Wireless router questions - Page 2 - Golden Retrievers : Golden Retriever Dog Forums

Phillyfisher · #11 (**permalink**) 08-25-2010, 09:19 PM

How old is your router? Ours, while it still worked kept having more and more problems. We especially had problems with it all the time with our old laptop that had Vista on it. We constantly had to turn the router off and on to fix the connections. Once I bought a new router, things were much much better.

tippykayak · #12 (**permalink**) 08-25-2010, 10:08 PM

802.11g is an older standard, very fast and stable. It's faster than most home internet connections, so your speed is limited by your DSL or cable, not the router.

802.11n is a relatively new standard, much faster than 802.11g and with better range. However, your laptop also has to be 802.11n compatible to take advantage of that. If one of your laptops or devices only has 802.11g, then the router will have to run in g/n compatibility mode, which will slow down the network a bit.

Regardless, both g and n are faster than most home internet, so upgrading to n isn't necessary for most folks. The advantage is that you can make computer-to-computer transfers very quickly in the house, and if you have a super fast internet connection, you can take better advantage of it with an 802.11n router.

For example, even though we have mediocre DSL, we have an 802.11n router from Apple, since we use a wireless backup system that automatically keeps the laptops backed up while we're home. In that situation speed is really important.

Your security is determined by the encryption standard you use. WPA2 is incredibly good encryption that works well with most computers and with both 802.11g and 802.11n.

Sorry I can't help in fixing the router itself. Restoring to factory settings and then upgrading to the most current software is the best suggestion I have.

NuttinButGoldens · #13 (**permalink**) 08-26-2010, 10:42 AM

What brand/model router do you have?

Have you updated the firmware lately?

It sounds like your router is locking up. This is why rebooting it brings the network back online.

I can help more once I know the brand/model of your current router.

If anyone is considering a new router these days, probably the best one available right now is the Netgear WNDR-3700.

The part about G networking being more stable than N networking is not something I've experienced.

NuttinButGoldens · #14 (**permalink**) 08-26-2010, 10:44 AM

Actually, security is independent of the wireless version.

No one should be running WEP any more. Everyone should be running WPA2. WEP is no longer secure. Hell, it was cracked within weeks of being released.

Quote:

Originally Posted by acupofteha

Yes I would go G rather then N only if you have to buy a new router but it doesn't sound like you have to.
You may need to reset it to Factory settings, as that sometimes is the problem. Just make sure you have all your information with you (passwords and such).
It could be your computer actually droping your connection, have you tried to search for it in your wireless area, by refreshing the page (where you search for wireless networks).

When I was with Rogers sometimes it wasn't my router that was the problem but the rogers net box itself. If you do have something like that Unplug Both of them, for at least a minute, then plug them back in. I personally would do this first before resetting the router to factory just because that's a pain.

If I remember correctly G is more secure, and has a better range.

Good luck

AmbikaGR · #15 (**permalink**) 08-26-2010, 02:00 PM

Well it has been 24 hours since resetting to factory settings and not an issue yet.

I thought that just unplugging for 15 minutes and then restarting was doing that but my son said no. Had to hold in the button on back while unplugging, keep it depressed for 60 seconds and then plug it back in while still depressing the button. Well that seems to have done the trick and it was a LOT cheaper.

Thanks for all the advice. Good to have some "geeks" as friends!!

NuttinButGoldens · #16 (**permalink**) 08-26-2010, 02:04 PM

Remember to reset your password and wireless security. You are wide open after a factory reset

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmbikaGR

Well it has been 24 hours since resetting to factory settings and not an issue yet.

I thought that just unplugging for 15 minutes and then restarting was doing that but my son said no. Had to hold in the button on back while unplugging, keep it depressed for 60 seconds and then plug it back in while still depressing the button. Well that seems to have done the trick and it was a LOT cheaper.

Thanks for all the advice. Good to have some "geeks" as friends!!