Network range extender

Question

Level 2

465 points

Network range extender

Hi there,

Sorry i do not know where else to ask this question. I recently moved to a different room in my place and now the signal from my router is really bad. I bought a range extender, Dlink DAP-1360 to extend the range. It took me around 2 hours just to figure out how to setup the Dlink. Now it is working, well in a annoying way.

My PS3 detects two of the same SSID with different signal strength. one is at 90% and the other one is at 30%. Needless to say i connect to the one that is at 90% of the signal strength. PS3 then connects to the network fairly well for a while, then stuck and feels like the PS3 losts the signal.

My Macbook always happens the same way. It connects to the network fairly well, for a little while, then it will get stuck. I have to turn the airport off, then on again to get rid of the stuck situation.

What cause this disruption? Did i setup anything wrong? Should i give the extender a different SSID? Can anyone help me?

Mac book pro 2.5G duo 4M RAM, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Sep 3, 2010 6:38 PM

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Answer 1

MadisonP

Level 5

4,832 points

Sep 3, 2010 6:54 PM in response to Very H2O

Greetings,

You should probably contact Dlink as this issue is obviously with your network setup and not with your computer.

That said I'll offer my 2 cents. When you use an Apple Airport Express to extend the range of an Apple Wireless network, what you end up with is one LARGE network, not two separate networks. If Dlink does their network extension the same way (which would seem likely but only they would know) then that suggests something was not setup correctly. If you have 2 networks and not 1 network, then I think you just setup a new network rather than extended the first 1.

I'd give Dlink a ring http://www.dlink.com/support/.

Cheers!

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Answer 2

Very H2O Author

Level 2

465 points

Sep 3, 2010 7:02 PM in response to MadisonP

Thanks for the quick response. i will try to setup my extender again and ring up the help line.

My PS3 detects two of the same SSID, but my powerbook detects just one SSID but with better signal strength. So i am not sure if i should rename the SSID in the extender or keep it the same.

Anyone else has any other suggestions?

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Answer 3

Very H2O Author

Level 2

465 points

Sep 3, 2010 7:04 PM in response to Very H2O

And oh, i place the extender on top of a microwave, cuz it was the only place that has a plug. Will the microwave have anything to do with the disruption i am getting?

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Answer 4

BobHarris

Level 9

53,147 points

Sep 3, 2010 7:12 PM in response to Very H2O

Known sources of WiFi interference

o Microwave ovens (they operate in the 2.4GHz range)
o 2.4GHz cordless phones (yours or your neighbors)
o 2.4GHz baby monitors (your or your neighbors)
o 802.11g WiFi base stations on or near your channel (neighbors again)
o Walls, metal objects between the base station and your Mac (refrigerators, washing machines, walls with metal studs or concrete with rebar, etc...)

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Answer 5

Very H2O Author

Level 2

465 points

Sep 3, 2010 7:40 PM in response to BobHarris

That's what i thoguht too... i moved the extender to a different area in the kitchen... it is now around 3 - 5 ft away from any of the appliances...

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Answer 6

Very H2O Author

Level 2

465 points

Sep 4, 2010 1:48 PM in response to Very H2O

Anone??? If i get the airport express base station will it be better to solve my range problem?

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Answer 7

MadisonP

Level 5

4,832 points

Sep 4, 2010 6:50 PM in response to Very H2O

What did Dlink say?

The Airport Express can extend another Airport Base Station. Is that what you are extending? If so, you could go with that ( http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB321LL/A).

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