Home Network and Internet Broadband.... I messed up sure.

Johannen

Right guys,

So I have cocked up and I need solving.

I have been trying to set up a home network between my Windows 7 PC and my Mac OSX system. The PC is upstairs in my room with a wireless N PCI card (which doesn't have the greatest connection levels for some reason), and a Wireless N ADSL2+ Router.

The downstairs Mac has a BT HomeHub attached to it.

Ever since I got this new PC with the router, I connected it up as you would and thought my wired internet connection would just sail on through and both systems would work in harmony with no problems..... oh how wrong I was.

Now, the downstairs homehub is showing no broadband connection and doesn't want to connect, and it won't find this PC in it's Network folder in finder. I have changed some of the Network security settings in Win7 as I have found the help on websites, but to no avail.

I have a phone socket in my room and one downstairs and so I would like this to be my mode of connecting the two, instead of a switch or a plug socket home network.... I definitely do not want to mess with Cat5 cabling.

Anyone know what I can do, or should do?

Tlb : Dr

Win7 and OSX won't network, internet not working wired through two computers with two routers.


Edit: And oh, if I could be step-by-stepped through this I will be giving out e-cookies. :P

Johannen

Oh, and my Network Infrastructure on Win7 shows an Internet Gateway Device along with my Wireless N Router (TP-Link).

I'm also a little afraid I am not protected against outsiders using my wireless connection from the TP-Link modem too, seeing as I didn't see any outside security set up like WPA against this, and can't find where to set this up on the modem.

Skimblecat

Not familiar with either hub/router, but if they are both defaulting to the same IP address or are both trying to feed IP addresses to your systems using the same DHCP range, then they will conflict?

Spam

Right, first things first - do you have both the BT Homehub and your ADSL router plugged into your phoneline?

The BT homehub is basically a ADSL Wireless router with some extra gubbins (voip phone etc). You cannot have 2 seperate adsl routers trying to use the same phone line.

You can have them both working on the same network, but basically you would need to disable the adsl modem in one of them (prob your extra ADSL router) and just use it as a Wireless Access Point/Switch.

Johannen

Spam wrote: »

Right, first things first - do you have both the BT Homehub and your ADSL router plugged into your phoneline?

The BT homehub is basically a ADSL Wireless router with some extra gubbins (voip phone etc). You cannot have 2 seperate adsl routers trying to use the same phone line.

You can have them both working on the same network, but basically you would need to disable the adsl modem in one of them (prob your extra ADSL router) and just use it as a Wireless Access Point/Switch.

That's the thing, I would like to have them both wired, as this is obviously by far the faster option. When I try to use one as wireless it's connection level is terrible. They are both in the same phone line sure, there are two sockets in the house and one is on each.

Can anyone give me a better way to use the internet connection wired through a network with both?

Are network plug adapters any good? Would it be worth going that route and what ones are good if anyone knows them well?

Count Funkula

As people have said, you can't have both routers connected at the same time. Choose one and reset it/get it working with your ISP. Then follow these tips for increasing your wireless range/signal:

(From http://www.microsoft.com/athome/setup/wirelesstips.aspx)

1. Position your wireless router (or wireless access point) in a central location

When possible, place your wireless router in a central location in your home. If your wireless router is against an outside wall of your home, the signal will be weak on the other side of your home. Don't worry if you can't move your wireless router, because there are many other ways to improve your connection.

2. Move the router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects (such as metal file cabinets)

Metal, walls, and floors will interfere with your router's wireless signals. The closer your router is to these obstructions, the more severe the interference, and the weaker your connection will be.

3. Replace your router's antenna

The antennas supplied with your router are designed to be omni-directional, meaning they broadcast in all directions around the router. If your router is near an outside wall, half of the wireless signals will be sent outside your home, and much of your router's power will be wasted. Most routers don't allow you to increase the power output, but you can make better use of the power. Upgrade to a hi-gain antenna that focuses the wireless signals only one direction. You can aim the signal in the direction you need it most.

