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General Category => Geek / Games Discussion => Topic started by: KT 💣 KλBoƠM on November 21, 2023, 05:37:44 pm
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Dad needs a good wifi internet router.
He doesn't know anything about computers (as Dave knows) but keeps complaining that the range on his is so poor (close range homes and other homes having wifi routers as well doesn't help I assume?). I keep telling him this is not MY area of expertise but Dave's. So I decided to post this thread on here to get a better idea of what would be good for him.
Remember his budget isn't the best as he has medical bills to pay and debt from what was left to him when his brother passed away so please remember that quality is important but within a budget. He can't just full splurge on the best.
So looking at which have the best range despite proximity to other houses on a budget.
https://rank-it.ca/tech/wifi/wireless-router/
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Okay going to lay down but just looking at realistic ideas.
Preferably local.
Staples (https://www.staples.ca/collections/routers-modems-7202)
Best Buy (https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/collection/wireless-routers-on-sale/255106)
PC Outlet (http://www.pcoit.com/)
Orange PC (https://orangepc.com/)
Walmart (CA) (https://www.walmart.ca/en/browse/electronics/laptops-computers/networking/routers/10003_20038_30552_40179)
RONA (https://www.rona.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/RonaAjaxCatalogSearchView?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&searchKey=RonaEN&content=&keywords=Wifi+Router) (Was Lowes)
The Source (https://www.thesource.ca/en-ca/search?text=Wifi%2BRouter&q=Wifi%20Router&view=grid&page=0&sort=relevance)
Kijiji (https://www.kijiji.ca/b-windsor-area-on/wi-fi-router/k0l1700220)
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Sometimes just changing the routers broadcast frequency range can provide a huge boost in performance when you are with-in a highly congested wifi zone. I suggest that check out a google play store app called "WIFI Analyzer" to see if you have a bunch of overlapping frequencies in the area. Another tip is to locate the router in a more central location with-in the house. And away from other electrical appliances. Lastly, make sure your router and patch cable can match the modems ethernet port speed. If the modem has a 10/100/1000 port and the router is only 10/100, your router / patch cable will be the bottleneck.
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TP-Link makes some good routers, not extremely expensive. but there are also 2 parts to WIFI. router (send) and device (receive) upgrading one might help but you need to upgrade both ends to take full advantage. Sometimes location of the router is the prob too. but if it's been 4 years or more fore the router go newer. preferably WIFI 6 if he's doing fiber go a gigabit router on the LAN side like he said to prevent bottle necking it.
Maybe we can see what can be done after your re-inspection.
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Thanks for the advice guys! Yes Dave I will take you with me to my dad's after I miss the next re-inspection of my apt. I think having you there at my dad's will be an advantage as I don't know this stuff but it is nice that he has reconnected with me over something finally and I do feel useful finally which is nice.
And thank you both of you as he has it in his computer room which is the closest to the backyard. It is a small house and just below the back of the house the main floor has the TV. I believe he just has cable internet. Him and his girlfriend both use cell phones as well. They do not have anything else on wifi such as Alexa or the such. But not sure what neighbours have.
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As I was saying, you need to configure what channel your router is broadcasting on if you're in a congested wifi area. Simply put, if you have a lot of overlapping wifi signals, you will get limited speed or poor connection range. Usually both.
The best way to get started is with an app like this. WIFI Anilyzer (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=abdelrahman.wifianalyzerpro&hl=en_US&gl=US) This will let you see what channels have the least activity in the area and change them in your router control panel. I have a modern ASUS AX router. So, my control panel looks like the image below. This is the setting you change.
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As I was saying, you need to configure what channel your router is broadcasting on if you're in a congested wifi area. Simply put, if you have a lot of overlapping wifi signals, you will get limited speed or poor connection range. Usually both.
The best way to get started is with an app like this. WIFI Anilyzer (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=abdelrahman.wifianalyzerpro&hl=en_US&gl=US) This will let you see what channels have the least activity in the area and change them in your router control panel. I have a modern ASUS AX router. So, my control panel looks like the image below. This is the setting you change.
That is great! Thank you!
How expensive was your Wifi router?
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How expensive was your Wifi router?
Here is my current router. ASUS RT-AX86S (https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-AX5700-Gaming-Router-RT-AX86S/dp/B09GP8PCF6?th=1) And I paid about $150 USD
It's 2.5 Gb in and 1 Gb out on all 4 out ports. It's very easy to configure and setup. The software is very intuitive. Even WiFi 5 has impressive range and it's chock full of useful features to explore.
I can't configure WiFi 6 at the moment with my current setup as I need all 4 out ports and my current modem would require 2 port connectivity to reach 2.5Gb speeds. I would need a 2.5Gb or faster capable ethernet hub to reach this setup's full potential. But it's not a priority at the moment as only my Galaxy S21 is WiFi 6 ready.
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How expensive was your Wifi router?
Here is my current router. ASUS RT-AX86S (https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-AX5700-Gaming-Router-RT-AX86S/dp/B09GP8PCF6?th=1) And I paid about $150 USD
It's 2.5 Gb in and 1 Gb out on all 4 out ports. It's very easy to configure and setup. The software is very intuitive. Even WiFi 5 has impressive range and it's chock full of useful features to explore.
I can't configure WiFi 6 at the moment with my current setup as I need all 4 out ports and my current modem would require 2 port connectivity to reach 2.5Gb speeds. I would need a 2.5Gb or faster capable ethernet hub to reach this setup's full potential. But it's not a priority at the moment as only my Galaxy S21 is WiFi 6 ready.
