Jump to content

Wifi Help

JoePac5

I am having some issues with wifi in my house (I know hardwired is better but its my parents house) 

 

First of all a coax cable is going into the modem, which I know isnt good, but could that be the underlying problem? Wifi speeds are really slow and while there are a lot of devices connected, not all of them are always on (only about 4-5 at a given time) which should be fine for the router. 

 

I'm sorry if this isnt the place for this type of post, but I was hoping to get some advice. I just have a couple questions:

 

1. will replacing the coax input to the modem to a cat5 ethernet fix the slow speeds? 

2. will having 2 internet providers to one house cause problems?

3. what is better? a wifi usb stick for a PC or a wireless PCI card? 

 

I'm hoping to not have these issues in my own apartment someday but, commuting thru college, there is no place like home. haha.

 

thank you for any help you can provide, if this isnt the right forum for such a post, can I request this be moved to the correct forum? Thanks!

 

 

Tech | Auto | Movies | TV | More

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

I am having some issues with wifi in my house (I know hardwired is better but its my parents house) 

 

First of all a coax cable is going into the modem, which I know isnt good, but could that be the underlying problem? Wifi speeds are really slow and while there are a lot of devices connected, not all of them are always on (only about 4-5 at a given time) which should be fine for the router. 

 

I'm sorry if this isnt the place for this type of post, but I was hoping to get some advice. I just have a couple questions:

 

1. will replacing the coax input to the modem to a cat5 ethernet fix the slow speeds? 

2. will having 2 internet providers to one house cause problems?

3. what is better? a wifi usb stick for a PC or a wireless PCI card? 

 

I'm hoping to not have these issues in my own apartment someday but, commuting thru college, there is no place like home. haha.

 

thank you for any help you can provide, if this isnt the right forum for such a post, can I request this be moved to the correct forum? Thanks!

1. what is speed via cable?

2. powerline if you can

3. pcie card, usb ones tend to overheat.

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

-SNIP-

Welcome to the Forums!

 

You can't replace coax with an etherent cable to your modem unless your relocating it, for your coax just make sure it's RG-6 cable and that your signal loss from the number of splitters isn't too high. 

 

Also check your speeds via a wired connection to see what speeds you get and if they are the rated speeds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome to the Forums!

 

You can't replace coax with an etherent cable to your modem unless your relocating it, for your coax just make sure it's RG-6 cable and that your signal loss from the number of splitters isn't too high. 

 

Also check your speeds via a wired connection to see what speeds you get and if they are the rated speeds.

Thanks! I have watched thousands of Linus' videos but never joined, haha

 

I had our ISP provider check our house because of the slow speeds and they said it is possible to change the coax to an ethernet, they apartently going to install it to the house etc. 

 

the wifi speeds reach about 10-13mbps on a good day, on a bad day, 1-8mbps. 

wired i have no way to check because my fathers computer which is the only wired is on Windows Vista and cant get on speediest.net  <_<

Tech | Auto | Movies | TV | More

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks! I have watched thousands of Linus' videos but never joined, haha

 

I had our ISP provider check our house because of the slow speeds and they said it is possible to change the coax to an ethernet, they apartently going to install it to the house etc. 

 

the wifi speeds reach about 10-13mbps on a good day, on a bad day, 1-8mbps. 

wired i have no way to check because my fathers computer which is the only wired is on Windows Vista and cant get on speediest.net  <_<

why can't you get on speedtest?

If you need remote help fixing something on your computer

I can help over Teamviewer if you wish

just msg me on my profile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

1. what is speed via cable?

2. powerline if you can

3. pcie card, usb ones tend to overheat.

1. the ISP quoted speed we are paying for is 18mbps, wifi is getting 10-13mbps on a good day

2. im not sure what you mean by powerline, sorry

3. thanks!

Tech | Auto | Movies | TV | More

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

what ISP is it

I don't see how to can go to ethernet if the modem is a cable modem

you need a coax to go into the modem

then out from the ethernet port to a router

unless the modem is the router to

in which case..I suggest you buy a good router

If you need remote help fixing something on your computer

I can help over Teamviewer if you wish

just msg me on my profile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

why can't you get on speedtest?

his windows vista computer wont download java and he hates when i mess with it, even though im the one in the family that does this for a living, my dad is really old school

Tech | Auto | Movies | TV | More

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

I am having some issues with wifi in my house (I know hardwired is better but its my parents house) 

 

First of all a coax cable is going into the modem, which I know isnt good, but could that be the underlying problem? Wifi speeds are really slow and while there are a lot of devices connected, not all of them are always on (only about 4-5 at a given time) which should be fine for the router. 

 

I'm sorry if this isnt the place for this type of post, but I was hoping to get some advice. I just have a couple questions:

 

1. will replacing the coax input to the modem to a cat5 ethernet fix the slow speeds? 

2. will having 2 internet providers to one house cause problems?

3. what is better? a wifi usb stick for a PC or a wireless PCI card? 

