Wireless Router Question:

The typical answer to your quesiton would be "no" but depends on if you are having an issue with either your wireless card in your laptop or perhaps the location of your wireless router.

what issue are you trying to resolve, slow internet?

Good Day!

If I plugged my wireless router directly into my laptop, would I get better connectivity?

I really don't know much about how all this stuff works...but I am willing to learn from others!

In most cases yes. If not better then certainly more reliable.

Use an Ethernet cable from your ISP's modem and plug it into Internet/WAN port on your router. Then run a cable from any of the four LAN ports to your PC. Be sure to disable to turn off or disable the WiFi on your PC as having two LAN connections simultaneously usually results in bad things happening.

Good Day!

If I plugged my wireless router directly into my laptop, would I get better connectivity?

I really don't know much about how all this stuff works...but I am willing to learn from others!

In most cases yes. If not better then certainly more reliable.

I'll go ahead and disagree with this 😉

in most cases it doesn't matter, however there are a few things to keep in mind.

Currently "wireless" connections use a standard called 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ad - these are the possible versions you are using depending on your equipment).

They allow connection speeds of anywhere form 5mbits/s to 7000mbits/s depending on the radio reception (signal strength) & are very reliable.

Most of these function in the 2-5 Ghz radio band (though some of the later standards go all the way to 60ghz) some other consumer electronics work in this same range which could cause a conflict with your wireless connection, but in general this is not the case.

an Ethernet cable generally functions at 100 mbits/s (though these can vary as well, 1000 mbits/s on Cat-6 is not uncommon these days) and is not effected as much from outside influneces (though if you run your cable along side a medium-high voltage power cable you will get bad interference, worse than wireless usualy).

But all that aside, the best answer really still is: "no" but depends on if you are having an issue with either your wireless card in your laptop or perhaps the location of your wireless router.

Thanks Y'all!

Yes, slooooooowwwwww connection, a constantly interrupted streaming while trying to listen to Pandora. No video, just audio.

I have a new laptop, so the problems I have been having are not related to the wireless card.

This streaming problem has been happening since January/February. Before Jan/Feb, I had no issues with streaming.

I did the speedtest, and apparently I am within normal range.

As many may have noticed, I have been frustrated with the change in connectivity that began in Jan/Feb.

I thank all of you wiz's who are contributing to providing possible remedies!

I know most folks setup WEP or some other security key. But if that isn't a secured network (like mine wasn't"t a few months ago for some odd reason) then you could be losing bandwidth to WiFi poachers. I went from 25MB DL speeds to 2MB DL. couldn't figure it out at first. Until I did a power off reset and noticed it was no longer a secured WiFi network.
Just a thought.

network is secured, password protected.

I know most folks setup WEP or some other security key. But if that isn't a secured network (like mine wasn't"t a few months ago for some odd reason) then you could be losing bandwidth to WiFi poachers. I went from 25MB DL speeds to 2MB DL. couldn't figure it out at first. Until I did a power off reset and noticed it was no longer a secured WiFi network.
Just a thought.

This is a good point, however if poodle is using a wireless reciever from one of the local companies here they come with WEP configured (if poodle has a seperate wireless router then this might be the case.)

I did the speedtest, and apparently I am within normal range.

BBVI keeps telling me there is nothing wrong.......hmm.

That is normal for you? what speed package are you paying for? that seems pretty low to me, however you should be able to at least stream pandora with no issue on that connection.

I'm not sure of the package, as it is graciously provided by my landlords.

What doesn't make any sense is that the streaming was perfect before Jan/Feb. Then something changed. I have eliminated my laptop, as now I have a new one.

What could change things so much?

Hmmm, is the Modem located in your unit? Or just the router?

LiquidFluoride: The speed that poodle posted is correct and appropriate for basic BBVI service. She may have other intermittent problems, but the speed at the moment of the test was fine .

This is what I have already done this morning:

I have plugged my laptop into the modem, I did this before I posed the question. My streaming improved dramatically, but there are still bouts of interruption. Not nearly as bad, but still there. I did this as a means to eliminate the router as the issue....

now what's the diagnosis?

