Wireless network signals - average to awful

[Steve]

Hi,

Seem to be having a lot of problems with my wireless network with regard to
performance. I have a wireless Netgear router downstairs and a pc with a
linksys wireless card in it upstairs. I find the signal goes from around
20mbps on boot-up down as low as 1mbps. The PC upstairs is on the floor
behind a bed which could be effecting the signal however its not consistent.

I have a few questions on this and any help would be appreciated.... are
there any specific items that effect a wireless signal? Is there a best
location for wireless Pc's connecting to a wireless network? How does
Netgear stack up against Linksys and is it ok to mix?

Thanks,
Steve.

 

[Chuck]

Hi,

Seem to be having a lot of problems with my wireless network with regard to
performance. I have a wireless Netgear router downstairs and a pc with a
linksys wireless card in it upstairs. I find the signal goes from around
20mbps on boot-up down as low as 1mbps. The PC upstairs is on the floor
behind a bed which could be effecting the signal however its not consistent.

I have a few questions on this and any help would be appreciated.... are
there any specific items that effect a wireless signal? Is there a best
location for wireless Pc's connecting to a wireless network? How does
Netgear stack up against Linksys and is it ok to mix?

Thanks,
Steve.

Steve,

Most wireless signals travel best in a horizontal direction, that is, with the
router and / or computers on the same floor. WiFi has a vertical polarisation,
that is, you get the best signal when all antennas are vertical. Can you adjust
all your antennas so they are vertical?

For the PC upstairs, try either moving it from behind the bed, or install a
wireless card that will let you connect an external antenna (or a USB device
with a cable).

Do you have any microwave ovens or cordless phones in the house?

IMHO, vendor is probably not as important to signal quality as is antenna
orientation and location, overall layout of devices (horizontal and vertical
distances), and interference sources.

Make sure that you have the latest drivers for everything too.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.