Wifi help...

[Kompany Car]

I assume if the signal has to swap electrical circuits via the consumer unit with all its fuses and trip switches it will possibly degrade? I had an issue that the signal would be travelling through two consumer units and it just wouldn’t work with powerline adapters, so I went with creating a second wifi zone instead.

Ideally you need them on the same wiring ring. They can work if for instance you have say one on a downstairs ring and one on the upstairs but it can be a bit hit and miss.

They operate at between 30 and 80MHz so the age and quality of your wiring will make a big difference. Its not just the resistance of the circuit but the loop impedance thats important.

As we have gone around the house doing rooms up Ive gradually installed a wired network that goes back to a managed network switch in the cupboard under the stairs and fitted a couple of ethernet wall plates in each room. Yep its a pain to do but if youve got the floorboards up might as well do a proper job.

 

[Barcon]

I was gonna say the tight get should buy a new pc

He'd have to sell one of his boats ; )

 

[Centurions]

My PC is about 18 years tbh and needed a booster before so a newer addition with all the whistles and bell s probably wouldn't go amiss.

In that case try something like the TP-Link T3U, I've used one when I was working upstairs and they're very good. There's a multitude of other options if you put in "WiFi Dongle for PC" in Amazon.

If needed you can plug them into a USB extension lead and place them higher for a better signal.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-Archer-T3U-Plus-Windows10/dp/B084WBTTN6/?th=1

Edit: at £16 it's a damn sight cheaper than replacing the PC.

 

[Tuearts right boot]

If it's connected wirelessly, maybe try a new WIfi dongle. It won't be money wasted as if you buy a new PC you can use it on that. 18 year old PC? Still running XP or Windows 1? ;-)

Windows 10...I think

 

[diegoalv]

A wifii dongle is such a lifesaver, even my cheap one works great

 

[Tuearts right boot]

Got the PC almost next to the router, separated by an internal wall.....and it works OK so far ( 3 bars on the icon whereas before it was nothing ), worryingly it's not asked me for the new password

Sky suggested an ethernet cable....not having that, a rental set up for a repeater/booster or....get a new laptop

What is this ' dongle ' you speak of and how do they work.

 

[Centurions]

Got the PC almost next to the router, separated by an internal wall.....and it works OK so far ( 3 bars on the icon whereas before it was nothing ), worryingly it's not asked me for the new password

Sky suggested an ethernet cable....not having that, a rental set up for a repeater/booster or....get a new laptop

What is this ' dongle ' you speak of and how do they work.

It replaces the existing built in or external WiFi on your PC, if the PC is 18 years old I'm guessing that would be the same age (unless you've replaced it at some time).

A new dongle will support newer WiFi standards and hopefully give you a better chance of picking up the signal. They (generally) just plug into a USB port (use as fast a port as possible).

That said, if it is 18 years old then I'd definitely look at replacing it.

Edit: you may need to disable the existing one.

 

[Tuearts right boot]

It replaces the existing built in or external WiFi on your PC, if the PC is 18 years old I'm guessing that would be the same age (unless you've replaced it at some time).

A new dongle will support newer WiFi standards and hopefully give you a better chance of picking up the signal. They (generally) just plug into a USB port (use as fast a port as possible).

That said, if it is 18 years old then I'd definitely look at replacing it.

Edit: you may need to disable the existing one.

Sounds like good advice...put the PC back where it was and nothing has changed whereas in the lounge, nearer the router, it worked perfectly. Cheers.

 

[mexico1970]