Works better plugged into the modem for the most part. Aside from doing a reset to the modem I am stumped.

This is what I have already done this morning:

I have plugged my laptop into the modem, I did this before I posed the question. My streaming improved dramatically, but there are still bouts of interruption. Not nearly as bad, but still there. I did this as a means to eliminate the router as the issue....

now what's the diagnosis?

If the performance is better when bypassing the router by cabling laptop directly into modem then the issue points towards something with the router. Has the router been moved from where it was before the issue started until now ? Did you add any wireless devices (phones etc..) to your place ? When connected to the WIFI what sort of signal strength is Windows reporting for the connection ? The drops that you are still getting could be due to BBVI having congestion etc but if the router is making things worse then it shouldn't be a BBVI problem as you would not be getting improved results by bypassing the router. It could also be that if the router is old it might be time for a new one. You might also check to see if there is updated firmware for the router that could be installed, sometimes new firmware can make a world of difference in performance. You could also try to do a factory reset to the router and reconfigure it if you feel confident enough to do so, just make sure that you know all of the ISP settings etc before you do this.....

"You could also try to do a factory reset to the router and reconfigure it if you feel confident enough to do so, just make sure that you know all of the ISP settings etc before you do this....."

Definitely make sure, it can be a nightmare to fix if you don't know them. Better to have a techie type if you know one to try and work it out.

I believe I have confused myself!

ok...the BBVI cable is directly in my router/modem, then I plugged my laptop directly into that, and this is where it is now working better.

I believe I have confused myself!

ok...the BBVI cable is directly in my router/modem, then I plugged my laptop directly into that, and this is where it is now working better.

The next step is to use another Ethernet cable and connect your router to BBVI and then from your router to your PC. If you still have problems you know your router is the problem.

I still stand by my statement that wired Ethernet connections are the way to go if at all possible. To demonstrate this install LAN speed test on your PC. Using Ethernet you should be able to move files on your LAN at 85+ Mbps (Higher if you have gigabyte ports on your PCs and router ). Under optimal conditions using WiFi you will be doing well to get 45 Mbps - 65 Mbps even if you have the latest AC routers and adapters that according to the hype on the box are capable of 1300 Mbps.

WiFi is convenient and great for checking e-mail and updating FaceBook, etc., but nothing beats Ethernet for backing up files, streaming HD media from a home theater PC.

Thank you JD for the clarity....onward I go!

This has been on going for 5 months, have you had a human bean look over your system?

It is pretty hard to diagnose and fix a problem using an online forum.

Sloop

yes, sloop, BBVI has been out. They failed to explain to me how my router knew how to tell time, and only act-up between 10am & 6pm.

I was not suggesting BBVI. I am suggesting you find someone who works on Home networks.

Asking BBVI to solve your network problem is like asking WAPA to fix your toaster.

Wireless routers are very tricky indeed and even those quite familiar with networking can run into problems. There are lots of techies who ca help. Try Alex at Computer Solutions.

Sloop, dat funny!

yes, sloop, BBVI has been out. They failed to explain to me how my router knew how to tell time, and only act-up between 10am & 6pm.

My router has many time controlled functions. I turn my WiFi radios off at night, back up traffic and log files hourly to an attached drive, check for firmware updates weekly and once a day to reboot.

While I don't use it parental control functions, they can be time of day specific and QOS can be set up with different rules for different day parts.

If you have inadvertently set up time of day settings and don't know how to check and undo them then try a factory reset on your router or hire someone that knows what they are doing to solve your problems.

I was not suggesting BBVI. I am suggesting you find someone who works on Home networks.

Asking BBVI to solve your network problem is like asking WAPA to fix your toaster.

and just to add to Sloop's quote of the year....BBVI does not work on customer's routers. There are plenty of IT consultants on all 3 islands to help you with your home network issues. We have tried to explain to poodle 10 times that the issue is not BBVI but her router or laptop.