Network adapter / Router advice needed please.

[Guest seanseany]

I'm going to be setting up an old laptop as a HTPC , Its an ASUS K52F. Win 7x64. ( Tried Win 8 as well but same issues as below).

I seem to be having issues with connecting to the web. The connection is very intermittent. Signal quality and speed fluctuates wildly.

The connection drops completely and the only thing that seems to sort it out is by physically turning my wifi off/on on my laptop. This happens using a VPN and without a VPN running. Also if its secured via WPA2 or an open connection. It could be OK for a day or I have to reset it hourly, It varies.

I have tried this Troubleshooter but with no luck. So I'm thinking its an actual issue with the Network Adapter itself.

Are the plug n play USB Wireless Network Adapters any good , Or am I best just replacing the original inside my laptop ? Looks are not important as the laptop will be hidden in my TV cabinet.

The Router I am using is a NetGear DGN1000 and my Tablet and Phone ( both Android) connects just fine to it and I have no issues at all with either, but I would like to upgrade it and have all my devices communicating with each other. Any suggestions for a decent Router please ? Around the ?100.00 mark would be great.Oh , I have a wireless printer as well.

Any advice would be great on a good pair of devices to buy that would work well together.Custom firmware for the router would be a bonus but not vital.

Thanks.

[sc302 Veteran]

The usb adapters are quite good. I have had issues with a netgear router and did not go back to them, I am using a linksys as my primary router and have little to no drop issues. There is an issue with the hp wireless printers and the netgear routers causing the need to constantly reboot the router to get connectivity back, but it does not seem like you are having that issue with your netgear (I had this with mine, that was just one issue which I fixed but was still getting drops after I fixed that issue).

As far as your current adapter, you can try older drivers to see if that fixes the issue, it may.

On a different note, I would not use a laptop as a htpc....with the laptop being hidden in your tv cabinet it sounds like it will be in an enclosed area causing heat issues which will give other issues including drops and stops as well as the eventual blue screens. I would strongly consider a case in the open behind a couch or something. You will want/need air flow.

This seems like a good router

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ASUS-RT-N66U-Wireless-streaming-Warranty/dp/B007W16SMO/ref=sr_1_8?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1363615125&sr=1-8

here is a wireless n adapter

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ASUS-USB-N13-Wireless-Adapter-Software/dp/B0033C7ZAK/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1363615220&sr=1-3

here is a mini wireless n adapter

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Link-TL-WN823N-300Mbps-Wireless-Adapter/dp/B00858DGZA/ref=sr_1_5?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1363615300&sr=1-5

[The Evil Overlord]

Sc302 covered most of the bases

I myself have a Belkin wireless N adapter, (I forget the model number, as it is dangerous trying to enter his room) for my son's pc, never had any trouble connecting to any of my routers, (currently using an E4200)

The only 1 time I had any problems connecting to my router from his pc was when I tried Win 8, (this is not to say 8 is a bad OS, I just happened to be unfortunate enough to have suffered this common problem) but yes, feel free and at ease with buying whichever one you like, they're not bad :)

As far as ?100 routers Cisco, D-link Trendnet, all have devices within that range :)

[TPreston]

Its probably a generic wireless interference or range issue though. If the media isn't stored on the HTPC then you will be far better off using a wired connection.

[Guest seanseany]

The usb adapters are quite good. I have had issues with a netgear router and did not go back to them,

Sorry I should have been more specific , It's actually a smoked glass and black chrome stand and not an actual cabinet. I intend to raise my laptop with two strips of wooden batten ( 20 mm high x 20 mm wide) to allow air flow and maybe paint them black or recess them so they don't show.

The laptop will be placed on top of a blu ray player and being even more specific , I had a slight...err.....accident and both hinges are snapped on my laptop .So it will just be the main body connected via HDMI to my LCD TV.

On a side note , Do I need to dismantle the whole screen enclosure and disconnect the screen ...Or can I just snip the wires and isolate them with electrical tape ( Obviously set it up for an external monitor and power down first ? )

Thanks so much for the links :D

Sc302 covered most of the bases

I myself have a Belkin wireless N adapter, (I forget the model number, as it is dangerous trying to enter his room) for my son's pc, never had any trouble connecting to any of my routers, (currently using an E4200)

The only 1 time I had any problems connecting to my router from his pc was when I tried Win 8, (this is not to say 8 is a bad OS, I just happened to be unfortunate enough to have suffered this common problem) but yes, feel free and at ease with buying whichever one you like, they're not bad :)

As far as ?100 routers Cisco, D-link Trendnet, all have devices within that range :)

Thank you ! For your Sons bedroom ......

Its probably a generic wireless interference or range issue though. If the media isn't stored on the HTPC then you will be far better off using a wired connection.

My laptop has 500GB storage, so it wont really be an issue .Although it would be cool to transfer stuff around on a wireless connection.

The thing is , my other devices connect with out flaw . Admittedly I do own a cordless phone system ( 2 units , base and additional) but that has little impact on my "droid" devices. In a few weeks I will be buying a shiny new lappy and to be honest I really dont think its a range issue.

My phone wont connect in my bathroom , Its floor to ceiling ceramic tiles and at the back of my house so no surprise with that !

I live in London and my place was built in the 50's . Massive through lounge , medium size kitchen ( for London) and a bathroom extension at the back. So.... no party walls ( partition , jack or supporting in the way) and I lose connection , both "up n down " ( only a joist system and one RSJ in the way )

Thanks for the suggestions , means a lot and makes me realise why I use this site !!111!!!

[sc302 Veteran]

Something that I would strongly consider over that laptop

http://www.amazon.co...63627578&sr=8-1

You could just disconnect the cables, not hard to do esp being that the screen is broken.