Computers

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
Old & busted: Google Maps w/ satellite view.

Yeah, but you still need old and busted PCs to run it:

http://desktop.google.com/download/earth/index.html

[robustpuppy]

My new home is apparently much more solidly built than my old; I can't get wireless internet outside the room where the modem and router are located. My wireless phone , which is connected to the modem (I have vonage), doesn't work upstairs either. The latter is not really an issue -- with two cell phones, we're fine for now, and the home number simultaneously rings on my cell anyway.

But is there anything I can do to boost the wireless signal?
I recall at my old house that the Comcast technician installed some kind of booster at the site of the cable's entry into the house, it was also plugged into an electrical outlet. I suppose I could get another modem and wireless router for the second floor, but that would cost more, and I still wouldn't be able to use my laptop on the porch.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
My new home is apparently much more solidly built than my old; I can't get wireless internet outside the room where the modem and router are located. My wireless phone , which is connected to the modem (I have vonage), doesn't work upstairs either. The latter is not really an issue -- with two cell phones, we're fine for now, and the home number simultaneously rings on my cell anyway.

But is there anything I can do to boost the wireless signal?
I recall at my old house that the Comcast technician installed some kind of booster at the site of the cable's entry into the house, it was also plugged into an electrical outlet. I suppose I could get another modem and wireless router for the second floor, but that would cost more, and I still wouldn't be able to use my laptop on the porch.

There are boosters linksys (scroll down), for example. There are many solutions to these problems, so check around.

Not sure you can put a second cable modem on the same cable line. They may let you take only one address.

What you need to do is test out whether setting up the wireless router on the second floor will reach things (i.e., porch) better, and if so set it up there. Then try to get a fix for downstairs, which might require a booster. Or you might be able to run an ethernet cable through the wall to the room for the desktop, which also solves the problem.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
There are boosters linksys (scroll down), for example. There are many solutions to these problems, so check around.

Not sure you can put a second cable modem on the same cable line. They may let you take only one address.

What you need to do is test out whether setting up the wireless router on the second floor will reach things (i.e., porch) better, and if so set it up there. Then try to get a fix for downstairs, which might require a booster. Or you might be able to run an ethernet cable through the wall to the room for the desktop, which also solves the problem.

Is it possible to link one wireless router (e.g. upstairs) to the one hooked to the cable or DSL or whatever which is downstairs, and connect computers upstairs to the upstairs one and downstairs to the downstairs one?

[robustpuppy]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
There are boosters linksys (scroll down), for example. There are many solutions to these problems, so check around.

Not sure you can put a second cable modem on the same cable line. They may let you take only one address.

What you need to do is test out whether setting up the wireless router on the second floor will reach things (i.e., porch) better, and if so set it up there. Then try to get a fix for downstairs, which might require a booster. Or you might be able to run an ethernet cable through the wall to the room for the desktop, which also solves the problem.

Aha. Thanks for the help. I am going to try moving the modem and router upstairs, but I suspect I'll then be unable to use the wireless in the family room, where the equipment is set up now. Part of the problem is surely that the family room, where the stuff is set up now, is an addition, and so all of its walls are exterior walls (one is brick), and the porch is separated from the house by a brick wall, too.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
Aha. Thanks for the help. I am going to try moving the modem and router upstairs, but I suspect I'll then be unable to use the wireless in the family room, where the equipment is set up now. Part of the problem is surely that the family room, where the stuff is set up now, is an addition, and so all of its walls are exterior walls (one is brick), and the porch is separated from the house by a brick wall, too.

Can you put the router near a window that looks out on the porch? Or does that make it unpossible to get a signal anywhere in the house where you would want it?

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
Is it possible to link one wireless router (e.g. upstairs) to the one hooked to the cable or DSL or whatever which is downstairs, and connect computers upstairs to the upstairs one and downstairs to the downstairs one?

If I understand you correctly, yes, but that still requires a wire between upstairs and downstairs, if the problem is that the floors/ceilings are blocking the signal.

Basically, one wireless router is on a subnet of the other wireless router, and you'll have two signals to choose from (conditions permitting). But if the problem is basement to second floor signal strength, then that problem will still exist.

[Wireless joy!]
\ | | /
[Wireless router-2d floor]
|
|
|[Cat-5 cable]
|
[Wireless router-1st floor]---------[Cable]


(eta: sorry, my spaces get eliminated)

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
Aha. Thanks for the help. I am going to try moving the modem and router upstairs, but I suspect I'll then be unable to use the wireless in the family room, where the equipment is set up now. Part of the problem is surely that the family room, where the stuff is set up now, is an addition, and so all of its walls are exterior walls (one is brick), and the porch is separated from the house by a brick wall, too.

are there any chases, or closets, or cabinets, or stairwells, you could run a single stretch of Cat-5 cable from upstairs to downstairs? That's probably the easiest, in combination with a second wireless router.

