Home WiFi (1 Viewer)

[bro1ncos]

We have an old desktop downstairs that was only being used as a way to provide WiFi for our home network. Rarely gets used as a computer since all of us have laptop/tablets/phones we use for Internet/email/school work/etc. 

The desktop died earlier this week so we haven't had WiFi all week and kids are going nuts and we are using up phone data quickly. 

What are my options for reestablishing our network? Should I just buy a cheap desktop? Other options? 

 

[Osaurus]

What about a router?

 

[bro1ncos]

We have a router that works fine. 

 

[NutterButter]

What about a router?

Yeah, to do some sweet woodworking.  Its a must.

 

[Osaurus]

We have a router that works fine. 

It doesn't have wifi?

 

[The Commish]

We have a router that works fine. 

but it doesn't have wireless connections?  Your cheapest alternative is to buy a wireless hotspot that wires directly to your router.  I would go with a wireless router though.

 

[bro1ncos]

I thought I needed a computer connected to the router? 

Currently have a cable modem and wireless router connected to old desktop. 

 

[Insein]

I thought I needed a computer connected to the router? 

Currently have a cable modem and wireless router connected to old desktop. 

Nope. The router connected to the modem is what is creating the network. A computer just allows you to see what the router is doing.

 

[bro1ncos]

Current/old configuration:

Comcast coming into cable modem, connected to router via ethernet wire then another ethernet wire connected to old desktop. 

 

[Insein]

Current/old configuration:

Comcast coming into cable modem, connected to router via ethernet wire then another ethernet wire connected to old desktop. 

You can still keep that. New computer, laptop, phone, iPad, kindle, etc will find the network if you search for it.

 

[NutterButter]

With this router, you'll be able to build a real nice cabinet for your new desktop.   

 

[bro1ncos]

I'm seeing our two WiFi signals (one adults and one for kids/guests) but when you connect to WiFi it is saying limited connection. When I brought laptop down to check router it is saying invalid ip configuration.

After researching, I replaced network card in old desktop, but still getting same error. 

 

[James Daulton]

Make sure to always wear safety goggles and gloves when using the router. 

 

[bro1ncos]

Make sure to always wear safety goggles and gloves when using the router. 

Steel fingered gloves or will latex do? 

 

[heckmanm]

You don't need the old desktop computer hooked up at all, I wouldn't think 

 

[James Daulton]

Steel fingered gloves or will latex do? 

I prefer lambskin for more sensitivity. 

 

[James Daulton]

You don't need the old desktop computer hooked up at all, I wouldn't think 

On a serious note, Cable cable into modem, modem into router, viola wifi.  

 

[DaVinci]

Dust off the AOL cd and load it on one of the laptops.

 

[heckmanm]

On a serious note, Cable cable into modem, modem into router, viola wifi.  

Not a network guy but could having the dead pc connected make things worse?

 

[bro1ncos]

On a serious note, Cable cable into modem, modem into router, viola wifi.  

OK. This is making it sound as if my modem and/or router us bad.?

 

[Rustoleum]

1. Unplug the router and the modem.

2.restart the modem, wait a couple minutes, then restart the router.

3. See if the wifi works again.

4. If not, unplug the patch cord from the router to the modem. Plug your laptop straight into the modem. If you don't get internet from there, your problem is with the modem or your cable provider (or a bad patch cable - try a different cable just in case). There should be indicator lights on your modem that tell you if you are getting internet to the modem.

 

[bro1ncos]

1. Unplug the router and the modem.

2.restart the modem, wait a couple minutes, then restart the router.

3. See if the wifi works again.

4. If not, unplug the patch cord from the router to the modem. Plug your laptop straight into the modem. If you don't get internet from there, your problem is with the modem or your cable provider (or a bad patch cable - try a different cable just in case). There should be indicator lights on your modem that tell you if you are getting internet to the modem.

Did this multiple times over the last week. All lights on front of modem and router seem fine and same as before problems started. 

 

[captain_amazing]

Get a new desktop.  I'll send you my address to send it to me for configuration.  I'll get you 1Qbps speed plus free porn.

 

[captain_amazing]

Here are the troubleshooting steps:

1. Ensure all of your physical connections are secured.  Even if you think they are, try giving them a firm push into their sockets.  Ensure the data cable going from the modem into the router are firmly into the ports of both devices.  After doing so, wait a few minutes and check to see if you have internet connectivity again.

