Weird problem

My friends have a problem with their computer - it's an XP Pro machine. It's
in a state to begin with, extremely slow to boot, every programme is slow to
open...

The problem is they have a 3Com OfficeConnect ADSL Wireless router
connected. After a short time, the connection just drops - all the function
lights on the router indicate that it's still operating, and the logs don't
show any disconnects. When they reboot the PC, it connects to the internet
at first, then eventually drops again - until they reboot it.

Is this likely to be the PC or router at fault? Can anyone give me some
advice how to fix this problem, please?

There is another slight problem (whilst I'm here!) - the main PC is situated
in an upstairs extension, which has a double studded wall. Because of this,
the wireless connection to their laptop is very poor when used in any other
part of the house. As they can't move the main PC to another room, can
anyone suggest a set up that would overcome this? Powerline networking
isn't an option as the extension is on a separate ring main.

Thank you.

Craig
(no expert)

Craig Fox wrote:

>
> There is another slight problem (whilst I'm here!) - the main PC is situated
> in an upstairs extension, which has a double studded wall. Because of this,
> the wireless connection to their laptop is very poor when used in any other
> part of the house. As they can't move the main PC to another room, can
> anyone suggest a set up that would overcome this? Powerline networking
> isn't an option as the extension is on a separate ring main.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Craig
> (no expert)
>

I stand corrected but I think Powerline networking is OK between rings
inside ahouse as long as there are no RCDs present.

If you want to maintain the wireless to the laptop (for convenience) it
is now possible (at a price) to get powerline connected wireless access
points so you could position the wireless end upstairs.

I don't know the 3com unit but you might be able to improve the
performance with an external or high gain aerial positioned somewhere
more suitable (nearer the door?)

Mike

Mike J wrote:

[...]
>
> I stand corrected but I think Powerline networking is OK between rings
> inside ahouse as long as there are no RCDs present.
>

Yep, it will be.

It will also be OK if you have a split-load consumer unit, where one RCD
supplies a number of circuit breakers, as long as the individual circuits
you want to use for data don't have their own RCD's.

Chris

--
Remove prejudice to reply.

"Mike J" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
> Craig Fox wrote:
>
>>
>> There is another slight problem (whilst I'm here!) - the main PC is
>> situated in an upstairs extension, which has a double studded wall.
>> Because of this, the wireless connection to their laptop is very poor
>> when used in any other part of the house. As they can't move the main PC
>> to another room, can anyone suggest a set up that would overcome this?
>> Powerline networking isn't an option as the extension is on a separate
>> ring main.
>>
>> Thank you.
>>
>> Craig
>> (no expert)
>
> I stand corrected but I think Powerline networking is OK between rings
> inside ahouse as long as there are no RCDs present.

Thanks, Mike. My friends were told Powerline wouldn't work by one of the
staff at Maplins; I'll have to ask about the RCD situation.

>
> If you want to maintain the wireless to the laptop (for convenience) it is
> now possible (at a price) to get powerline connected wireless access
> points so you could position the wireless end upstairs.

I'm not sure what you mean here... is this something in addition to the two
plugs? Sorry, not that familiar with this stuff.


>
> I don't know the 3com unit but you might be able to improve the
> performance with an external or high gain aerial positioned somewhere more
> suitable (nearer the door?)
>
> Mike
>

The 3Com router doesn't have anywhere to connect an antenna, just four LAN
ports, I believe they tried that once :-)

Thanks again.
Craig

"Chris Whelan" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:gOcIi.9060$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Mike J wrote:
>
> [...]
>>
>> I stand corrected but I think Powerline networking is OK between rings
>> inside ahouse as long as there are no RCDs present.
>>
>
> Yep, it will be.
>
> It will also be OK if you have a split-load consumer unit, where one RCD
> supplies a number of circuit breakers, as long as the individual circuits
> you want to use for data don't have their own RCD's.
>
> Chris
>
> --
> Remove prejudice to reply.

Cheers, Chris.

Craig Fox wrote:

>
>>If you want to maintain the wireless to the laptop (for convenience) it is
>>now possible (at a price) to get powerline connected wireless access
>>points so you could position the wireless end upstairs.
>
>
> I'm not sure what you mean here... is this something in addition to the two
> plugs? Sorry, not that familiar with this stuff.
>


Do a search for NETGEAR WGXB102 (product code 466683) or the Devolo
1215 HomePlug Wireless Extender Starter Kit (code 620047)
on the PC World website (URL too long to post here)
Very expensive at £109/129 but hardly more than a pair of ordinary
ethernet homeplugs at £90ish

Mike

"Mike J" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
> Craig Fox wrote:
>
>>
>>>If you want to maintain the wireless to the laptop (for convenience) it
>>>is now possible (at a price) to get powerline connected wireless access
>>>points so you could position the wireless end upstairs.
>>
>>
>> I'm not sure what you mean here... is this something in addition to the
>> two plugs? Sorry, not that familiar with this stuff.
>>
>
>
> Do a search for NETGEAR WGXB102 (product code 466683) or the Devolo 1215
> HomePlug Wireless Extender Starter Kit (code 620047)
> on the PC World website (URL too long to post here)
> Very expensive at £109/129 but hardly more than a pair of ordinary
> ethernet homeplugs at £90ish
>
> Mike
>

Cheers for that, Mike.

(E-Mail Removed) declared for all the world to hear...
> My friends have a problem with their computer - it's an XP Pro machine. It's
> in a state to begin with, extremely slow to boot, every programme is slow to
> open...
>
> The problem is they have a 3Com OfficeConnect ADSL Wireless router
> connected. After a short time, the connection just drops - all the function
> lights on the router indicate that it's still operating, and the logs don't
> show any disconnects. When they reboot the PC, it connects to the internet
> at first, then eventually drops again - until they reboot it.
>
> Is this likely to be the PC or router at fault? Can anyone give me some
> advice how to fix this problem, please?
>
> There is another slight problem (whilst I'm here!) - the main PC is situated
> in an upstairs extension, which has a double studded wall. Because of this,
> the wireless connection to their laptop is very poor when used in any other
> part of the house. As they can't move the main PC to another room, can
> anyone suggest a set up that would overcome this? Powerline networking
> isn't an option as the extension is on a separate ring main.

Separate ring main = not a problem. Get the powerline plugs or run cat5.
--
Regards
Jon