Drop off / Adapter

[Have Brush Will Travel]

Hi all..

I am currently using a Belkin 802.11 54 mps USB Adapter ..which is approx three metres from the router..(thompson speedtouch)

Just recently we have been noticing a lot of drop of/page connection timeouts...we never really suffered with drop offs that much before..using the same gear...

The computer runs well and has 2gb of Ram..more than we have had on previous systems without any problems..

The connection icons nearly always show 'good' and/or 'very good' ...even though we are on a lowly 2.5 mps maximum due to our location.

Im wondering, would we benefit from changing the adapter to a newer more powerful one?..and maybe a different brand?..the one we have now is around 7 years old ish...

Oh and the problem is worse when we are on messenger..trying to chat to my silver surfer aunt using a cam..we thought we were going to amaze her..instead, she is now convinced her computer is broke because the picture on the screen went and we disappeared

Thanks..

[dave.m]

It could be the age of the adaptor but first off try switching off the computer and then the router. Unplug the power lead from the router and leave off for a couple of minutes.
Then plug the power back in and switch the router on, and wait until all the flashing lights have settled, then switch the computer on and see how that works.

dave

[thescruff]

You sure it's not the internet supplier.

Blueyonder for example have been giving me all sorts of grief with the same problem, I'm not sure if it's their router or them working on the exchange.

[Have Brush Will Travel]

Thanks both..

Dave...I did try that approach yesterday..un coupled what I could and turned it off etc...after a couple of minutes we had the same problem....

So thats what made me wonder about the hardware (even though we didnt have this problem a couple of months ago)

Which brings me to the service provider Scruff..the connection is its most unstable when we plug the web cam in..which pointed me towards a possible issue with the memory

On the whole its reasonably good..but we are definately getting more and more 'connection timeouts'..

I did actually wonder if it was the cam itself...but again, a few months back it was fine when we used it to connect with some family in the states..

I have noticed that when I run CS3 the computer really struggles speed wise..again pointing at memory?

[thescruff]

As said I have been having similar issues, and just can't get online, forum or email, then it comes back maybe 30 minutes later, and is as fast as ever.

[dave.m]

Do you have a RJ45 ethernet cable that will reach the router from the computer?
If it means moving the router a bit nearer the computer, try it with a wired connection. This may then either prove the adaptor is on it's last legs or is working fine and the ISP is causing the problems.
Also try plugging the router directly into the test socket on the phone Master socket and that could eliminate some other possible problems.

dave

[thescruff]

Thats what I did Dave and it made no difference, so the ISP or their router is where my problem is.

[Have Brush Will Travel]

Do you have a RJ45 ethernet cable that will reach the router from the computer?
If it means moving the router a bit nearer the computer, try it with a wired connection. This may then either prove the adaptor is on it's last legs or is working fine and the ISP is causing the problems.
Also try plugging the router directly into the test socket on the phone Master socket and that could eliminate some other possible problems.

dave

Hi dave...although the computer is only 3 metres from the router it is upstairs..and would involve having to tear half the house apart in order to get a wire across (didnt know they made em that long)

It would however be possible to plug the router into the test socket...so I can try that..

The strange thing is we didnt have any of these problems a few months back...using all the same equipment..cam, adapter, router etc..

Are todays adapters generally faster than 54 mbps?

Thanks for the advice so far guys..

[dave.m]

54mbps is classed as slow.

If you narrow it down to your adaptor, after 7 years service it might be time to retire it and get a new one:

BELKIN 150N Wireless USB Network Adapter - 802.11 n The '150' and the 'n' means that it is about 3 times faster than your old adaptor, and at 18 quid at PC World it should improve your speed and reduce the drop outs.

I have a couple of Netgear adaptors that perform on the desktop almost as fast as the ethernet cable connection, with no connection problems.

dave

[Have Brush Will Travel]

Cheers Dave...would you recommend the Netgear ones then or will Belkin do the job?

[dave.m]

Belkin are fine, I only got the Netgear because they were on offer from a site in Jersey, but delivery time was about a week and then I had to download the driver installer from the Jersey site because one adaptor did not have the disk with it.

Not only that, but you should have a PC World nearby, or if not, see what Argos have got in their store.

dave

[Have Brush Will Travel]

Cheers...got the mrs on the case as we speak!

[chat_to_rich]

I just wanted to point out that if you get an "N" adapter for your PC, you won't get "N" speeds unless you have an "N" speed router.
I know most ISP support people are next to useless, but I think it might be worth speaking to your ISP about the drop outs as they may be able to run some line tests.

With your other question about CS3 and memory in general, right click on taskbar at the bottom, select Task Manager. Go to the Performance tab, in the Physical Memory section, you'll see the total amount of memory on your PC and the amount available (These values are in KB). If the amount available gets below 100-150MB then you're getting low on memory.

[BillyGoat]

Agreed with Rich, in that you need an N router to benefit from the speed/range increase. N is backwards compatible with b and g wireless gear too, so you can upgrade the adapter and then router.

If you are happy with your router, you don't NEED to replace it - there are N access points that you can just plug into your router that offer 'N' wireless. so it looks like this:

Router (with disabled wireless, although it doesn't matter >> connected to Wireless Access Point (25 quid) and now you have N wireless without all the hassle of setting up a new router.

Is the machine a desktop or laptop? If it's a desktop, there is a third option (actually, loads more....). Powerline networking.

You connect a powerline adaptor next to your router in a socket and connect a network cable to your router. Upstairs, you connect a second powerline adaptor next to your computer and plug a second network cable into your PC. Done. The Powerline adaptors use the mains cable in the house to carry the signal.

The signal CAN traverse MCBs/RCDs and any other combo of fuses, etc. So doesn't matter about being on a differnt ring/radial.

It works and is an awesome piece of tech.

If you are doing web browsing, 85Mbps will be fine. If you are streaming video, then get HomePlug AV which are 200Mbps (yes, I'm aware the powerline plugs only have 100Mbps sockets, but you lose speed over the powerline....thats the way they work).

If interested, there are a pair going on the orange accessories website for 25.00!!!!!! That is an awesome price to cut your teeth, saw it on hotdealsuk.com :)

Clicky: http://www.orangeaccessories.co.uk/homeplug.html?npc=21

Enjoy!

[Have Brush Will Travel]

Thanks for that Billy...we changed the adapter to a newer n one...but havnt had the chance t put it to the test properly yet...it seems faster though...and more stable.

I will have a look into that piece of kit you mentioned..it looks good.

Thanks for all the input fellas...