 

I'm hoping to not have these issues in my own apartment someday but, commuting thru college, there is no place like home. haha.

 

thank you for any help you can provide, if this isnt the right forum for such a post, can I request this be moved to the correct forum? Thanks!

 

1. Coax and Cat5 are completely different cables used for very different things. 

- I have my modem connected to the coax with the fewest number of splitters between it and the outside source as each one will decrease signal strength.

- I have upgraded all of my wired connections (Modem>Router>Switch>Wireless AP) with Cat5 or Cat6 cables and very short runs to ensure the best signal possible.

2. There is no problem with having multiple ISP's. They actually make a modem that allows you to have multiple ISP's all connecting to your home network (I think Barnacules did a review of it on his YouTube channel).

3. PCI. You can also get these with some pretty hefty antennas to help with signal loss.

A couple other things you can do is moving things around in your room so the antenna from your wifi card has as few obstructions between it and the AP as possible (including your case and desk) and moving the AP to do the same.

Can also use a powerline adapter (I have never used one, have heard mixed opinion of them and have always had the luck of being able to hardwire my pc).

Or you can ask your parents if you can run a freakishly long ethernet cable through the house. I currently have a 75ft cable running from my switch to my tower that I had to tuck between the baseboard and carpet to hide so it is nearly invisible. If you put some time into it you can actually do a decent job at making them not noticeable unless you are looking for the cable.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

what ISP is it

I don't see how to can go to ethernet if the modem is a cable modem

you need a coax to go into the modem

then out from the ethernet port to a router

unless the modem is the router to

in which case..I suggest you buy a good router

 

its Frontier Communications (they suck in CT) 

 

its a modem/router (hybrid? lol) the ISP said they would be able to do it

 

would i be able to turn off the router part of the modem and buy a better router?

Tech | Auto | Movies | TV | More

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

its Frontier Communications (they suck in CT) 

 

its a modem/router (hybrid? lol) the ISP said they would be able to do it

 

would i be able to turn off the router part of the modem and buy a better router?

yea...look for bridge mode option in the modem's interface

then get a good router like the asus ac56u or something

If you need remote help fixing something on your computer

I can help over Teamviewer if you wish

just msg me on my profile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

btw...tell your dad that he really need to upgrade from shit vista to atleast windows 7

 

if the pc won't install java..then he's got something wrong with his system

 

you could also just install chrome on his pc..and that would work

If you need remote help fixing something on your computer

I can help over Teamviewer if you wish

just msg me on my profile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

1. Coax and Cat5 are completely different cables used for very different things. 

- I have my modem connected to the coax with the fewest number of splitters between it and the outside source as each one will decrease signal strength.

- I have upgraded all of my wired connections (Modem>Router>Switch>Wireless AP) with Cat5 or Cat6 cables and very short runs to ensure the best signal possible.

2. There is no problem with having multiple ISP's. They actually make a modem that allows you to have multiple ISP's all connecting to your home network (I think Barnacules did a review of it on his YouTube channel).

3. PCI. You can also get these with some pretty hefty antennas to help with signal loss.

A couple other things you can do is moving things around in your room so the antenna from your wifi card has as few obstructions between it and the AP as possible (including your case and desk) and moving the AP to do the same.

Can also use a powerline adapter (I have never used one, have heard mixed opinion of them and have always had the luck of being able to hardwire my pc).

Or you can ask your parents if you can run a freakishly long ethernet cable through the house. I currently have a 75ft cable running from my switch to my tower that I had to tuck between the baseboard and carpet to hide so it is nearly invisible. If you put some time into it you can actually do a decent job at making them not noticeable unless you are looking for the cable.

 

thanks so much for the advice and help, this is exactly what i needed. 

 

I'm pretty sure i understand coax and cat5/6, (coax is for tv service and i also guess internet, but has a limited bandwith) (cat5/6 is purely for internet)

Tech | Auto | Movies | TV | More

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

btw...tell your dad that he really need to upgrade from shit vista to atleast windows 7

 

if the pc won't install java..then he's got something wrong with his system

 

you could also just install chrome on his pc..and that would work

 

i have tried a thousand times! he uses it for his business and he doesnt want to touch it becuase it does what he wants and all, im trying to get him to buy a Mac becuase it would be more reliable compared to a PC with 7 being unsupported soon and 10 being unknown if its good. also there is an apple store nearby so he can bother them for help and support. 

Tech | Auto | Movies | TV | More

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

i have tried a thousand times! he uses it for his business and he doesnt want to touch it becuase it does what he wants and all, im trying to get him to buy a Mac becuase it would be more reliable compared to a PC with 7 being unsupported soon and 10 being unknown if its good. also there is an apple store nearby so he can bother them for help and support. 

not sure I would tell him to buy a mac for a business pc

and way more expensive then a pc as well

should tell him to build a new pc...and slowly move everything over to it

If you need remote help fixing something on your computer

I can help over Teamviewer if you wish

just msg me on my profile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

thanks so much for the advice and help, this is exactly what i needed. 

