Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Wireless Coverage decreases when accessed by multiple comp.

Mar 13, 2006 4:06PM PST

I have setup a wireless network with D-Link model DI-624+A to cover a 900 sq ft apartment with 4 desktop and 1 laptop.

The wirless router is located at the living room with 4 desktops wirelessly connected within 1.5 meter proximity. I use my laptop in a room that is 3.5 meter away from the router with 2 concrete walls in between.

When the 4 desktop are turn off in the living room. My laptop can be connected wirelessly at full speed. However when any one of the desktop is turned on in the living room, I can rarely access the network with my laptop, even if i do, I don't get any speed and i'll get disconnected in 20 secs.

I tried to set the channels to 6 and 7, I visited D-Link website and got the latest update. The problem persist.

Is there solution besides to have wire running around or to use a range extender?
Thank you very much

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
free directional antenna
Mar 13, 2006 6:12PM PST

You may benefit with a stronger signal to your location with a directional antenna modification: http://www.freeantennas.com/

Four desktops turned on could mean 4 users walking or sitting in the line of sight between your laptop and the wireless router. The wireless broadcast doesn't travel well through thick concrete walls or people. You can test this by standing close to the router antenna or near the wireless adapter antenna on a computer.

Maybe placing the router a little higher, mounting it on a wall or ceiling, or placing the router in a more central location will help.

Actually, since you are the only one with the major obstructions (concrete walls), see if you can place the wireless router closer to your location and have the others continue to get a strong connection.

- Collapse -
Maybe one more WAP?
Mar 13, 2006 9:13PM PST

If I wanted to cure this, I'd add one more Wireless Access Point (which is not a router) and place it as close to the area that isn't working well. I'd set one system on channel 1 and the other on 11 to keep them out of each others RF bands.

This is fixable.

Bob

- Collapse -
Wireless Access Point vs Range Extender
Mar 13, 2006 11:06PM PST

First of all, thank you very much for your sharing.

What is the difference Wireless Access Point and Range Extender?

- Collapse -
Google?
Mar 13, 2006 11:13PM PST

You could avail yourself of google.com for answers to common questions so when you hit that brick wall...

Bob

- Collapse -
well, in short
Mar 14, 2006 1:27AM PST

Range expander is a device to expand the range of Wireless Access Point...

- Collapse -
Why do all that when...
Mar 31, 2006 5:15PM PST

you could connect all 4 boxes straight into the router and place the router on top of one of the desktops. If they're about 1.5 meters away from the router, it shouldn't be a big deal to moe the router to the pc's, all you would need is a longer coax cable or telephone cord (depending on what kind of service it is) and presto. I would try that before spending 60-70 bucks on an access point.