Computers & Networking

[DJax51]

I am technologically impaired, but despite this I decided to purchase a wireless router. I have an Acer with Vista. I purchased Netgear N300. It sends the wifi signal just fine, but continuously kicks me off the internet. After 2 calls to tech support & approximately 3 hrs on the phone, plus a call to my ISP, I have decided to replace this router. I need a wireless router to connect to Ipad, & my TV, not real heavy usage. What brand of router would not keep disconnecting me from the internet?

[parttwo]

I'd say any wireless N would work, even a lower end one.  Netgear and Linksys are good and have easy interfaces.  If you have the same issue I'd recommend calling your ISP again, or trying a new modem.

[DJax51]

Thanks for your reply, will try ISP again

[patrickxaviar]

If the problem is still there ( after checking your ISP) you can try to reconfigure the router settings and reset it. Try to use another router to find whether your internet connection is working properly or not.

[NoNoBadDog]

Try going into the routers setup and changing the channel that it transmits on.  There may be other routers nearby using the same channel and the signals are interfering with each other. 

[DJax51]

Is "router set up" routerlogin.net? Under Channel, it is set to auto, with options 1, 2, 3, etc. Is this what you are referring to?

[hsantana]

I just got an ASUS DLS-N10 and works very well. Very nice setup interface.  

[BillV]

Are there certain times this is happening? Or anything that's "on" when you get kicked off?

For example, I have seen microwaves and cordless telephones both cause problems. The internet would get kicked offline every time the phone rang.

As already recommended, try a different channel (1-11 in the US). If any of the devices above are near your access point, try moving it.

Your interface should have some sort of 'wireless' configuration where you can set the channel.

[NoNoBadDog]

A phone ringing will not knock down a wireless network.  Only when the handset is picked up and the base begins transmitting to the handset will it knock the router signal down.  It will only do so if it is on the exact band and channel as the router, and the phone does not "hop" to find the first clear channel in the band.  Most modern phones will check to find what channels are in use before transmitting, automatically going to the first available clear channel. 

Microwaves can  be a problem, but again, most modern ones that are not the dirt cheapest model on the shelf have enough shielding to prevent them from causing a problem.

Vacuum cleaners, particularly ones that have high amperage motors, and a very real culprit, causing enough radio noise to slow or drop a wireless signal.