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
My new home is apparently much more solidly built than my old; I can't get wireless internet outside the room where the modem and router are located. My wireless phone , which is connected to the modem (I have vonage), doesn't work upstairs either. The latter is not really an issue -- with two cell phones, we're fine for now, and the home number simultaneously rings on my cell anyway.

But is there anything I can do to boost the wireless signal?
I recall at my old house that the Comcast technician installed some kind of booster at the site of the cable's entry into the house, it was also plugged into an electrical outlet. I suppose I could get another modem and wireless router for the second floor, but that would cost more, and I still wouldn't be able to use my laptop on the porch.

Also, in addition to all of the helpful advice already received, a lot is going to depend on what the actual cause of the problem is. Remember that a 2.4 ghz phone is not compatible with the wireless setup. We had to get a new cordless because every time the phone rang it kicked the network off.
Also, your problem may not be signal strength, you could have a lot more RF in your new neighborhood. Boosting the signal won'e help. RF will fuck up everything, including your infrared remote controls. But first try what everyone else said.

[Alex_de_Large]

Introducing Mighty Mouse, Apple's first-ever multi-button mouse. As always, it's a marvel of industrial design.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
Introducing Mighty Mouse, Apple's first-ever multi-button mouse. As always, it's a marvel of industrial design.

As an Apple fan, one can't let the introduction go without a complaint that there's no bluetooth version.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
As an Apple fan, one can't let the introduction go without a complaint that there's no bluetooth version.

2.

[andViolins]

I have a cheap E-Machine computer (2004). Hooked up to the Internet through SBC Yahoo. The Computer runs Windows XP. The DSL Modem is a Speedstream 5100 (siemens product). Yesterday, Microsoft advised of a software update. I downloaded and rebooted. After rebooting, the computer can no longer find the modem. SBC Yahoo support ran my wife through a number of different tests and advised that it is not a hardware problem. Everything is working fine. Their (SBC's) thought is that upon downloading the Microsoft updates, I outdated my driver (for the modem I assume). I am not sure how to proceed and do not want to lug the computer over to CompUSA or Circuit City and pay $100+ if anyone has an easy solution. I realize that I need to get an updated driver. I can do that on a different machine, I am just unsure of how to go about doing it.

Any help is appreciated.

aV

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by andViolins
I have a cheap E-Machine computer (2004). Hooked up to the Internet through SBC Yahoo. The Computer runs Windows XP. The DSL Modem is a Speedstream 5100 (siemens product). Yesterday, Microsoft advised of a software update. I downloaded and rebooted. After rebooting, the computer can no longer find the modem. SBC Yahoo support ran my wife through a number of different tests and advised that it is not a hardware problem. Everything is working fine. Their (SBC's) thought is that upon downloading the Microsoft updates, I outdated my driver (for the modem I assume). I am not sure how to proceed and do not want to lug the computer over to CompUSA or Circuit City and pay $100+ if anyone has an easy solution. I realize that I need to get an updated driver. I can do that on a different machine, I am just unsure of how to go about doing it.

Any help is appreciated.

aV

How is your modem connected to the computer? If it's USB there might be a driver problem. If it's an ethernet cable, then it shouldn't be a driver issue, it's a network settings issue.

Since I'm a mac guy, I forget the exact steps on a PC. But basically you need to establish your network connection settings in the way SBC tells you in that preference pane. I would guess that the new windows software reset that stuff, or changed something, and you'll have to change it back. Usually setting it to DHCP should be enough, but with DSL you may have to put in a user name/password or something.

[andViolins]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
How is your modem connected to the computer? If it's USB there might be a driver problem. If it's an ethernet cable, then it shouldn't be a driver issue, it's a network settings issue.

Since I'm a mac guy, I forget the exact steps on a PC. But basically you need to establish your network connection settings in the way SBC tells you in that preference pane. I would guess that the new windows software reset that stuff, or changed something, and you'll have to change it back. Usually setting it to DHCP should be enough, but with DSL you may have to put in a user name/password or something.

The connection is (I believe) a USB. It looks just like this:



Goes straight from the modem right into the Computer. I have a wireless router, but unplugged it in an attempt to see if it was a hardware problem. The computer "sees" the network connection. I don't know if I'm phrasing that right, but it does not give me the network unplugged icon and in network connections is showing a connection.



aV