Help!!! loosing signal

Maltise · 10-06-2003, 08:23 PM

I need some help figuring this out. I have three computers all running windows xp pro, 1 Lynksys router, and 1 Linksys cable modem. One computer is right next to the cable modem and the router. The other two computers are on a 275 Ft drop running straight through cat5e cable.

Now here is the problem that i am experiencing. The computer(A) that is right next to the modem and router works fine. On the two computers (B,C) that are on the far drop, if I plug comp (B) up it works fine as well, but when I connect comp (C) up it steals comp (B's) signal. Comp (B) says that it has been disconnected, but comp (C) works fine. I can not figure out why this is happening. As I am typing this on comp (B) my signal just left me and then returned again comp (C) is not connected right now.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

RipperRoo · 10-06-2003, 11:07 PM

your problem is one of distance (but i guess you worked that much out already) the maximum operational length of cat5 cable is aprox 100 meters (just over 300 feet) but at that length it takes a lot of power to send the signals back an forth, and it sounds like your router cant handle two cables of that lenght at the same time.
the way I would get round this problem, is to put another network card in machine B, and connect machine C into your network via this second card and a crossover cable
this way your only using one real long cable and not overtaxing your router as much.

Maltise · 10-07-2003, 01:59 AM

Can i also do the same thing with a hub, and which one would give me better signal strength? A hub or a new nic card?

ClawTovski · 10-07-2003, 03:53 AM

you can use another hub/switch, after 300 feet to regain signal strength.

modem --> router ---------------> switch ---> B
......................|----> A....................|---> C

. = filler, don't mind them.
distance between router and switch is preferably < 300 feet

Maltise · 10-07-2003, 11:03 AM

Right now I have a hub connected to B and C. The hub is located at the far end of the 270 ft cable drop, and both computers are now working.

Now my only problem is that my conection speed is extreemly slow it almost feels like I am back on dial-up, but I am sure that I am a lot quicker than that

it just feels that way.

Is there any other way that I can speed this thang up besides Knocking down this house and rebuilding it 100 ft. closer to the cable modem?

Cirga · 10-07-2003, 05:20 PM

Hmm slowing down.. do you notice any collision lights coming on (on the hub and router) when you are using all three computers?

Also, you are not using any internet connection sharing are you?

Another idea.. would be to get a wireless router and put your two PC's whcih are far away on wireless NIC cards and leave hte PC close to it plugged in with CAT5. Of course it might be hard considering intereference from anything electrical through your walls. But you can always return the hardware if it doesnt work well for you. Just an idea.

Maltise · 10-07-2003, 06:03 PM

No I do not see any collision lights on the hub or the router when all computers are in use. I am not running any internet conection sharing through windows only thru the router.

I may have to give wireless a try like you said but I just dread the cost. It would sure beat putting the modem and the router out in the middle of the yard with a carboard box covering them lol.

Maltise · 10-08-2003, 10:51 PM

Well I have somehow fixed my problem. It was a bad conection I believe that was slowing me down but everything is fine now.

Thanks to everyone for their input on my problem.

10-06-2003, 08:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Maltise Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8	Help!!! loosing signal I need some help figuring this out. I have three computers all running windows xp pro, 1 Lynksys router, and 1 Linksys cable modem. One computer is right next to the cable modem and the router. The other two computers are on a 275 Ft drop running straight through cat5e cable. Now here is the problem that i am experiencing. The computer(A) that is right next to the modem and router works fine. On the two computers (B,C) that are on the far drop, if I plug comp (B) up it works fine as well, but when I connect comp (C) up it steals comp (B's) signal. Comp (B) says that it has been disconnected, but comp (C) works fine. I can not figure out why this is happening. As I am typing this on comp (B) my signal just left me and then returned again comp (C) is not connected right now. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

10-06-2003, 11:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
RipperRoo AdMiN oF RoCk! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: uk Posts: 2,080	your problem is one of distance (but i guess you worked that much out already) the maximum operational length of cat5 cable is aprox 100 meters (just over 300 feet) but at that length it takes a lot of power to send the signals back an forth, and it sounds like your router cant handle two cables of that lenght at the same time. the way I would get round this problem, is to put another network card in machine B, and connect machine C into your network via this second card and a crossover cable this way your only using one real long cable and not overtaxing your router as much. __________________ PcTechtalk.com Admin A7V8X xp2600 Barton SLK 97U, GeForce FX 5700, 1GB 2700DDR Ram Sony DVD -R/+R/RW, SB Live 5.1 Digital, 1 x 30gb 3 x 200GB 2x120GB 1 x 250GB HDD'S, 19" TFT Epson R265 HP NX6125 Laptop 1gb memory http://www.minotaur-computers.co.uk/

10-07-2003, 03:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
ClawTovski Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 32	you can use another hub/switch, after 300 feet to regain signal strength. modem --> router ---------------> switch ---> B ......................\|----> A....................\|---> C . = filler, don't mind them. distance between router and switch is preferably < 300 feet Last edited by ClawTovski; 10-07-2003 at 03:59 AM.

10-07-2003, 05:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cirga Lurking AdMiN Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: In my own little world. Buts its ok. They know me here. Posts: 3,245	Hmm slowing down.. do you notice any collision lights coming on (on the hub and router) when you are using all three computers? Also, you are not using any internet connection sharing are you? Another idea.. would be to get a wireless router and put your two PC's whcih are far away on wireless NIC cards and leave hte PC close to it plugged in with CAT5. Of course it might be hard considering intereference from anything electrical through your walls. But you can always return the hardware if it doesnt work well for you. Just an idea. __________________ Vote For Us! -- It will get you hot chicks. No really It will! ---- www.myTego.com - Give your devices a face! Dont be a conformist!

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10-07-2003, 01:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
Maltise Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8	Can i also do the same thing with a hub, and which one would give me better signal strength? A hub or a new nic card?

10-07-2003, 11:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
Maltise Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8	Right now I have a hub connected to B and C. The hub is located at the far end of the 270 ft cable drop, and both computers are now working. Now my only problem is that my conection speed is extreemly slow it almost feels like I am back on dial-up, but I am sure that I am a lot quicker than that it just feels that way. Is there any other way that I can speed this thang up besides Knocking down this house and rebuilding it 100 ft. closer to the cable modem?

10-07-2003, 06:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
Maltise Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8	No I do not see any collision lights on the hub or the router when all computers are in use. I am not running any internet conection sharing through windows only thru the router. I may have to give wireless a try like you said but I just dread the cost. It would sure beat putting the modem and the router out in the middle of the yard with a carboard box covering them lol.

10-08-2003, 10:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
Maltise Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8	Well I have somehow fixed my problem. It was a bad conection I believe that was slowing me down but everything is fine now. Thanks to everyone for their input on my problem.