2.  If step 1 doesn't work, and you've power cycled the devices as you've mentioned above, then unplug the data cable from your router and plug it directly into your laptop.  So, you'll have the data cable connected from the modem directly into your router.  Wait about 60 seconds and then see if you have internet access (go to google).  If that works, try a website you haven't been to for awhile and ensure that works as well.  If that does not work, your issue is with the modem and you'll need to contact your ISP, who will help you further.

3. If you do have internet connectivity directly connected to your modem in step 2, then the issue is likely with your router and is likely the result of a misconfiguration which only became apparent when your desktop died (which is odd, and I'd have to think further as to why that'd cause that).  If you know your router's IP address, you'll need to access your router by entering the IP address into your web browser's address bar (e.g. http://192.168.0.254).  That will bring you to the router's configuration GUI, where can check the settings and confirm what's going on. 

I can give you more guidance once you've tried these steps.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Here are the troubleshooting steps:

1. Ensure all of your physical connections are secured.  Even if you think they are, try giving them a firm push into their sockets.  Ensure the data cable going from the modem into the router are firmly into the ports of both devices.  After doing so, wait a few minutes and check to see if you have internet connectivity again.

2.  If step 1 doesn't work, and you've power cycled the devices as you've mentioned above, then unplug the data cable from your router and plug it directly into your laptop.  So, you'll have the data cable connected from the modem directly into your router.  Wait about 60 seconds and then see if you have internet access (go to google).  If that works, try a website you haven't been to for awhile and ensure that works as well.  If that does not work, your issue is with the modem and you'll need to contact your ISP, who will help you further.

3. If you do have internet connectivity directly connected to your modem in step 2, then the issue is likely with your router and is likely the result of a misconfiguration which only became apparent when your desktop died (which is odd, and I'd have to think further as to why that'd cause that).  If you know your router's IP address, you'll need to access your router by entering the IP address into your web browser's address bar (e.g. http://192.168.0.254).  That will bring you to the router's configuration GUI, where can check the settings and confirm what's going on. 

I can give you more guidance once you've tried these steps.

In bolded line don't you mean you'll have the cable directly from your modem to the laptop, not the router?

 

[captain_amazing]

In bolded line don't you mean you'll have the cable directly from your modem to the laptop, not the router?

Yes, that was a typo.  

 

[trogg78]

Have your grandson hook it up for you.

 

[bro1ncos]

Have your grandson hook it up for you.

Not that old yet and my son is a bigger idiot than me . 

 

[EYLive]

Current/old configuration:

Comcast coming into cable modem, connected to router via ethernet wire then another ethernet wire connected to old desktop. 

Does Comcast have a modem box that doubles as a wifi router? Spectrum/TimeWarner issues these and I don't need both.

 

[bro1ncos]

Currently have my own modem and router.  Researching buying a combo now. 

 

[Insein]

Currently have my own modem and router.  Researching buying a combo now. 

You could for convenience. The normal downside is loss of bandwidth but you don't sound like someone that's gaming or streaming too many things. So an all in one is a good idea.

Here's some examples at a decent price. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_1_12?k=router+modem+combo&sprefix=router+modem

 

[bro1ncos]

You could for convenience. The normal downside is loss of bandwidth but you don't sound like someone that's gaming or streaming too many things. So an all in one is a good idea.

Here's some examples at a decent price. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=is_s_ss_i_1_12?k=router+modem+combo&sprefix=router+modem

Thanks. Not big online gamer, but son does streaming (you tube) .  No issues with streaming with our current Motorola modem at least until this problem started. 

 

[belljr]

Does Comcast have a modem box that doubles as a wifi router? Spectrum/TimeWarner issues these and I don't need both.

Yes but it sucks as wifi

 

[EYLive]

Yes but it sucks as wifi

Works great for me. 80mb down/7.5mb up in a recent test, and I have the cheapest package they offer.

 

[belljr]

Works great for me. 80mb down/7.5mb up in a recent test, and I have the cheapest package they offer.

Doesn't reach my 2nd floor. I turned off the router portion and use my nighthawk

 

[Mr. Ected]

Is your Comcast a regular or Xfinity?

 

[belljr]

Is your Comcast a regular or Xfinity?

Me? I have an X1. Had it for awhile. It doesn't get the same range as my external router

 

[Mister CIA]

Send me $50 to cover shipping charges and I'll send you my best Packard-Bell.

