Basic Internet Connectivity And Modem Help

[rhino31]

Hi all, and thanks in advance for the help.  I just had the comcast techs out to install my internet service, and it's been a bit of a show thus far.  the techs were fine, so no issue there, however, they left without my system being up.  initially I had a motorola surfboard 5100 modem and a netgear WNR1000 wireless router.  the techs intiially couldn't get the modem activated, but it finally did.  after that the netgear and the modem wouldn't talk.  tried rebooting, matching mac addresses, everything, and they couldn't get it. they told me it was modt likely a problem with the modem.   As they were there for over 3 hours and the kids were off to bed, I told them that since the hard wire from the modem to one of my computer was working I would try to get the connection between the netgear and the motoup.  they left, and I went to work.  amazingly I ended up getting them to talk, but the download speed on a wireless connection was below 1mb.   The next day I went and purchased a Motorola SBG6580 from Staples.  Came home, plugged it inm and bam I was good to go.  had 14+mb download on the wireless, and over 20 hardwired.  then yetanother problem emerged.  so long as I am within 30' on the first floor of my home I am fine, however, as soon as I start going upstairs, or anywhere other than the two rooms adjacent to the router, the connection speed drops below.01mps, yes .01.  It will see the router, but has next to no download speed, and actually drops connection.  the range I'm experiencing is horrendous. any suggestions?

[evil_hero]

Check your wireless channels, you and your neighbors are probably competing for the channel.

I would do some testing, start with 1-then-6-then-11 

OR you can download Netstumbler, and scan your area. You will see all the access points, and what channels they are on, pick one that isn't congested.

Basic rule of thumb is you want to try and be 5 channels apart from the next strongest signal in your area, to avoid overlap. 

That modem also does 5ghz wireless, if all your devices support 5ghz wireless you can look into going to those channels, they are typically lest congested. 

I had the sbg6580 and the range isn't that great, but you should be getting better than that. 

Good luck

[rhino31]

changed the channel, and disabled the firewall.......... makde it a little better, but still getting low and inconsistent readings up stairs.  even seening normal upload speeds, with low download.  also downloaded net stumber, and my SNR was 31.   any additional thoughts?

[SIGsauerdude]

About 4-5 days ago my download capability became so poor that downloading a 9.56mb file took over 5 minutes using the same Motorola you have.

It had worked flawlessly before this happended. I could get 4gb worth of files in under 10 mintues give or take while playing XBOX and having another laptop surfing the net. I certainly hope I do not have to invest in another gateway etc.

I'm pretty knowledgable about this stuff, but this is driving me crazy. There is a CC person coming out next Monday so they should be able to give me an answer. I will post the results and hopefully have information for your benefit.

p.s. I read comments about poor customer service on many threads. Calling to order a new service is not the best IMO but, the tech folks really do help out the best they can with issues regarding existing service.

peace

[i-am-nerdburg]

Cable nerds hate gateway devices. I'd suggest you call 800-363-2416 (Comcast's gateway support team) and have them place the gateway into bridge mode. Bridge mode deactivates the router and wireless functions on the gateway turning it into a plain old cable modem.

[Edit: I think you can acutlly put that into bridge mode yourself w/o calling Comcast]

[hyatis]

remember every home is different, there are different issues that can cause wireless problems.

In my house we always had problems upstairs, with router in downstairs living room, moved it upstairs and now we have problems downstairs. ran ethernet after that. 

different homes, different building materials.

or wireless interfernce.

in my old house the wireless would always drop out, finally figured it out it was when we used the garage door opener, dead zone for wireless for around 5 min. bought a new garage door, never had problems again. This was back in the day though with a old wireless g linksys.

just something else to think about

[SIGsauerdude]

Well, I cancelled the appointment because I was able to resolve the issue.

In my router settings under "wireless" I turned 'WMM" off and voila, back to normal.