WiFi help for an older PC... | GTAMotorcycle.com

WiFi help for an older PC...

Zoodles95

Zoodles95

Well-known member
Site Supporter
I had the Cogeco tech come out today. Now on the "5G" WiFi I can get about 140MB/Sec or so and on the "regular" WiFi it comes out to about 78 MB/sec. These are numbers on my cell phone with the data turned off. On the Switch the "5G" WiFi gives me about 40 to 48 MB/sec.

The PC in our "office" only sees the regular WiFi and not the "5G" version even though my cell phone can see both of the WiFi we have coming out of our modem no problem. On the regular WiFi the PC does see it gets about 28 MB/sec.

I figure that the issue is probably that the built in WiFi in the PC is older tech. So... Is there a USB based adaptor I can plug into the PC which the PC will recognize instead of the built in one which will improve the performance of the WiFi in the PC?

Would something like this work?

Or this?

Thanks in advance for any advice or input. :)
 
Zoodles95 said:
I figure that the issue is probably that the built in WiFi in the PC is older tech.
Click to expand...

Perhaps.

Something to check before you go out and buy new HW:

Go to the advanced tab in your network adapter properties and look for a property called "Band", there should be three options: "Auto", "2.4 Ghz" and "5 Ghz". If the property is set to "Auto" or "2.4 Ghz", try forcing it to "5 Ghz" and seeing if your card picks up the 5Ghz SSID on reboot.

Also, how far away is your PC from the Wifi access point? 5 Ghz doesn't go through walls and floors as easily as 2.4 Ghz, so try moving your PC or Wifi Access Point closer to each other to see if the PC will pick up the 5 Ghz network. Maybe your PC's wifi card has a weak antenna.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nfq
Both will work however USB2.0 spec will max out at 60MB/s (Megabytes per second) which is 480mbps (megabits per second). To get the numbers that you see on your cellphone, the adapter must be USB 3.0 and your computer must have usb 3.0. Also, location matters too. If you have your computer tucked in a cabinet and the usb wifi adapter is surrounded by cables at the back up against a wall, that will affect your signal too.

While i've never heard of axGear as a manufacturer, I would probably wait for black friday and get something from a better brand thats on sale. USB 3.0, Dual or Tri band AC, external antenna from Linksys, Dlink, Netgear, Asus or TPLink.
 
Thanks for the replies. FWIW, when Cogeco first did the install last September they tucked the router/modem into our basement cabinet. When I visited my buddy in Ottawa I saw he was using the same hardware from Rogers and he was going on about how his Internet was affected by where his modem was etc.

So, my first move was to get the modem out of the cabinet. That helped. Now it is across the room in the "man cave" and with it there now the PC in the office consistently gets 4 bars; whereas it used to get 2 or 3.

Cogeco put an extender upstairs which has helped the PC and the mini Tivo from losing signal.

I will try the network settings on the computer. Failing that I will get a USB 3.0 spec with dual or tri band. I am pretty sure there are a couple of USB 3.0 inputs on the PC.

Will look at the settings on the PC tomorrow and report back. I am always on my laptop; the PC is my wife's baby.
 
Better than a simple extender (which it sounds like you have) is a mesh WiFi system. I had similar issues to you, great speed near the WiFi router and bad drop offs in the rest of the house. Installed a Costco Orbi system and it’s been totally solid everywhere now.
 
Plenty of good advice on the posts here. Ultimately the solution depends on your budget. The $$$ "mesh" will give the best result. Less expensive will be the range extender and less costly than even that will be a USB wifi aerial.
 
Whatever you buy, make sure you can return it if not satisfied. For consumer grade equipment, my personal preference is either Asus or Netgear.
 
If you can easily relocate the router (I'm assuming it's cable, so it can plug into any cable outlet), try moving it out of the basement to the main floor. If not, move the PC temporarily into the basement to see if there's an improvement. This will tell you whether it's a hardware limitation or something else.
 
  • Like
Reactions: J_F
FWIW, I find 2.4 to be a better solution for most things in my house. While 5Ghz is theoretically faster, it drops off like a rock and is barely functional in some places in the house. The office is ~25' from main router with two stud walls between and 2.4 is faster and more stable for me.
 
