Need help with a Wireless setup

Posted:
in Genius Bar edited January 2014
This is what I currently have:



Imac 20" Intel

PS3

Xbox 360

Toshiba laptop



I want to set up a wireless system in the house. I currently am using a Linksys wireless router with Bellsouth DSL 6mb service, but Ive been real unhappy lately. I get a lot of delay when I try to load up a webpage at times, and there is lag when I play online with one of my game systems. Im not sure if its the bellsouth service (i did have comcast before) or what, but I really want to solve this issue. I would do a connection test, and Im always around 2-3mb/s, so I cant understand why Im going through these issues. I researched here, and on other websites, about wireless routers, and I was thinking about maybe switching routers but dont want to waste $100 if the router isnt the problem. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 4
    What model Linksys do you have? Some of them can be flashed with Linux based firmware, effectively giving you the same features as a $600 router. Most routers should have some basic QOS abilities though, so if you know how you'd like to set the priority levels of your machines, you can just go that route.



    If you're not into doing that, you could try disconnecting everything and adding them back one at a time while constantly testing the connection. That might help pinpoint which item is causing the delays.



    good luck!
  • Reply 2 of 4
    It is obviously difficult to tell if the router is the problem without being there to work on it, but I will say from my experience, linksys is absolutely the worst. They tend to go in and out every time there is some sort of circuit variation with your power and for countless other reasons.



    One easy intermediate step is to check to see if your wireless is around several other electronic components, this often reduces signal strength.



    Give that a shot and maybe it will help, if not then you might have to start thinking about a different wireless system.
  • Reply 3 of 4
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by pb1300 View Post


    This is what I currently have:



    Imac 20" Intel

    PS3

    Xbox 360

    Toshiba laptop



    I want to set up a wireless system in the house. I currently am using a Linksys wireless router with Bellsouth DSL 6mb service, but Ive been real unhappy lately. I get a lot of delay when I try to load up a webpage at times, and there is lag when I play online with one of my game systems. Im not sure if its the bellsouth service (i did have comcast before) or what, but I really want to solve this issue. I would do a connection test, and Im always around 2-3mb/s, so I cant understand why Im going through these issues. I researched here, and on other websites, about wireless routers, and I was thinking about maybe switching routers but dont want to waste $100 if the router isnt the problem. Any suggestions would be appreciated.



    Test your "ping times" with your speed tests. It's all well and good to get 2-3mbit/sec, but your ping times with various servers should be around 200 milliseconds, lower is much better. 300 or 400 milliseconds makes web page and online gaming experiences pretty bad.



    Just an idea.
  • Reply 4 of 4
    I ended up going with the Belkin N1 Wireless Router. I dont know if the N router will work with my Imac (dont know if I have an intel core or core 2 duo), but I ended up with that and connected everything to it. I also went into the setting and did some type of tweaking that I found on a website. Now it seems to be working a little better, but what Im thinking is that its the DSL. Unless there is anything in my computer that is slowing it down. I use Yasu every so often, but does anyone have any other suggestions about cleaning up my Mac?
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