4. Replace your computer's wireless network adapter

Wireless network signals must be sent both to and from your computer. Sometimes, your router can broadcast strongly enough to reach your computer, but your computer can't send signals back to your router. To improve this, replace your laptop's PC card-based wireless network adapter with a USB network adapter that uses an external antenna. In particular, consider the Hawking Hi-Gain Wireless USB network adapter, which adds an external, hi-gain antenna to your computer and can significantly improve your range.

Laptops with built-in wireless typically have excellent antennas and don't need to have their network adapters upgraded.

5. Add a wireless repeater

Wireless repeaters extend your wireless network range without requiring you to add any wiring. Just place the wireless repeater halfway between your wireless access point and your computer, and you'll get an instant boost to your wireless signal strength. Check out the wireless repeaters from ViewSonic, D-Link, Linksys, and Buffalo Technology.

6. Change your wireless channel

Wireless routers can broadcast on several different channels, similar to the way radio stations use different channels. In the United States and Canada, these channels are 1, 6, and 11. Just like you'll sometimes hear interference on one radio station while another is perfectly clear, sometimes one wireless channel is clearer than others. Try changing your wireless router's channel through your router's configuration page to see if your signal strength improves. You don't need to change your computer's configuration, because it'll automatically detect the new channel.

7. Reduce wireless interference

If you have cordless phones or other wireless electronics in your home, your computer might not be able to "hear" your router over the noise from the other wireless devices. To quiet the noise, avoid wireless electronics that use the 2.4GHz frequency. Instead, look for cordless phones that use the 5.8GHz or 900MHz frequencies.

8. Update your firmware or your network adapter driver

Router manufacturers regularly make free improvements to their routers. Sometimes, these improvements increase performance. To get the latest firmware updates for your router, visit your router manufacturer's Web site.

9. Pick equipment from a single vendor

While a Linksys router will work with a D-Link network adapter, you often get better performance if you pick a router and network adapter from the same vendor. Some vendors offer a performance boost of up to twice the performance when you choose their hardware: Linksys has the SpeedBooster technology, and D-Link has the 108G enhancement.

10. Upgrade 802.11b devices to 802.11g

802.11b is the most common type of wireless network, but 802.11g is about five times faster. 802.11g is backward-compatible with 802.11b, so you can still use any 802.11b equipment that you have. If you're using 802.11b and you're unhappy with the performance, consider replacing your router and network adapters with 802.11g-compatible equipment. If you're buying new equipment, definitely choose 802.11g.

Wireless networks never reach the theoretical bandwidth limits. 802.11b networks typically get 2-5Mbps. 802.11g is usually in the 13-23Mbps range. Belkin's Pre-N equipment has been measured at 37-42Mbps.

Johannen

The wireless network adapter in the PC is new, it's a wireless N one, along with all my devices being 802.11g

The equipment isn't from a single vendor, but honestly, the wireless in my house has always been awful. Even with the homehub, or any wireless router, coming from the main phoneline port in my house, all the other equipment still gets very poor reception.

It's also that the house is large and the MAC is in the back room and my PC is in my bedroom, at opposite ends of the house. It is a good 30+ feet straight from one to the other (and that's if there were no walls or floors). They are on the same mains line though, so a network plug adapter set up would probably be better for me.

I honestly don't think wireless will work for me, and I have had enough of the problems wireless has brought me in the past, and the endless conversations I have had with BT support and wireless support lines.

I want wired now, however I get it. I want to be able to have 2 computers in one house both on the internet, wired, at the same time. It's the fastes way and the best for everyone using the internet.

If I could afford to get Cat6 cabling run through the house I would do it, but I am not the house owner and don't have the money so there it is.

I went for network plugs because I haven't got the cabling for a switch obviously, and I have seen HomePNA is awful. When I move out and get my own place I would opt for Cat6, but it'll have to do. I just hope there's not any interference on the line for anyone with the network plugs.