I really hope that I can get some assistance with the persistent problems that my wife and I have been having with our wireless Internet connection. We are both using Macbooks, as well as a Siemens SE567 modem/router.
We originally phoned our provider (Bell) complaining that our wireless signal could not reach most areas of the home. We live in very small home with just two floors. The modem/router was (and still is) situated upstairs because that is where the most convenient jack is located. The signal, however, would only reach some areas on the same floor, and was virtually useless on the main floor (where we spend most of our time). The thing is that my wifes laptop worked relatively well, but my signal was dreadful at best. I couldnt take it anymore so I made a service call.
So a Bell service technician came to our house and said that there wasnt too much he could do. He changed the modem/router no improvement. He could only guess that there must be some sort of blockage occurring somewhere in the house. I have always found this hard to believe. Our house is very newly renovated and while there is a brick chimney between the walls, it is so large that a wireless signal wouldnt be able to get around it, I shouldnt think.
So, after threatening to leave and go with another service provider, he went and got another Siemens SE567 and configured a slightly different setup. He setup the new SE567 downstairs and formed a new network, which I understand is reliant upon the signal from the original router upstairs. He said that this isnt really something that the company looks highly upon, but it is known to work.
So after several weeks of this more complex arrangement, with two wireless networks in the house, I have noticed a significant improvement in the quality of my Internet. However, now my wifes computer is virtually unresponsive. It is the most frustrating thing. We also have Apple TV, which is situated downstairs next to the newly installed network, and this works fine on the new network. But my wifes computer is hopeless. It shows the networks, seemingly connects to them (4 bars in Airport), but she cannot access anything, or she gets excruciatingly intermittent access (ie, she gets to a site, but cannot access any further links).
In short, we have never been able to get both Macs working simultaneously.
What are my options? Part of me wants to go out and but a new modem/router, but I am hesitant to spend money on a problem that I know very little about. I understand that the Siemens is not the best router. Then theres also the Airport Express/Extreme that I have been reading about. Based on the problems I am having, does the AE sound like it might be a solution?
I really appreciate any advice/comments anyone can give. So frustrating to be paying money to the thieves at Bell and getting so little service in return.
We originally phoned our provider (Bell) complaining that our wireless signal could not reach most areas of the home. We live in very small home with just two floors. The modem/router was (and still is) situated upstairs because that is where the most convenient jack is located. The signal, however, would only reach some areas on the same floor, and was virtually useless on the main floor (where we spend most of our time). The thing is that my wifes laptop worked relatively well, but my signal was dreadful at best. I couldnt take it anymore so I made a service call.
So a Bell service technician came to our house and said that there wasnt too much he could do. He changed the modem/router no improvement. He could only guess that there must be some sort of blockage occurring somewhere in the house. I have always found this hard to believe. Our house is very newly renovated and while there is a brick chimney between the walls, it is so large that a wireless signal wouldnt be able to get around it, I shouldnt think.
So, after threatening to leave and go with another service provider, he went and got another Siemens SE567 and configured a slightly different setup. He setup the new SE567 downstairs and formed a new network, which I understand is reliant upon the signal from the original router upstairs. He said that this isnt really something that the company looks highly upon, but it is known to work.
So after several weeks of this more complex arrangement, with two wireless networks in the house, I have noticed a significant improvement in the quality of my Internet. However, now my wifes computer is virtually unresponsive. It is the most frustrating thing. We also have Apple TV, which is situated downstairs next to the newly installed network, and this works fine on the new network. But my wifes computer is hopeless. It shows the networks, seemingly connects to them (4 bars in Airport), but she cannot access anything, or she gets excruciatingly intermittent access (ie, she gets to a site, but cannot access any further links).
In short, we have never been able to get both Macs working simultaneously.
What are my options? Part of me wants to go out and but a new modem/router, but I am hesitant to spend money on a problem that I know very little about. I understand that the Siemens is not the best router. Then theres also the Airport Express/Extreme that I have been reading about. Based on the problems I am having, does the AE sound like it might be a solution?
I really appreciate any advice/comments anyone can give. So frustrating to be paying money to the thieves at Bell and getting so little service in return.