Currently I am using a Linksys 54mbps wireless broadband router (WRT54G v1.0 I think), its quiet old now and keeps on crashing. To boost its range I am running a modified firmware that allows control of the power output. The PC upstairs manages to get a signal but can only average 24mbps as the signal is quiet weak.

I want to get some more performance, so today I got a Belkin 125mbps router and an appropriate 125mbps card, result was I cant get any wireless connection upstairs at all. I guess the reason is because the power output of the router is very low as if I use a laptop 54mbps card which works fine with the linksys it doesnt find the belkin untill I move to within 18 feet or so. The same card works at least twice the distance and more with the linksys. So this setup is being returned tomorrow it truely was pants.

I want to know what to buy, thats going to give me performance and a good signal from a distance of 25-30 feet preferably a 100mbps+ wireless solution, the linksys does it but slowly. The signal has 2 pass through several brick walls and a wooden floor.

Have you tried uping the signal output of the router?

I had similar issues with a D-Link wireless router and 2 wifi compatable laptops, and a quick call to D-Link gave me adjusted settings and a much better range/performance.

Manny,

Look at some of the newer MIMO stuff that's about, it's meant to have better range. Plus, have a look at either the current or last PCPro - they had a really good group test on Wireless stuff.

:cheers:

you'd need to get a high gain aerial for your router and also your laptop/pc.

What firmware were u running on your wrt54g?

The MIMO (or Pre N) is good for better ranges as Howard says. I've got the Netgear RangeMax one which is ok for me, and Superted can get a good signal from it across the road in his house!!

In the review that Howard mentions they recommend the Linksys MIMO device for speed. I have the mag at work I think, I may be able to scan if you want.

No text

What firmware were u running on your wrt54g?

Firmware Version: Alchemy-pre5.1 v2.07.1.8sv

Well, after trying several standard 54mbps routers including a Belkin 125mpbs and a linksys 108mbps with associated compatible pci cards, all were returned to the shop because of my original issue of poor/weak signal.

Today I got a Belkin Pre-N MIMO router and a Belkin desktop Pre-N pci card, also go a Pre-N Laptop card. I wish I had done that ages ago, superb signal and excellent speed. I went for a walk down the road with the laptop to see how far I could get before I lost the signal, I got to just past the last house in the street before I lost my outlook connection which is about 6 houses away.

I would recommend this kit to anybody, just keep in mind that because of the extended range getting the security right is even more of a priority. Currently using 128bit WEP with SSID broadcast disabled, will change to WPA at some point.

Had a few problems initially with signal dropout till I disabled QOS on the router and then set the channel to 11 instead of the default 1, now where I used to get no signal I have a consistant 100mbps connection acording to the belkin software.

bit odd that about the older belkin stuff as its what we use and we are running 1 wireless router for 2 houses with 2 laptops in the main house and a pci card type in the second house, all pooters get at least 24Mb :confused:

how strange

Yes it is weird, I was expecting better with the newer standard stuff. But no matter what channel I selected in the config I could barely get a signal, usually the speed hovered betweek 5mpbs and 11mbps which is pretty much useless for the setup I have here, using the new router with my laptop now and transfer speed is currently hovering between 96mbps to 108mbps in the same location that barely worked with standard 802.11g

I really would shift to WPA as soon as possible - WEP really is abysmally insecure.

I have had this problem too with my Belkin Wireless Router/Modem, the signal was constantly weak/poor and would break up continuously. I was also having trouble accessing certain web pages (not those ones!!) and after messing around with the options/tools menu's, I found that by disabling the pop-up menu blocker everything has been hunky-dory since. My Belkin now works like dream!!.

Manny

Was going to suggest the Belkin 125, as i have just bought 1 and it works fine all around the house, Nice to see you have it sorted.

3com routers....I found this was absolute poo, this hated connecting to everything and never got very far with it. Dont know if it was worth reading this tho......

Firmware Version: Alchemy-pre5.1 v2.07.1.8sv

loaded the latest version of alchemy, and crancked up the power to the maximum!

Have you looked into getting some 9db high gain aerials? Or a cantenna?

how do these MIMO routers work with current 802.11g stuff?

Two of my laptops have g-series wifi, as well as my desktops...........

loathe to re-purchase all the cards to match.........

Just that i was sat last night no more than six feet away from the wifi router (linksys WAG54G) and had a "poor signal) with only an 11mbps speed, which dropped futher for no reason.......

could you be getting interferance from other stuff? might be worth channel the channel id of the router.

could you be getting interferance from other stuff? might be worth channel the channel id of the router.

You mean switch channels?

Might be worth a shot.

Thing is, Trying to work out what could be giving inteference.

Obviously, cordless DECT phone is a potential one, but that doesn't explain why the whole ADSL connection dies sometimes when phone rings (might be the cable, as it's fine from the socket).

Then there is another wifi network somewhere within range, which pops up now and then.........

I'm just thinking, if one of these MIMO routers will boost my range within the house, it might be worth it.......

You mean switch channels?

Might be worth a shot.

Thing is' date=' Trying to work out what could be giving inteference.

Obviously, cordless DECT phone is a potential one, but that doesn't explain why the whole ADSL connection dies sometimes when phone rings (might be the cable, as it's fine from the socket).

Then there is another wifi network somewhere within range, which pops up now and then.........

I'm just thinking, if one of these MIMO routers will boost my range within the house, it might be worth it.......[/quote']

yeah change the channel, think the default is 11? Have you updated the firmware?

yeah change the channel, think the default is 11? Have you updated the firmware?

Updated firmware ages ago....but no official updates from linksys since april of last year...........can't even find it on the site anymore.......must have been discontinued.......typical.......

I'll swtich the channels later tonight, see how that goes.......

Ta.

how do these MIMO routers work with current 802.11g stuff?

Two of my laptops have g-series wifi' date=' as well as my desktops...........

loathe to re-purchase all the cards to match.........

Just that i was sat last night no more than six feet away from the wifi router (linksys WAG54G) and had a "poor signal) with only an 11mbps speed, which dropped futher for no reason.......[/quote']

Fully backward compatible, the signal with the MIMO router was far better using the 802.11g cards that didnt work to well with the linksys at the longer range. Switched to the MIMO cards and the difference is like night and day. You can mix and match and the router remains unaffected by whats connected, not matter what speed it works at. The exception is old 125mbps cards will only work at 54mbps.

MIMO constantly asses your connection and dynamically varies the power output from the pc depending on distance, the router has more than 2 aerials and the configuration of these changes till the router gets the best signal it can.