Internet upstairs - IMPOSSIBLE!
Discussion
walm said:
I have sky broadband into my main phone-line on the ground floor.
Router is from 2007 - old netgear DG834 on G.
Move the phone line up to the top floor and put the wireless router up there. Wireless signal travels out like the shape of an umbrella, so the best signal is when you have it as high as possible in the house.Router is from 2007 - old netgear DG834 on G.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Extension-BT-Linebox-Maste...
The Moose said:
Plotloss said:
This sounds to me like a PICNIC problem.
I would have thought more likely PEBCAK, no?? 
The Moose said:
Where in the country are you? It really shouldn't be that hard!!
I didn't realise that wifi strength was postcode dependent. I am in TW1 = Twickenham, the 'burbs.
If you are potentially offering to pop round and fix it you would be most welcome.
However, I have to warn you of the following.
The router is perched precariously on top of a very large cupboard. (I wanted it as high as possible obviously.)
Behind the cupboard is the phone access point and power socket.
The cupboard is sandwiched between a wall and a fireplace; you can only shift it in one direction.
There is a chunky rug effectively superglued to the wooden floor in front of the cupboard, right in the only spot the cupboard could possibly move into.
The cupboard holds many books, the TV, two crates full of toys, a rucksack for carrying children, the Sky box, and sometimes a small child establishing the exact height required to fall from in order to break young bones.
I don't get home until the two kids (both under 3) have gone to bed.
They are very light sleepers.
The cupboard is located directly below my youngest's (15 months) bedroom.
You will need to move the cupboard because the slightest touch on the router will cause it to fall down the back of the cupboard. In fact, if you merely look at the router in the wrong way, it will leap down the back out of spite.
The cupboard, of course has to be moved in ABSOLUTE SILENCE.
My wife will be the judge of this.
If you cause ANY noise (god forbid actually WAKE the children) then my wife's anger will make the Apocalypse seem like afternoon tea with granny.
Plus access to the marital bed (for me) will be banned for the NEXT decade too.
("You only want the internet for porn anyway..."
"No I don't! But now it doesn't work anyway so even if I did... wait, damn.")
I have tried fixing the damn thing over the weekend but then the children are awake which I assure you is infinitely worse.
The Moose said:
Can you move the router to the middle floor?
I tried this but for some reason the phone line used has to be on the MAIN line.When I plugged in the phone and microfilter, neither phone nor internet worked.
The Moose said:
What about using a repeater?
That was my first thought. I found some idiot-proof range extenders I wanted to buy but then found they were out of stock on-line.Subsequently, I have found plenty of other ones available when taking another look, just not the REALLY cheap ones I wanted.
These MAY be an option once I have tried all other avenues mentioned above.
Possibly ahead of the long USB extension cable.
This is going to sound really stupid (and in fact might be) but I believe that the aerials on routers are mildly directional, designed to project the signal as far as possible horizontally at expense of vertical coverage.
Adjusting the aerial so that it sticks out horizontally rather than upwards like you would normally (or mounting the router vertically if it doesn't have an external aerial) might just get you enough extra range to do the job.
(this is all assuming that it is a signal problem, not a config problem)
Adjusting the aerial so that it sticks out horizontally rather than upwards like you would normally (or mounting the router vertically if it doesn't have an external aerial) might just get you enough extra range to do the job.
(this is all assuming that it is a signal problem, not a config problem)
Mr Will said:
This is going to sound really stupid (and in fact might be) but I believe that the aerials on routers are mildly directional, designed to project the signal as far as possible horizontally at expense of vertical coverage.
Adjusting the aerial so that it sticks out horizontally rather than upwards like you would normally (or mounting the router vertically if it doesn't have an external aerial) might just get you enough extra range to do the job.
(this is all assuming that it is a signal problem, not a config problem)
And:Adjusting the aerial so that it sticks out horizontally rather than upwards like you would normally (or mounting the router vertically if it doesn't have an external aerial) might just get you enough extra range to do the job.
(this is all assuming that it is a signal problem, not a config problem)
http://lifehacker.com/296367/boost-your-wireless-s...
http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template2/ind...
Edited by Munter on Wednesday 22 September 16:31
Munter said:
Mr Will said:
This is going to sound really stupid (and in fact might be) but I believe that the aerials on routers are mildly directional, designed to project the signal as far as possible horizontally at expense of vertical coverage.
Adjusting the aerial so that it sticks out horizontally rather than upwards like you would normally (or mounting the router vertically if it doesn't have an external aerial) might just get you enough extra range to do the job.
(this is all assuming that it is a signal problem, not a config problem)
And:Adjusting the aerial so that it sticks out horizontally rather than upwards like you would normally (or mounting the router vertically if it doesn't have an external aerial) might just get you enough extra range to do the job.
(this is all assuming that it is a signal problem, not a config problem)
http://lifehacker.com/296367/boost-your-wireless-s...
However, that hacker site had a hack for increasing the power of your Xmit which looks interesting and completely beyond me but well worth fantasising about.
The Belkin Adaptor problem sounds like a password synch issue.
