wireless range extenders

[mrtristan]

Does anyone here use a wireless range extender? My modem and wireless access point are in the room farthest from the two bedrooms that I use computers in and the reception gets funky from time to time. Recently, it's been disconnecting at random intervals, although the signal is decent. I think the new 2.4Ghz phone downstairs might have something to do with it, but I can't just hock the phone.

I can move the access point back upstairs, but I would have to go under the house and route the cables out of sight. I'd rather spend $80, if the range extenders really work.

I'm using a Linksys WAP54G, so I'll probably buy the same brand.

If anyone here has some experience with a wireless range extender, please share your comments, even if it's a different brand.

Thanks.

[glockjs]

well the one i used basically took a wireless b to a g. and yeah it worked pretty good. you're probably gonna wanna look into the one thats in the 5ghz(i think thats the number theyre at now)

[Soopafresh]

Before you do that, change the channel of the WiFi equipment. Try Channel 10 or 11. You can change it under Nic properties under "Network Connections" in Control Panel. If 10 or 11 don't help, go to the other side of the spectrum - Channel 1 or 2. Often, this will stop the contention with cordless phones.

[mrtristan]

Tried that. Channel 11 seems to work the best, but it still drops the signal.

Before you do that, change the channel of the WiFi equipment. Try Channel 10 or 11. You can change it under Nic properties under "Network Connections" in Control Panel. If 10 or 11 don't help, go to the other side of the spectrum - Channel 1 or 2. Often, this will stop the contention with cordless phones.

[Soopafresh]

Wonder what kind of network card you're using...

Are you using one of those USB to Wireless devices on your workstation ?
This one : http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=36&prid=665

I bought one of those for a client. Nothing but problems. Disconnects up the wazoo. I was able to make it work better by turning off the ethernet card in bios - a recommendation by Linksys.

Oh yeah - Try This - Turn off the zero wireless config service - TO turn off the wireless zero configuration (Stops the frequent timeouts with WUSB54G) go to Administrative tools --> Services --> Find 'Wireless Zero Configuration' --> open it and where the pull down menu says 'Automatic', set it to 'Disabled'.


The way I ended up fixing it - got a PCI Wireless card by D-Link. Not one disconnect and strong signal.

[mrtristan]

I'm using a linksys PCI card. The signal strength is pretty good, it just randomly disconnects. I think the wireless phone has spikes of interference. I'm not entirely sure that it's even the phone. Once in a while my connection just goes wacky, so it might be a coincedence.

In the meantime, I've moved the router two rooms over. The signal strength is the same, but I haven't gotten disconnected yet.

Thanks for the help, though.

[ofbarea]

I had similar problems and I fixed them by using high gain antennas. Linksys sells good replacement antennas for your access point and wireless card in your PC. For the router I bought the linksys kit HGA7T (High Gain Antenna for R-TNC Connectors) and for the wireless PCI card the HGA7S (High Gain Antenna for R-SMA Connectors).

Another option will be getting a Wireless Range Expander. Since you have linksys get the WRE54G. Configuration of other range expanders would be a pain.

For Linksys routers, like the WRT54G, you could also use a third party firmware to increase the power of the wireless radio up to 251mw. To get the idea visit this place: http://www.sveasoft.com/ and take a look at the firmware features. If I had found these guys before I Think I would not have buy the new antennas.

I know that some of these firmware upgrades will work with theWAP54G, but I do not remember witch one. The complete list of firmware upgrades could be found in here:
http://www.linksysinfo.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=233