 

[Mister CIA]

With this router, you'll be able to build a real nice cabinet for your new desktop.   

Imagine reading this sentence 30 years ago.

 

[NutterButter]

Not that old yet and my son is a bigger idiot than me . 

Well done

 

[Mr. Ected]

Is your Comcast a regular or Xfinity?

Me? I have an X1. Had it for awhile. It doesn't get the same range as my external router

Me too. I recently changed from FiOS to X1, and noticed the range wasn't as good as the FiOS router (it's located on first floor on one side of the house, We have some trouble upstairs on the other side) I bought an extender which works, except you have to switch WiFi networks when you use the extender. Might look at a separate, more powerful router.

 

[VA703]

Me too. I recently changed from FiOS to X1, and noticed the range wasn't as good as the FiOS router (it's located on first floor on one side of the house, We have some trouble upstairs on the other side) I bought an extender which works, except you have to switch WiFi networks when you use the extender. Might look at a separate, more powerful router.

have you tried setting up the 5ghz wifi with the X1?

 

[Mr. Ected]

Me too. I recently changed from FiOS to X1, and noticed the range wasn't as good as the FiOS router (it's located on first floor on one side of the house, We have some trouble upstairs on the other side) I bought an extender which works, except you have to switch WiFi networks when you use the extender. Might look at a separate, more powerful router.

have you tried setting up the 5ghz wifi with the X1?

Yes, it still doesn't work all the way (and my house isn't that big).

 

[VA703]

Yes, it still doesn't work all the way (and my house isn't that big).

there will be some good routers going on sale for blackfriday.

I notice in my house there is some metal beam or something separating the floors so the basement and upstairs are deadzones. ive tried the signal repeaters too. recently upgraded my router and modem & have noticed significant boosts in signal strength

I have x1 also and bought a used modem off amazon for $40. im no longer renting theirs for $10 a month and gained speeds and reliability (uptime).

 

[Mr. Ected]

Yes, it still doesn't work all the way (and my house isn't that big).

there will be some good routers going on sale for blackfriday.

I notice in my house there is some metal beam or something separating the floors so the basement and upstairs are deadzones. ive tried the signal repeaters too. recently upgraded my router and modem & have noticed significant boosts in signal strength

I have x1 also and bought a used modem off amazon for $40. im no longer renting theirs for $10 a month and gained speeds and reliability (uptime).

I have this one (I think, it's hidden in a corner, so I need to double check the model). If you replace this, what do you do for the cable modem?

 

[belljr]

If you just get a router.   Make sure you set the X1 up as passive.  You used to have to call but I think you can manually do it now.   When I got the X1 modem/router it works well just not great range, and the other thing I did not like on it was the options were not very customizable. Like setting Static IP, opening ports setting priorities etc

 

[VA703]

I got this one or a similar model, gotta double check

https://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-SURFboard-SB6183-DOCSIS-Cable/dp/B00MA5U1FW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1479219040&sr=8-5&keywords=arris+surfboard+docsis

used $40 shipped

that's a modem only.   Pays for itself in 4 months- no more renting their equipment

I already had this router

cable goes from wall(coax) --> to $40 arris modem --> to router

 

[Mr. Ected]

I got this one or a similar model, gotta double check

https://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-SURFboard-SB6183-DOCSIS-Cable/dp/B00MA5U1FW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1479219040&sr=8-5&keywords=arris+surfboard+docsis

used $40 shipped

that's a modem only.   Pays for itself in 4 months- no more renting their equipment

I already had this router

cable goes from wall(coax) --> to $40 arris modem --> to router

Thanks!

I may not do this right away. I will keep an eye out on Black Friday.

When I signed up this summer, the guy said that X1 is moving up to 1G internet soon. Would it make sense to get the 1.4 Gbps modem instead of the 686?

 

[Hawks64]

Amazon has the Luma mesh router on sale today for 100 bucks. A full mesh wifi router means that you can just add additional Luma's in areas that don't have good coverage and it just acts like one big network. You move from one to the other without issues. You plug the first into your modem and then if you need more coverage you can add more just by plugging them into power.

ETA corrected, it should be plugged into the modem.

 

[VA703]

Thanks!

I may not do this right away. I will keep an eye out on Black Friday.

When I signed up this summer, the guy said that X1 is moving up to 1G internet soon. Would it make sense to get the 1.4 Gbps modem instead of the 686?

are they converting to fiber?