Wireless Network Connectivity Probs (USR 8011)

[Skoodog]

I'm having some difficulties with a DSL wireless network I set up in my apartment for me and my two roommates. It's been working great for about a month now, but all of the sudden they are getting very poor connection quality, having it drop to zero frequently. (i'm hooked in directly so my internet is fine). They are having poor connection quality and sometimes it will drop altogether. They're blaming it on the new z640 speaker system I bought which is near (12" away) the router. I know this is very unlikely as the speakers are magnetically shielded, but it's like explaining parabolic functions to Chris Burke. I have a U.S. Robotics Wireless Router Model 8011. My roomies have a USR and D-Link wireless cards in laptops. I expect I would get better results from AT than USR's support so hopefully someone who is way smarter than me has a good idea about what my problem could be.

Thanks!

 

[gsaldivar]

Have you tried relocating the router away from your other equipment? It might be as simple as mounting it high up on a wall, away from wires running along your floor, and the AC wires in your wall.

Since the 8011 has a removable antenna (RP-SMA jack), you can also look into purchasing a better one or getting an extension to the one you already have.

(example)

 

[Skoodog]

Would reception be affected all of the sudden like that? I mean, it was working perfectly fine for a month - no problems with signal quality. I've tested distance as a factor too, it has problems even if the laptop is right next to it.

I'll try relocating it and see what happens.

 

[Skoodog]

I have a cordless phone base near the router as well...would that have any effect on it? The phone however has been there about as long as the router though...