Router D-Link or Airport

[brobson]

Well I finally got wireless, whew!
I got a free router from D-Link.
It is literally 10 feet from my computer-3 walls.
It sometimes has a strong signal and sometimes not.
For such a small house I don't understand why it won't work better.
Would springing for an Airport basestation be better?
Brenda

 

[mad jew]

Do you have other wireless activity in the area such as other routers, microwaves, or cordless phones? How thick are the walls?

 

[After G]

Maybe you want to boost your transmitter power?

 

[brobson]

Do you have other wireless activity in the area such as other routers, microwaves, or cordless phones? How thick are the walls?

We have cordless phones and a microwave. My computer is in the kitchen area. It is also by a heater in a utility closet sort of area but walls aren't very thick I don't think, the house was built in '52 though so I might be wrong.

How do I boost my transmitting power?
B

 

[mad jew]

Well, you could look at buying a compatible antenna of some sort. Alternatively, move the machine round a little bit to see if you can get better reception. Wireless networks aren't very consistent in their transmissions.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I had a D-Link. Couldn't get my encryption to work with my mac and got a linksys router and couldn't be happier. The D-Link was crap IMHO. However, if it's external interference, linksys or apple wont/cant help you.

 

[After G]

We have cordless phones and a microwave. My computer is in the kitchen area. It is also by a heater in a utility closet sort of area but walls aren't very thick I don't think, the house was built in '52 though so I might be wrong.

How do I boost my transmitting power?
B

You can adjust it in your router page. I use a D-Link router and it's in the advanced tab under "performance". Mine is at 12.5% (1/8 power) and goes through my whole house, so I guess I'm lucky in that regard. Just look in your router settings.

I had a D-Link. Couldn't get my encryption to work with my mac and got a linksys router and couldn't be happier. The D-Link was crap IMHO. However, if it's external interference, linksys or apple wont/cant help you.

My D-Link works okay, strangely enough. Doesn't do EAP with WPA encryption but PSK works. I had a Netgear and a Linksys that were crap before. If your hardware works okay, try making it work before spending more.

 

[valdore]

I have a DLink and hardly ever have problems with it. The only bad thing that ever happens is my network will disappear, but then it shows right back up again.