The Official Computer Tech Support Thread

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

Your wireless network card doesn't control the channel. That would be your wireless router, which is usually set to "auto". Basically, you have a handful of channels that the radio signal broadcasts out on that are spaced apart in the frequency spectrum enough to mitigate certain types of interference. Setting a wireless router or access point to a specific channel is usually done when there are many access points in a close range, so they're set in such a way as they don't overlap at distances where the gain is high enough to cause interference.

Here is what I was going off of:

After several attempts I notice that changing the wireless mode to “2. 802.11b” resolve the internet issue. To try this, follow these steps: Device Manager -> (Your driver here – in my case Intel(R) Centrino Advanced-N 6250 AGN) -> Properties -> Advanced -> Wireless Mode -> Select “2. 802.11b”

However my ratlink card doesn't have wireless mode under advanced.

To do that, you should first rule out the wireless router having interference issues. If other wireless devices on the network are having no issues at the same time your computer IS, then it's probably not the router. Second, I would do that test where all the devices are in the same physical location and not moving. If it's only your computer dropping, it's definitely not interference nor is it a problem with the router.

It is only my laptop. However the issues only occurs at home.
For example, at school I have no issues.

I'll do the rest of your advice for sure. Thanks--it is curious how it is only this connection at home whereas everything else connects fine. My ps4, wii, my roomates computers, etc all connect fine.

Would it help if I told you the router/provider?

It's comcast i can let you know the router if that would help

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by Sparky

Here is what I was going off of:


However my ratlink card doesn't have wireless mode under advanced.





It is only my laptop. However the issues only occurs at home.
For example, at school I have no issues.

I'll do the rest of your advice for sure. Thanks--it is curious how it is only this connection at home whereas everything else connects fine. My ps4, wii, my roomates computers, etc all connect fine.

Would it help if I told you the router/provider?

It's comcast i can let you know the router if that would help

Well, the physical wireless network adapter on your PC is generally going to be able to operate on multiple modes. b/g/n is typical these days. It will automatically do whichever the wireless access point or router is broadcasting on, which is probably also b/g/n. There should be no need to change it unless there's a driver issue at play. The fact that you can't get to such a setting on your PC is kinda weird. Do you have some sort of external wireless adapter for your PC? I've never heard of Ratlink. Are you referring to Ralink?

[Sparky]

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

Well, the physical wireless network adapter on your PC is generally going to be able to operate on multiple modes. b/g/n is typical these days. It will automatically do whichever the wireless access point or router is broadcasting on, which is probably also b/g/n. There should be no need to change it unless there's a driver issue at play. The fact that you can't get to such a setting on your PC is kinda weird. Do you have some sort of external wireless adapter for your PC? I've never heard of Ratlink. Are you referring to Ralink?

Yeah it's ralink.

It's not external.

It just drops randomly with no pattern.

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by Sparky

Yeah it's ralink.

It's not external.

It just drops randomly with no pattern.

How old is the computer? Did the problem occur out of nowhere? What do you mean specifically by "drop"? Have you checked the event log?

[Sparky]

The computer is less than 1 year old I believe.
The problem began when I moved to a new apt, new wifi service.
By "drop" i mean the connection becomes limited and internet functionality ceases.
I don't know how to navigate, or I should say, what/where to look in the event log.

Thanks Freebase, I appreciate your continued help

[Plankton]

For Sparky:
It could be similar to this:

Is it possible to disable the Windows Zero Configuration? - Microsoft Community

[LoathsomePete]

Just out of curiosity is there a standard length where an ethernet cable starts to lose the signal? I'm looking to run about 100' from where the modem has to sit to where my desktop is so I can maintain a stronger connection. Is it worth it, or should I just look at getting a PCI wifi adapter?

[Plankton]

Originally Posted by LoathsomePete

Just out of curiosity is there a standard length where an ethernet cable starts to lose the signal? I'm looking to run about 100' from where the modem has to sit to where my desktop is so I can maintain a stronger connection. Is it worth it, or should I just look at getting a PCI wifi adapter?

It depends on the type of cable. Running a Cat5 cable will give you a more stable connection rather than wifi, but my knowledge on length is a bit limited. Here's some good reading though:

LAN cable: how long is "too long"? - Routers - Networking

[Trollheart]

Originally Posted by LoathsomePete

Just out of curiosity is there a standard length where an ethernet cable starts to lose the signal? I'm looking to run about 100' from where the modem has to sit to where my desktop is so I can maintain a stronger connection. Is it worth it, or should I just look at getting a PCI wifi adapter?

For a while my cable ran from my PC in my bedroom down to my router in the hall. It's not 100 feet (not sure how long most stairs are, but I think that's a long way is it not?) but I think about forty maybe? Anyway the connection was strong. As long as you use one single piece of cable, ie get an ethernet cable equivalent to the distance between your PC and the router. In other words, no adaptors, connectors, stitching pieces together. Once the end that goes into your router and the end that goes into your PC are both on the same original piece of cable I think you should be ok.

It's always preferable to use an ethernet, even if the modem and PC are both in the same room, as Wireless is less reliable, I've been told. Ether tends to drop very seldom if at all, whereas with Wireless it can happen quite a lot.

That's my experience anyway.

[Freebase Dali]

Originally Posted by LoathsomePete

Just out of curiosity is there a standard length where an ethernet cable starts to lose the signal? I'm looking to run about 100' from where the modem has to sit to where my desktop is so I can maintain a stronger connection. Is it worth it, or should I just look at getting a PCI wifi adapter?

328 feet / 100 meters before you should be inserting a repeater, so you should be fine.