Ya a lot more expensive in Canada
Asus RT-AX86S (https://www.amazon.ca/Asus-RT-AX86S-ASUS-RT-AX86S/dp/B09GP8PCF6/ref=sr_1_2?crid=DMO4JNUO2PLI&keywords=ASUS+RT-AX86S&qid=1701251054&s=electronics&sprefix=asus+rt-ax86s+%2Celectronics%2C143&sr=1-2) $299.99 CDN
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It's no wonder why you Canadians have a hard time making ends meet.
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Computer parts are not cheap over here, but KT's dad doesn't likely need a $300 dollar router. I might get 2 of these(one for me one for KT's dad), no WIFI-6 but there are hardly any devices that use it yet.
https://www.amazon.ca/Tenda-AC23-Smart-WiFi-Router/dp/B088K9HCJB/ref=sr_1_25?crid=U8TNBACLQ9G&keywords=router%2Bwifi&qid=1701823696&sprefix=router%2Caps%2C248&sr=8-25&th=1
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Computer parts are not cheap over here, but KT's dad doesn't likely need a $300 dollar router.
I've been noticing that trend. And it's not just PC parts that are overpriced. But I do understand. He just needs a good router and KT asked what I paid for mine. I tend to get things that can expand with my needs for years to come.
I might get 2 of these(one for me one for KT's dad), no WIFI-6 but there are hardly any devices that use it yet.
Hopefully it works well and lasts a few years. There are plenty of devices that can use WiFi 6 now. But it's all new stuff made in the past 2 years or so. Then again, we don't have much bleeding edge tech stuff right now, so there is that.
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I just worry that he will complain his internet range still sucks afterwards as I am not there to see what he means. He did try to show me but I did not see any significant drop when he went out of his bedroom into the hallway.
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As I shouldn't need to remind anyone. But typically, when you pay quality money for quality things, you usually get quality. Sadly, the same applies for budget things. So, keep that in mind.
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Probably better to see what he's working with and do some testing first.
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Probably better to see what he's working with and do some testing first.
Agreed. And please refer to this post when you do.
http://www.killerz.dns2go.com/smfbb20/index.php?topic=223.msg2784#msg2784
After the configuration changes I showed in that post, I nearly tripled my useable WiFi range.
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Probably better to see what he's working with and do some testing first.
Agreed. And please refer to this post when you do.
http://www.killerz.dns2go.com/smfbb20/index.php?topic=223.msg2784#msg2784
After the configuration changes I showed in that post, I nearly tripled my useable WiFi range.
Thank you so much!! I will have to show my dad! Thank you! I gave him the link to see this thread even though he does not have a membership. I would have to walk him through it if he wanted to register here to talk with us about his wifi concerns. :) He may just be fine with reading though. He is a lot like me where he isn't into chatting everywhere and having log ins for a lot of sights. But having access to the information is helpful. :) His IP will be a lot like Dave's (I don't know why mine does not show up local when I am with the same ISP as well).
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Eash router brand GUI will look a little different. But they all work and are laid out the same. By default, all routers are setup to transmit on the same channels. They are usually set to "Auto". When you use the WiFi analyzer, it will show you all WiFi signals in range of you and what SSID each one uses. That's basically the routers ID name. As example, mine is "TheSandbox_5G". The WiFi analyzer will show you that and what frequency you're using. It will recommend what channels to try to get out of the overlap. You may have to try a few channels until your frequency lands in a desired safe range. I hope all this helps.
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All I know is that his is an ASUS.
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If it's a more modern one, he had to register it and go through a setup process and change the password. If it's older, you only need to enter the default password. It's usually listed on the device somewhere.
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If it's a more modern one, he had to register it and go through a setup process and change the password. If it's older, you only need to enter the default password. It's usually listed on the device somewhere.
Ya he had forgotten the password but I had figured it out and got in there last time I was there but that was a few months ago and now I forget everything I saw.
He did just recently tell me that since my last help that he has had better signals. That made me not feel so bad for being too busy for him lately. :)
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Default one only works if you didn't change it, or reset the router to factory defaults.
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Default one only works if you didn't change it, or reset the router to factory defaults.
He bought some range expander that plugs into outlets
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Default one only works if you didn't change it, or reset the router to factory defaults.
That's true. But then again, most people don't change any settings in the router other than just the SSID and password for the wireless part.
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Default one only works if you didn't change it, or reset the router to factory defaults.
That's true. But then again, most people don't change any settings in the router other than just the SSID and password for the wireless part.
Ya and no one changed anything on my dad's. He definitely does not know how.
He did give me the image of his router today while I was out:
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Ah, ok. That's one of the last routers that were pretty much just plug and play. It's a bit more complicated with the newer models. Now, you must download an app to your phone and register the product and do the initial setup process. This includes changing the direct access username and password. As well as basic wireless internet setup too. Stuff you should do when you get a new wireless access point, but most people usually don't bother with.
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Ah, ok. That's one of the last routers that were pretty much just plug and play. It's a bit more complicated with the newer models. Now, you must download an app to your phone and register the product and do the initial setup process. This includes changing the direct access username and password. As well as basic wireless internet setup too. Stuff you should do when you get a new wireless access point, but most people usually don't bother with.
Ah my dad's just was online and not through the cell but he did change the password thankfully. I forget if I told him to do so or someone else.
So it should be fine? It is a good one?
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Yeah, some security measures it has are a little dated, but that router should be fine for his needs. I don't suspect that he should have any problems in his area other than overlapping signals.
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Yeah, some security measures it has are a little dated, but that router should be fine for his needs. I don't suspect that he should have any problems in his area other than overlapping signals.
:tup:
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So, did you manage to sort out the channel overlap?
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So, did you manage to sort out the channel overlap?
Been too busy with the cancer stuff