Networking Problems...

[frank]

Hey,

I have been having slow internet for a couple weeks now. But as of recent it has gotten unbearable. I takes time to load google. I download at like 20kb/s WOW thats like slower than dial up... I have updated firmware on my router, restarted both router and modem. and i just dont know what to do so if you have troubleshooting advice that woudl be greatly appricated.

I have a linksys BEFCMU10 cable modem.

A linksys WRT54GS V1.1 Wireless router(im connected though a hard wire though so my computer is not wireless)

Thanks.

[Mainter]

If you are experiencing an intermittent or slow connection it may be the result of interference from other electronic devices. Some factors that affect the quality of your connection are:

* Distance from your location to the access point

* Number and type of walls and obstructions between you and the access point

* Electronic devices in the area (such as cordless phones)

* Number of users connected to the access point at the same time

Wireless signals operate in the 2.4 GHz radio band so things like 2.4 GHz phones, microwaves or other devices emitting signals at that frequency may disrupt communication. If you are having difficulty getting a signal, try moving closer to the access point or to a different location with fewer obstructions. Shut off any high frequency electronic devices that you are not using. We request that you do not attempt to install a new access point because rogue access points on the network will interfere with the rest of the network as well as compromise the security precautions set in place by ITS.

1.

Position your wireless router (or wireless access point) in a central location.

When possible, place your wireless router in a central location in your home. If your wireless router is against an outside wall of your home, the signal will be weak on the other side of your home. Don't worry if you can't move your wireless router, because there are many other ways to improve your connection.

2.

Move the router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects (such as metal file cabinets).

Metal, walls, and floors will interfere with your router's wireless signals. The closer your router is to these obstructions, the more severe the interference, and the weaker your connection will be.

3.

Replace your router's antenna.

The antennas supplied with your router are designed to be omni-directional, meaning they broadcast in all directions around the router. If your router is near an outside wall, half of the wireless signals will be sent outside your home, and much of your router's power will be wasted. Most routers don't allow you to increase the power output, but you can make better use of the power. Upgrade to a hi-gain antenna that focuses the wireless signals only one direction. You can aim the signal in the direction you need it most.

4.

Replace your computer's wireless network adapter.

Wireless network signals must be sent both to and from your computer. Sometimes, your router can broadcast strongly enough to reach your computer, but your computer can't send signals back to your router. To improve this, replace your laptop's PC card-based wireless network adapter with a USB network adapter that uses an external antenna. In particular, consider the Hawking Hi-Gain Wireless USB network adapter, which adds an external, hi-gain antenna to your computer and can significantly improve your range.

Laptops with built-in wireless typically have excellent antennas and don't need to have their network adapters upgraded.

5.

Add a wireless repeater.

Wireless router and wireless repeater

Wireless repeaters extend your wireless network range without requiring you to add any wiring. Just place the wireless repeater halfway between your wireless access point and your computer, and you'll get an instant boost to your wireless signal strength. Check out the wireless repeaters from ViewSonic, D-Link, Linksys, and Buffalo Technology.

6.

Change your wireless channel.

Wireless channels

Wireless routers can broadcast on several different channels, similar to the way radio stations use different channels. In the United States and Canada, these channels are 1, 6, and 11. Just like you'll sometimes hear interference on one radio station while another is perfectly clear, sometimes one wireless channel is clearer than others. Try changing your wireless router's channel through your router's configuration page to see if your signal strength improves. You don't need to change your computer's configuration, because it'll automatically detect the new channel.

7.

Reduce wireless interference.

If you have cordless phones or other wireless electronics in your home, your computer might not be able to "hear" your router over the noise from the other wireless devices. To quiet the noise, avoid wireless electronics that use the 2.4GHz frequency. Instead, look for cordless phones that use the 5.8GHz or 900MHz frequencies.

8.

Update your firmware or your network adapter driver.

Router manufacturers regularly make free improvements to their routers. Sometimes, these improvements increase performance. To get the latest firmware updates for your router, visit your router manufacturer's Web site.

Similarly, network adapter vendors occasionally update the software that Windows XP uses to communicate with your network adapter, known as the driver. These updates typically improve performance and reliability. To get the updates, visit Microsoft Update, and then under Select by Type click Hardware, Optional. Install any updates relating to your wireless network adapter. It wouldn't hurt to install any other updates while you're visiting Microsoft Update, too.

Note When you go to Microsoft Update, you have two options: the Express Install for critical and security updates and Custom Install for high priority and optional updates. You may find more driver updates when you use Custom Install.

9.

Pick equipment from a single vendor.

While a Linksys router will work with a D-Link network adapter, you often get better performance if you pick a router and network adapter from the same vendor. Some vendors offer a performance boost of up to twice the performance when you choose their hardware: Linksys has the SpeedBooster technology, and D-Link has the 108G enhancement.

10.

Upgrade 802.11b devices to 802.11g.

802.11b is the most common type of wireless network, but 802.11g is about five times faster. 802.11g is backward-compatible with 802.11b, so you can still use any 802.11b equipment that you have. If you're using 802.11b and you're unhappy with the performance, consider replacing your router and network adapters with 802.11g-compatible equipment. If you're buying new equipment, definitely choose 802.11g.

Edited January 25, 2006 by Mainter

[frank]

If you are experiencing an intermittent or slow connection it may be the result of interference from other electronic devices. Some factors that affect the quality of your connection are:

* Distance from your location to the access point

* Number and type of walls and obstructions between you and the access point

* Electronic devices in the area (such as cordless phones)

* Number of users connected to the access point at the same time

Wireless signals operate in the 2.4 GHz radio band so things like 2.4 GHz phones, microwaves or other devices emitting signals at that frequency may disrupt communication. If you are having difficulty getting a signal, try moving closer to the access point or to a different location with fewer obstructions. Shut off any high frequency electronic devices that you are not using. We request that you do not attempt to install a new access point because rogue access points on the network will interfere with the rest of the network as well as compromise the security precautions set in place by ITS.

1.

Position your wireless router (or wireless access point) in a central location.

When possible, place your wireless router in a central location in your home. If your wireless router is against an outside wall of your home, the signal will be weak on the other side of your home. Don't worry if you can't move your wireless router, because there are many other ways to improve your connection.

2.

Move the router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects (such as metal file cabinets).

Metal, walls, and floors will interfere with your router's wireless signals. The closer your router is to these obstructions, the more severe the interference, and the weaker your connection will be.

3.

Replace your router's antenna.

The antennas supplied with your router are designed to be omni-directional, meaning they broadcast in all directions around the router. If your router is near an outside wall, half of the wireless signals will be sent outside your home, and much of your router's power will be wasted. Most routers don't allow you to increase the power output, but you can make better use of the power. Upgrade to a hi-gain antenna that focuses the wireless signals only one direction. You can aim the signal in the direction you need it most.

4.

Replace your computer's wireless network adapter.

Wireless network signals must be sent both to and from your computer. Sometimes, your router can broadcast strongly enough to reach your computer, but your computer can't send signals back to your router. To improve this, replace your laptop's PC card-based wireless network adapter with a USB network adapter that uses an external antenna. In particular, consider the Hawking Hi-Gain Wireless USB network adapter, which adds an external, hi-gain antenna to your computer and can significantly improve your range.

Laptops with built-in wireless typically have excellent antennas and don't need to have their network adapters upgraded.

5.

Add a wireless repeater.

Wireless router and wireless repeater

Wireless repeaters extend your wireless network range without requiring you to add any wiring. Just place the wireless repeater halfway between your wireless access point and your computer, and you'll get an instant boost to your wireless signal strength. Check out the wireless repeaters from ViewSonic, D-Link, Linksys, and Buffalo Technology.

6.

Change your wireless channel.

Wireless channels

Wireless routers can broadcast on several different channels, similar to the way radio stations use different channels. In the United States and Canada, these channels are 1, 6, and 11. Just like you'll sometimes hear interference on one radio station while another is perfectly clear, sometimes one wireless channel is clearer than others. Try changing your wireless router's channel through your router's configuration page to see if your signal strength improves. You don't need to change your computer's configuration, because it'll automatically detect the new channel.

7.

Reduce wireless interference.

If you have cordless phones or other wireless electronics in your home, your computer might not be able to "hear" your router over the noise from the other wireless devices. To quiet the noise, avoid wireless electronics that use the 2.4GHz frequency. Instead, look for cordless phones that use the 5.8GHz or 900MHz frequencies.

8.

Update your firmware or your network adapter driver.

Router manufacturers regularly make free improvements to their routers. Sometimes, these improvements increase performance. To get the latest firmware updates for your router, visit your router manufacturer's Web site.

Similarly, network adapter vendors occasionally update the software that Windows XP uses to communicate with your network adapter, known as the driver. These updates typically improve performance and reliability. To get the updates, visit Microsoft Update, and then under Select by Type click Hardware, Optional. Install any updates relating to your wireless network adapter. It wouldn't hurt to install any other updates while you're visiting Microsoft Update, too.

Note When you go to Microsoft Update, you have two options: the Express Install for critical and security updates and Custom Install for high priority and optional updates. You may find more driver updates when you use Custom Install.

9.

Pick equipment from a single vendor.

While a Linksys router will work with a D-Link network adapter, you often get better performance if you pick a router and network adapter from the same vendor. Some vendors offer a performance boost of up to twice the performance when you choose their hardware: Linksys has the SpeedBooster technology, and D-Link has the 108G enhancement.

10.

Upgrade 802.11b devices to 802.11g.

802.11b is the most common type of wireless network, but 802.11g is about five times faster. 802.11g is backward-compatible with 802.11b, so you can still use any 802.11b equipment that you have. If you're using 802.11b and you're unhappy with the performance, consider replacing your router and network adapters with 802.11g-compatible equipment. If you're buying new equipment, definitely choose 802.11g.

like i said...im not though a wireless connection.

[DarkestDream]

I dont think it your wireless problem, you possibly have a virus or spyware that affecting your connection speed, scan your computer for virus and spyware

[frank]

I dont think it your wireless problem, you possibly have a virus or spyware that affecting your connection speed, scan your computer for virus and spyware

yeah i did that, and i KNOW it is not a wireless problem as for im not hooked in though wireless i am using a Marvel Yukon Gigabit Ethernet Controler

[Mainter]

my bad just did a quick glance what catagory cable you using

CAT5

CAT5E

CAT6

[frank]

my bad just did a quick glance what catagory cable you using

CAT5

CAT5E

CAT6

cat 5e

[Mainter]

might be the cable its prolly a loose wire in the rj-45 connector

[frank]

might be the cable its prolly a loose wire in the rj-45 connector

any easy way to check?

[Mainter]

might be the cable its prolly a loose wire in the rj-45 connector

any easy way to check?

yeah take it out out the connection look at it if you see all copper all the way pushed up its good if its a little off its a cross signal feedwhich is making a slow connection

[Mainter]

check both ends the router and computer

[frank]

might be the cable its prolly a loose wire in the rj-45 connector

any easy way to check?

yeah take it out out the connection look at it if you see all copper all the way pushed up its good if its a little off its a cross signal feedwhich is making a slow connection

it appears to be all ok.

[Mainter]

go get a patch cable from the local computer shop and swap it best suggestion

[frank]

go get a patch cable from the local computer shop and swap it best suggestion

lets says it not the cable...any thing else i can try?

[Mainter]

well you did the firmware and drivers swap out the network card

[frank]

well you did the firmware and drivers swap out the network card

ya...could it be router or something?

Edited January 25, 2006 by frank

[blim]

Now, Frank, I didn't understand most of the posts (I'm a real noob)

I do remember Tymekyller posting about slow internet and he did so many fixes that it made my head swim...He finally ended up calling the internet provider, they sent a guy out who hooked up his laptop to his system, and low-and-behold, it was a problem with some wiring "thingy", installed by the internet provider (a switch or connector or something).

If your internet connection is slow without the router being plugged in (try that first in case it is a naughty router), I would call the internet provider and insist that they send a tech out!

Liz

[MrBill]

Here is a link to Linksys Easy Answers...

Click here

Who is your ISP. The will have a speed test link that you can check it with. I use Spring DSL and am paying for 1.5 service and I have checked it about 4 or 5 times in the last 6 months and I am always at 1.4 something. Downloads are always faster then uploads...

Edited January 25, 2006 by MrBill

[frank]

Here is a link to Linksys Easy Answers...

Click here

Who is your ISP. The will have a speed test link that you can check it with. I use Spring DSL and am paying for 1.5 service and I have checked it about 4 or 5 times in the last 6 months and I am always at 1.4 something. Downloads are always faster then uploads...

yeah i know downloads are faster than up loads like 8:1 but what can i actually do to fix it? and what do i have to do to set it up directly to the modem to see if that helps(cuz it does not work i have to do something but im not sure what...)

[TheTerrorist_75]

yeah i know downloads are faster than up loads like 8:1 but what can i actually do to fix it? and what do i have to do to set it up directly to the modem to see if that helps(cuz it does not work i have to do something but im not sure what...)

Who is your ISP? Have you ever directly hooked up your computer to the DSL modem and had Internet access? Did you get a CD with the modem from your ISP to setup the connection?