I take it you been through this? (apologies If I'm going over stuff you have already tried)
Changing the Network Password
1. With both Adapters plugged into the wall, press the “Encryption”
button on both units for 10 seconds. The password on these Adapters has now been changed to a random value.
2. Next, press the “Encryption” button on one unit for more than 0.5
seconds, but less than three seconds.
3. Within two minutes (leg it up the stairs), press the “Encryption” button on the second unit for more than 0.5 seconds, but less than three seconds.
4. The new network password has now been saved to the second
unit. The password will not be lost, even if the Adapters are unplugged from the wall.
And if you get really stuck, I am happy to pop over and offer help, I don't live too far away.
I take it you been through this? (apologies If I'm going over stuff you have already tried)
Changing the Network Password
1. With both Adapters plugged into the wall, press the “Encryption”
button on both units for 10 seconds. The password on these Adapters has now been changed to a random value.
2. Next, press the “Encryption” button on one unit for more than 0.5
seconds, but less than three seconds.
3. Within two minutes (leg it up the stairs), press the “Encryption” button on the second unit for more than 0.5 seconds, but less than three seconds.
4. The new network password has now been saved to the second
unit. The password will not be lost, even if the Adapters are unplugged from the wall.
And if you get really stuck, I am happy to pop over and offer help, I don't live too far away.
DeputyDawg said:
The Belkin Adaptor problem sounds like a password synch issue.
I take it you been through this? (apologies If I'm going over stuff you have already tried)
And if you get really stuck, I am happy to pop over and offer help, I don't live too far away.
I did try that, although I was low on confidence that I had held down the key long enough the second time.I take it you been through this? (apologies If I'm going over stuff you have already tried)
And if you get really stuck, I am happy to pop over and offer help, I don't live too far away.
The two boxes do appear to be talking to each other relatively happily, it was more the router-PC conversation that failed. It may be as simple as the IP assignment that Plotloss mentioned...
Thanks very much for the offer of popping round!
I am going to give a few of the suggestions my best try and might well be PMing you if it all fails!
Update: I am just trying to switch my Sky router for a new netgear N enabled router.
As suggested I am trying to find my username and password from my existing router before setting up the new one.
THIS DOESN'T f
kING WORK.
The various sites (including miniman's suggested site) suggest logging into the router.
DONE.
Then they say go to http://192.168.0.1/setup.cgi?todo=ping_test&c4...
which I do but it just gives me a blank page.
Then it says go to http://192.168.0.1/netgear.cfg
which just gives me a pink 404 page not found page.
Some sites suggest upgrading the firmware on the netgear router first.
So as suggested I go to www.netgear.com select my product (DG834GT).
I CAN'T EVEN ACHIEVE THE fkING FIRMWARE UPGRADE...
HOW MUCH OF A fkING MORON MUST I BE.
I get the nice message:
Upgrade file is not the correct type or version for this device.
Upgrade failed.
Please obtain the correct file and try again.
Can anybody help me find my username and password from my current sky router??
As suggested I am trying to find my username and password from my existing router before setting up the new one.
THIS DOESN'T f
kING WORK.The various sites (including miniman's suggested site) suggest logging into the router.
DONE.
Then they say go to http://192.168.0.1/setup.cgi?todo=ping_test&c4...
which I do but it just gives me a blank page.
Then it says go to http://192.168.0.1/netgear.cfg
which just gives me a pink 404 page not found page.
Some sites suggest upgrading the firmware on the netgear router first.
So as suggested I go to www.netgear.com select my product (DG834GT).
I CAN'T EVEN ACHIEVE THE f
kING FIRMWARE UPGRADE...HOW MUCH OF A f
kING MORON MUST I BE.I get the nice message:
Upgrade file is not the correct type or version for this device.
Upgrade failed.
Please obtain the correct file and try again.
Can anybody help me find my username and password from my current sky router??
i had the same problem trying to set a new router up for my mate so the xbox in the back bedroom would work.
COuldn't get it sorted with the online password finder, so i did what has previously been recommended. Turn off the wireless on the sky router, plug the sky router into the other router and use that as an access point. Job done.
COuldn't get it sorted with the online password finder, so i did what has previously been recommended. Turn off the wireless on the sky router, plug the sky router into the other router and use that as an access point. Job done.
OK a little more googling and I found:
http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/extracting-sky-rout...
Which worked some sort of behind the scenes miracle and I now have my details.
A little calmer now.
Will try new router.
Not holding out much hope.
Opening a nice Cabernet before I start.
Wife at the gym so at least she isn't hearing the new swearwords I am inventing.
http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/extracting-sky-rout...
Which worked some sort of behind the scenes miracle and I now have my details.
A little calmer now.
Will try new router.
Not holding out much hope.
Opening a nice Cabernet before I start.
Wife at the gym so at least she isn't hearing the new swearwords I am inventing.
walm said:
OK a little more googling and I found:
http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/extracting-sky-rout...
Which worked some sort of behind the scenes miracle and I now have my details.
A little calmer now.