I'm pretty sure i understand coax and cat5/6, (coax is for tv service and i also guess internet, but has a limited bandwith) (cat5/6 is purely for internet)

 

As said I'm a bit confused at why you can't speed test their connection, but you should get very close to the amount your paying for if not more.

 

But in terms of bandwidth coax has a huge capacity over ethernet cable since it has a big frequency range for telephone, TV, and internet. They shouldn't need to replace the coax cable if it's the proper RG-6 stuff in the walls, maybe a booster if signals are weak.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

not sure I would tell him to buy a mac for a business pc

and way more expensive then a pc as well

should tell him to build a new pc...and slowly move everything over to it

 

I did the research and based on the build of a Mac vs me building him one, the mac wins (dont tell linus) 

 

I also think the support network for a mac is a lot better. Not that forums like this arent helpful they are the best, but my dad wouldnt know a thing about them. 

 

the mac mini isnt too expensive at only $499 and it comes with good enough specs for the same as an HP or Lenovo.

Tech | Auto | Movies | TV | More

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

As said I'm a bit confused at why you can't speed test their connection, but you should get very close to the amount your paying for if not more.

 

But in terms of bandwidth coax has a huge capacity over ethernet cable since it has a big frequency range for telephone, TV, and internet. They shouldn't need to replace the coax cable if it's the proper RG-6 stuff in the walls, maybe a booster if signals are weak.

 

with the company being so cheap im not sure what is in the walls, thats difficult to find out with my dad being so old school and not wanting to mess with anything. lol

Tech | Auto | Movies | TV | More

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

I did the research and based on the build of a Mac vs me building him one, the mac wins (dont tell linus) 

 

I also think the support network for a mac is a lot better. Not that forums like this arent helpful they are the best, but my dad wouldnt know a thing about them. 

 

the mac mini isnt too expensive at only $499 and it comes with good enough specs for the same as an HP or Lenovo.

I did the research and based on the build of a Mac vs me building him one, the mac wins ..I think your GOOGLE-FU is lacking..if you can't build a cheaper pc vs a mac with similar specs

If you need remote help fixing something on your computer

I can help over Teamviewer if you wish

just msg me on my profile

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

I did the research and based on the build of a Mac vs me building him one, the mac wins ..I think your GOOGLE-FU is lacking..if you can't build a cheaper pc vs a mac with similar specs

 

I talking about my father here, he doesnt want me to even build him one, he is so old school he is on vista, and he would just go buy a stupid HP PC which is crap. 

 

The mac wins in terms of the support he could get if he needs it, and the fact that he doesnt have to worry about viruses or anything when working on his business documents and internet browsing.

 

also, and im not saying its the PC, it could be the way me and my friend built it, but mine is always acting up. I have replaced everything and it just doesnt turn on the work flawlessly like my macbook does, and i have been a pc user for the last 6 years of my life. 

Tech | Auto | Movies | TV | More

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

thanks so much for the advice and help, this is exactly what i needed. 

 

I'm pretty sure i understand coax and cat5/6, (coax is for tv service and i also guess internet, but has a limited bandwith) (cat5/6 is purely for internet)

 

Not sure about the limited bandwidth problem, my cable internet runs pretty decent speeds..

4485755129.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

I found coax is better because it can support more, the problem we are having is the router built into the modem is really bad, so I'm going to buy a better router and use that.

also I don't have that good of Internet! I wish! haha parents won't pay for more than 18mbps and since I'm still in college I'm not going to argue with them.

Tech | Auto | Movies | TV | More

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

I took a bit of advice from Linus and did away with the all-in-one internet devices. I bought a new modem about 3 years ago and that alone made a huge difference! Most companies (most) will allow you to use your own modem if you so choose. This does mean that if there is a problem with your modem that you are responsible, but hey, I'm kind of a big deal..

Bought the Motorola (Arris) SB6121 and used it with Concast in NJ and moved it with me to LA.

Before the move we were using a Netgear WNDR3400 for a router/switch/wireless. 

 

After we moved I got the ok to really beef up the gear and ended up going with a Ubiquiti EdgeRouter Lite for a router, a Netgear GS108 for a switch, and a Ubiquiti UAP-PRO for a wireless AP. So far we have only had 1 issue with the internet and that was about a month ago and was due to a lightning strike on some of my ISP's equipment. Have had this setup for about a year and have no problems when guests come to visit, or handling all of our devices (3 pc towers, 1 pc laptop, 2 mac laptops, 2 cell phones, 2 printers, 1 tablet, 1 smart tv, 1 Blueray player, 1 Xbox360, and a Philips Hue bridge).

 

When I had roommates in college (not parents, just friends), I volunteered to pay the difference in cost to get the higher speed internet then throttled all connections that weren't to my pc/xbox. Might be worth it if you have the budget to offer to pay the difference to the next step up of internet.. #Priorities

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×