Networking Question?

Question

Ok so I have a wireless connection in my house right now, but I am not happy with the way it is setup. I have 2 Gateway Desktops, 1 is 3 years old the other is fairly new. The guy that hooked it up put the router upstairs on the older computer, and the newer computer is downstairs with a wireless receiver. The computer gets a Very Low-Low connection, although the internet is fairly fast. But lately I have been dissatisfied with the connection, and was thinking about moving the router and Cable modem downstairs and the wireless receiver upstairs. I was wondering if the computers would detect the wireless network, and all I would have to do is install the drivers for the router on the new computer and the receiver on the old computer. But maybe I'm wrong and would have to redo the entrie network. What should I do??

Answer 1

First, the age of your Computers is not as much as a factor as the type of the wireless card(s) matching the Wireless Router. Even your 3 year old PC is new enough for all Wireless technology including the new 'N' wireless.

You may have two different problems.

Structure and the Materials of a home plays much for Wireless signals. Especially in older homes. The second problem could be you're not on your Wireless, but perhaps a neighbors'. This happened to me on my first wireless. Also, many PC Techs don't know enough of Wireless to set them up correctly. Even when some say they can.

Here's a test. Leave your Wireless computer on. Go and unplug your Wireless Router. If the Wireless PC is still receiving Signals and you're still online, you were not on your wireless Router. If you loose signal, then it is the materials of (and perhaps the distance within) your house. You can always place the Wireless Router (and the Cable modem) in a central location between the two computers. They do not need to be near the computers in a Wireless environment.

Also, make sure your Wireless Router has the most recent updates. Wireless Drivers ARE NOT stored on your PC. They are hard wired in the Router. The Wireless NIC has the Drivers for the PC. If you are running Windows XP on both computers, they are easy to set up. Windows Vista is not as easy sometimes, mainly from the changes MS made to the Networking Drivers.

I hope you are using WPA2 with your Wireless. Most people don't know to set this up, nor do they know it exists. But, it protects your Internet Access from people outside of your home. Without the wireless being properly locked down, you are always being attacked by hackers and become a Hotspot for Laptop users. (see story below.)

Answer 2

The router doesn't care which computer it's hooked up to. You can just switch it to the other faster computer. Then use the wireless card on the older computer. If your connection to the wireless is not good, its because of the floors/walls etc. You can get a booster for that.

PS make sure you secure your wireless connection from the kids outside connecting with their iPods and laptops. Use Mac filters and maybe even the wep or wpa passwords

Answer 3

First, you may have to have the cable company help you relocate the cable modem. When that is done, your router can be moved with out change to the new location. Any machine near the new location can now be wired. The machine in the old location was probably wired and must now either move or get a wireless interface.

Answer 4

They should detect the difference as long as you don't change the router settings.