Last edited:
GreyGhost said:
FWIW, I find 2.4 to be a better solution for most things in my house. While 5Ghz is theoretically faster, it drops off like a rock and is barely functional in some places in the house. The office is ~25' from main router with two walls between and 2.4 is faster and more stable for me.
Click to expand...
www.centurylink.com

2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz WiFi

Learn about when to use 2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz WiFi with CenturyLink. The difference between these frequencies can affect your speed.
www.centurylink.com www.centurylink.com
 
Chris-CJ said:
www.centurylink.com

2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz WiFi

Learn about when to use 2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz WiFi with CenturyLink. The difference between these frequencies can affect your speed.
www.centurylink.com www.centurylink.com
Click to expand...
I don't care about theoretical range. In my real application, with obstructions/interference, 5 GHz works better in rooms directly adjacent to the router and 2.4 Ghz works better for me everywhere else.
 
Relax said:
If you can easily relocate the router (I'm assuming it's cable, so it can plug into any cable outlet), try moving it out of the basement to the main floor. If not, move the PC temporarily into the basement to see if there's an improvement. This will tell you whether it's a hardware limitation or something else.
Click to expand...

this is my suggestion as well
maybe instead of throwing money at the problem
get the desktop and the router closer to each other
see if wifi signal improves

I only use 5ghz on things that are close to the router
in another room I use 2.4
 
100' Cat6 cable would solve your problem if the Cogeco has a port open. I prefer wired for the security and speed.
 
Baggsy said:
100' Cat6 cable would solve your problem if the Cogeco has a port open. I prefer wired for the security and speed.
Click to expand...
My house had some ethernet run but they were lazy and didnt install a patch panel so there is just an unlabelled bundle of cable beside the electrical panel. I contemplated finishing it but I could implement what I needed for wireless with parts I already had.
 
GreyGhost said:
My house had some ethernet run but they were lazy and didnt install a patch panel so there is just an unlabelled bundle of cable beside the electrical panel. I contemplated finishing it but I could implement what I needed for wireless with parts I already had.
Click to expand...
Might have just had a switch that they took with them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nfq
Something like this is what I have but I swear I paid a lot less than this.

NETGEAR Orbi Tri-band Whole Home Mesh WiFi System with 3Gbps Speed (RBK50) – Router & Extender replacement covers up to 5,000 sq. ft., 2-pack includes 1 router & 1 satellite: Amazon.ca: Computers & Tablets

NETGEAR Orbi Tri-band Whole Home Mesh WiFi System with 3Gbps Speed (RBK50) – Router & Extender replacement covers up to 5,000 sq. ft., 2-pack includes 1 router & 1 satellite: Amazon.ca: Computers & Tablets
www.amazon.ca
 
  • Like
Reactions: J_F
reading again from the beginning
sounds like OP is using the ISP provided modem/router combination?

if that's true
I'd recommend getting your own router - the modem/router combos usually have terrible wireless
ethernet the modem to your own router that you can place anywhere

I have an Asus router that has been fantastic
stress testing supports 5 wireless clients for streaming HD video
over ethernet it is true gigabit speed

and the range is crazy
I can be driving home and the phone connects from 2 blocks away
 
J_F said:
reading again from the beginning
sounds like OP is using the ISP provided modem/router combination?

if that's true
I'd recommend getting your own router - the modem/router combos usually have terrible wireless
ethernet the modem to your own router that you can place anywhere

I have an Asus router that has been fantastic
stress testing supports 5 wireless clients for streaming HD video
over ethernet it is true gigabit speed

and the range is crazy
I can be driving home and the phone connects from 2 blocks away
Click to expand...

My Asus routers let me down whenever I was somewhere in the house away from the main unit. I bought them on reviews but the speed and connections always dropped off quickly with distance. I spent a pretty penny on the things too. The Orbi units were super easy to set up and blazing fast everywhere. I’m on Zoom all the time at the same time my wife is doing virtual machine and software development work with some heavy database usage too or we are streaming video and working and there’s no speed issues.

My issue could be interference from neighbours or from house construction too though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom