Now I need help with my wifi signal strength on my new PC

[vesh1717]

A few of you have been more than helpful in deciding on a new PC. Anyway, the choice was made and I set everything up today. I am having a HUGE issue getting a WIFI signal. My previous PC was set-up via wired. I will do my best to explain the situation.

The PC is brand new, and has an pci network card (N speed)
The router I have is Netgear N600 dual band router.

The router is downstairs, and the PC is downstairs as well. Probably about 15 feet apart, with 2 walls to go through, but with open doors (if that helps)

I am getting no signal at times, and "poor" at others. The weird thing is that upstairs with my laptop, I am getting a "good" signal. And I brought the laptop downstairs to the EXACT spot the PC is, and I was getting an "excellent" signal. My PS3 also connects without issue, and it is further away than where the PC is.

So I only have 2 thoughts. PS3 is "G", and my laptop is older and is also "G". The new PC is "N", but should still support "G". But maybe I need to tweak some settings in my router. I looked at all the settings though, and everything looks set-up correctly to support speeds up to 300. The only other option is that I got a faulty network card... I don't have any other thoughts.

What is going on here? Am i missing something completely obvious?

[wilsonlam97]

Either there is something really wrong with your PC or the router has a extremely directional antenna. Wifi signals tend to go up (because of antenna design) so that could be an explanation.

I'd say its the fault of your PC. The antenna in your PC may not be plugged in properly or a exposed connection of the antenna is touching the case.

[Mark77]

What's your new PC?

Quite frankly, PCI is rather 'broken' on many of the Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge based boards (and many AMD based boards as well), especially if they use the Asmedia ASM1083 PCIe to PCI bridge. This might be the cause of some of your problems.

[vesh1717]

What's your new PC?

Quite frankly, PCI is rather 'broken' on many of the Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge based boards (and many AMD based boards as well), especially if they use the Asmedia ASM1083 PCIe to PCI bridge. This might be the cause of some of your problems.

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/gateway-gateway-2nd-gen-intel-core-i5-2320-desktop-computer-dx4860-ef23p-dx4860-ef23p/10207077.aspx?path=260d43768a2410c916a0502daa92f6a ben02

Not sure what PCI it is though as it doesn't say. I guess I will return it today and see what they say.

[Mark77]

Yeah that's Sandy Bridge all right... So the problem I speak of could be afflicting a PCI card in that machine. I'd suggest that you try a PCI-E Wi-Fi card instead.

[lostintransit]

i have to ask, did the computer come with a wifi antenna to attach to the back of the desktop and is it attached?


A few of you have been more than helpful in deciding on a new PC. Anyway, the choice was made and I set everything up today. I am having a HUGE issue getting a WIFI signal. My previous PC was set-up via wired. I will do my best to explain the situation.

The PC is brand new, and has an pci network card (N speed)
The router I have is Netgear N600 dual band router.

The router is downstairs, and the PC is downstairs as well. Probably about 15 feet apart, with 2 walls to go through, but with open doors (if that helps)

I am getting no signal at times, and "poor" at others. The weird thing is that upstairs with my laptop, I am getting a "good" signal. And I brought the laptop downstairs to the EXACT spot the PC is, and I was getting an "excellent" signal. My PS3 also connects without issue, and it is further away than where the PC is.

So I only have 2 thoughts. PS3 is "G", and my laptop is older and is also "G". The new PC is "N", but should still support "G". But maybe I need to tweak some settings in my router. I looked at all the settings though, and everything looks set-up correctly to support speeds up to 300. The only other option is that I got a faulty network card... I don't have any other thoughts.

What is going on here? Am i missing something completely obvious?

[vesh1717]

i have to ask, did the computer come with a wifi antenna to attach to the back of the desktop and is it attached?

No. I'll go get one from the store today. That is def the issue!

[lostintransit]

yeah, its probably in the packaging, stuck to some foam :)


No. I'll go get one from the store today. That is def the issue!

[vesh1717]

yeah, its probably in the packaging, stuck to some foam :)

Ya, it's in there. lol Hey, I have never had a desktop with WIFI so I didn't know one was needed. Thank-you all!

[xalex0]

It's a PCI-E card, BTW.