Will try new router.
Not holding out much hope.
Opening a nice Cabernet before I start.
Wife at the gym so at least she isn't hearing the new swearwords I am inventing.
Yeah, that's the link in my post earlier...http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/extracting-sky-rout...
Which worked some sort of behind the scenes miracle and I now have my details.
A little calmer now.
Will try new router.
Not holding out much hope.
Opening a nice Cabernet before I start.
Wife at the gym so at least she isn't hearing the new swearwords I am inventing.
Final update:
I have installed the new router.
It appears to be working fine with my laptop and iPhone.
I go upstairs to try the desktop.
Exactly the same signal strength as with the old box. 15%.
The only difference is that the wireless utility is registering that the signal is N (and B and G) rather than just B and G.
Still won't connect obviously.
Someone talked about the "umbrella" shape to the signal so I turned the antenna 90 degrees to horizontal not vertical.
This improved the signal to 22%.
Still won't connect obviously.
If anyone wants a desktop with two 19in screens please let me know.
It runs XP, probably has loads of virii and is very good at wireless networking.
I have installed the new router.
It appears to be working fine with my laptop and iPhone.
I go upstairs to try the desktop.
Exactly the same signal strength as with the old box. 15%.
The only difference is that the wireless utility is registering that the signal is N (and B and G) rather than just B and G.
Still won't connect obviously.
Someone talked about the "umbrella" shape to the signal so I turned the antenna 90 degrees to horizontal not vertical.
This improved the signal to 22%.
Still won't connect obviously.
If anyone wants a desktop with two 19in screens please let me know.
It runs XP, probably has loads of virii and is very good at wireless networking.
Two new options for you as to be quite honest, you've not had enough already 
but I am not a techie so these probably won't work and may make things worse!
1. Change the wireless channel on the router settings
2. Swap your wifi dongle for a proper wireless card, maybe with an antennae extender.
Good luck!
but I am not a techie so these probably won't work and may make things worse!1. Change the wireless channel on the router settings
2. Swap your wifi dongle for a proper wireless card, maybe with an antennae extender.
Good luck!
Just had a thought about the powerlines.
Are you sure that the two sockets are on the same power system.
Our house has a fuse box for the old part of the house, then another one for the new part of the house.
I would guess that the sockets on one fuse box, are in no way connected to the others.
Never used or seen the powerline adapters, but I do know that belkin aren't known for their superior product quality,
.
Just thought I'd chuck in my 2p,, I've had my fair share of annoying network problems and know how frustrating it can be,
Are you sure that the two sockets are on the same power system.
Our house has a fuse box for the old part of the house, then another one for the new part of the house.
I would guess that the sockets on one fuse box, are in no way connected to the others.
Never used or seen the powerline adapters, but I do know that belkin aren't known for their superior product quality,
.Just thought I'd chuck in my 2p,
, I've had my fair share of annoying network problems and know how frustrating it can be, So I am now communicating with the great PH via my desktop.
I have managed to boost my signal to the lofty heights of 24% which is allowing it to communicate with the outside world.
This minor miracle has been achieved by moving the router further away from the cordless phone (I know, I know) and by moving it further away from the telly.
Since the TV and phone and router are all dependent on the one link (the phone socket for the sky box, phone and ADSL all combined) I have had them all rather close to each other.
The TV and phone need to be as far away from the router as possible to avoid what are clearly knife-edge levels of interference.
So I am going to buy a boat load of phone cable so I can have the router as far away from interference as I like.
If I can move it into the kitchen (NOT near the microwave) I will be directly under the office and away from the cordless phone.
Thanks again for all the help.
I think I would have given up about 3 hours ago (and probably got a good nights sleep but had no wifi) without the PH encouragement!
I have managed to boost my signal to the lofty heights of 24% which is allowing it to communicate with the outside world.
This minor miracle has been achieved by moving the router further away from the cordless phone (I know, I know) and by moving it further away from the telly.
Since the TV and phone and router are all dependent on the one link (the phone socket for the sky box, phone and ADSL all combined) I have had them all rather close to each other.
The TV and phone need to be as far away from the router as possible to avoid what are clearly knife-edge levels of interference.
So I am going to buy a boat load of phone cable so I can have the router as far away from interference as I like.
If I can move it into the kitchen (NOT near the microwave) I will be directly under the office and away from the cordless phone.
Thanks again for all the help.
I think I would have given up about 3 hours ago (and probably got a good nights sleep but had no wifi) without the PH encouragement!
Cerberus90 said:
Just had a thought about the powerlines.
Are you sure that the two sockets are on the same power system.
Ive just skimmed the entire thread to see if this was mentioned, we used to sell the panasonic version of the mains ethernet sender and they were bomb proof BUT we got them back when people tried to use them on separate mains circuits as they can never work in that scenarioAre you sure that the two sockets are on the same power system.
The easiest answer I guarantee will work is move your master BT socket using quality cable and a fully connected socket then plug your router in, wire it outside the house if you have to.
Edited by DSLiverpool on Thursday 23 September 05:21
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