Help me optimize my network please!

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  1. Posts : 2,324
    Win10
       #11

    Strange that one other active Router especially on another Channel can knock you off your router , I am not familiar with fixing that issue.

    Did you try the opposite though ? ie turn your Gain DOWN so it only Broadcasts far enough for your family members to use it ?

    Perhaps look at 3rd Party Firmwares like DDWRT or OPen WRT if the Router will accept them ? or at least ask on their Forums about this issue.

    I'd have thought high gain antennas weren't that cheap either ?
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  2. Posts : 172
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #12

    Kbird, I'm on a Facebook page talking about this as well. I checked into DD-WRT. While the router I just purchased is MUCH better then the one my wife's uncle had been using. I mean after all he kept swearing he only bought it only 2 years ago. I researched it, it was built 13 years ago. While the one I'm having issues first hit the streets 6 years ago, and was supported up to 2 years ago. Yes I know it's not the latest tech. But as I keep saying, I'm not working, can't afford the latest, greatest stuff out there. That'll have to wait until I start working again.

    Seriously though, yesterday I did a marathon watching "The Last Ship" on Kodi, for well over 12 hours via the 2.4 ssid (my laptop nic doesn't see the 5ghz ssid). Then I was bumped repeatedly. My wife wasn't bumped at all and she was watching stuff Netflix which is set to the 5ghz ssid. So before I sparked up Kodi again, I ran Vistumbler and clicked on the network window from the taskbar. There this guy was right next to my nic. The odd part is he isn't on the same channel as I am. And I had also checked periodically throughout the day, and his network, while active on Vistumbler was low on the list. Once he starts bumping me, he's high on both the network list and the Vistumbler list.

    I've read about DD-WRT's firmware upgrades. It sounds great at first until you realize you are actually over clocking the router. This will eventually burn it out. It's quite possible that's what this person has done. OR could he have a repeater, or something so he could extend his network throughout his home. All the houses in our area are 3 story brick homes. My router happens to be placed on the second floor towards the front of the house in what my uncle-in-law calls his "computer room". Which oddly doesn't have any computers in it. It does have the cable modem ,my router, and his router in there. He's hardwired...doesn't want to use wireless or my router...don't ask, he's an idiot! I did order a usb dual channel dongle last night off Amazon. It'll be here by Friday, but if there's anything else I can do to tweak my laptop's Windows settings, I'm all ears. After all I figure I'll be deleting the Realtek nic once the new nic arrives.
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  3. Posts : 2,324
    Win10
       #13

    It's possible your Neighbour is using a Router Modified with a 3rd Party Firmware , so he could have the power set to 140% + so it covers his whole house , which may have detrimental effects for others , he may even be using channels he isn't supposed to for your Locale by choosing another Country in the config. list , but I am not sure how to fix it from your end unless you know who it is and can talk to them nicely.

    I am not sure about DD-WRT etc today , I have used Tomato and a few other Firmwares on my old 54g b/g Routers and it didn't automatically overclock anything , it was all User settable. My Current TPLink C7 Router does not fully support 5ghz on DD-WRT so I am using the Original Firmware on it.

    Hopefully it is just a weak built in Wifi Card in your Laptop and the new Dongle sorts it all out for you....
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  4. Posts : 172
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #14

    This laptop has been nothing but trouble for me! I'm actually using a wireless keyboard because the built in one doesn't work. I have replaced it twice, and the one in it is brand new! I don't eat or drink near my laptop and I use care when cleaning dust and stuff out of it as well. You would think a 3 year old laptop would have at least dual band ability, but this one does not. Doesn't have Bluetooth either. Oh well, I get working again, it'll be fine for my daughter. Have the keyboard fixed by then as well. Get my self a nice Alienware one or something like that! LOL!!!

    I know this guy goes active at night. Almost like clockwork from around 7pm until about 1am. Then on weekends it's usually later like after midnight. So I'm thinking a young working guy (the ssid has a male gender name) Comes home from work, goes online for several hours M-F. Goes out on Friday and Saturday night, comes home checks his emails then crashes. (I was only bumped a few times for about half Sunday night).
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  5. Posts : 2,324
    Win10
       #15

    Probably gaming or doing Bit-torrent/P2P , though not sure why he'd need his Wifi Blasting away ???

    You'll have to keep watch from the front porch , till you see him come home and go online , then leave a note on his windshield :) :) :)

    Good luck.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #16

    To the OP. If you are using Kodi to watch stuff through say Exodus, there is going to be problems, especially with a VPN if you are using one. It has nothing to do with the network, just crappy programming by those who created Kodi. If the pervious b/g router was working just fine with no large amount of packet drops, it would continue to work fine for your daughter to do her online homeschool lessons on. Regardless if you are on 2.4 or 5 ghz, it uses the same Internet connection. 5 ghz has a smaller footprint in how far you can be from the Gateway, along with it can end up dropping because of outside interference in that channel bandwidth that the radio operates on. 2.4 ghz is a larger foot print in that it is more interference forgiving if setup on a channel that is not congested in your area on the Gateway.

    All of the drops can be caused by various problems, but not always by the computers, can be caused by software or line interference from a Ham radio operator close by, radio station close by, tv tower, high voltage power lines, improperly grounded incoming communication lines, etc..
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  7. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #17

    Kbird said:
    Probably gaming or doing Bit-torrent/P2P , though not sure why he'd need his Wifi Blasting away ???

    You'll have to keep watch from the front porch , till you see him come home and go online , then leave a note on his windshield :) :) :)

    Good luck.
    I barely touch the top of my bandwidth even if I wam watching stuff on Kodi in Exodus and my son is streaming through his Apple TV and the wife is watching tv on U-Verse. Bit Torrent and its multiple connections, is the best way to kill a network if you want every computer on the planet trying to send or receive something that you are sharing from your network.
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  8. Posts : 172
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #18

    CRAP! Wrote out a nice reply, dam connection dropped again....and that network is active! UGH! Can't wait until my new nic gets here on Friday, move to 5ghz!!! Any other suggestions on how to "fix" 2.4ghz. Either booth the signal or make it more stable on the laptop's end?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #19

    That would be a adapter problem not a gateway/access point problem. I use a Engenius ECB350 for my Wireless-N connection. It is enough bandwidth for using, with no drops. I can go 125' away and even though my speed may be 7.25mbps, I still have a stable connection.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,324
    Win10
       #20

    jayv2251 said:
    CRAP! Wrote out a nice reply, dam connection dropped again....and that network is active! UGH! Can't wait until my new nic gets here on Friday, move to 5ghz!!! Any other suggestions on how to "fix" 2.4ghz. Either booth the signal or make it more stable on the laptop's end?
    the new nic should answer the question about whether the existing one is just flakey or not .....

    Maybe your UIL just runs the Microwave upstairs when he knows you are online :)
      My Computers


 

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