack it up to 54Mbps in the settings then.
I don't need to change transmit power do i?
 
I had to change the channel (put it to 5) because my sisters laptops network adaptor can only find up to channel 11. But before i changed it, i checked my brothers laptop, and his lost signal on channel 12 :(
 
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Stick it on either 1,6,11 as they are the only channels that dont overlap. Pick the one thats occupied by the weakest signal. And try increasing the transmit power, Mine is on 70mW atm (42 stock)
 
Ok i'll put it on channel 6 then. That's strange.. i scanned the area again and i'm not picking up any other network :confused:
Alright, i'll boost it up to 65 (42 default as well)
 
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