Troubleshooting a wireless network

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

06/17/2009 01:22:04 PM · #1

I hate intermittent problems. I have a Logitech Squeezebox Boom in my bedroom and lately it seem to spaz out at times. On the surface it looks like the wireless connection is either slow or interrupts. The Boom is probably 30 feet from the router but on the second floor instead of the ground floor.

My question is this: Without replacing any equipment, is there any way of diagnosing where the problem is? Is it in the router or the Boom? Is it a signal strength issue despite the short distance?

Message edited by author 2009-06-17 13:22:24.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

06/17/2009 01:33:25 PM · #2

Because you say "lately", I assume it had been working well for some time. Also assuming no sources of interference have been added into the mix, or you would've figured that out. So I also assume it's not a problem of distance and/or signal interference.

No solution, but one possibility ruled out. :-/

06/17/2009 01:47:06 PM · #3

Jason, the issue will either be hardware, your ISP, or the environment of your house.

You may want to try using another wireless device (such as a laptop) in the same area. Does that second device also show problems?

I'm sure you already tried reinitializing all the devices as well before posting here.

Have you made any configuration changes to your router or the boom recently? In addition, do you have any marble in your house? Or added any other type of material within your house to effect the connection's environment?

Also, if you would elaborate on the details of "spaz out" such as what the boom is connecting to during the spaz out times, those details may be more helpful.

Just some thoughts...;-)

Message edited by author 2009-06-17 13:57:58.

06/17/2009 01:57:15 PM · #4

Nothing has changed in the house. I did upgrade the computer (motherboard, CPU, RAM, video card) and that is different. I also moved the router from one side of the house to the other, but I was starting to have the problem before that and I had thought this might help.

As I said, the irksome part is it is sporadic. Last night I could hardly get a single song out of the Boom. This morning it worked fine while I was getting ready.

I'm running through my head to see if I have any other wireless devices to run. I do have an older Soundbridge. Maybe I'll try running that when the Boom has issues and see if the Soundbridge also has issues. One possible difference though is I'm usually running Pandora on Boom and the Soundbridge only reads music files I have on the computer. I guess if it does have problems though I can figure it's the router or maybe network adapter?

06/17/2009 02:19:58 PM · #5

This fixed mine
//www.dlink-me.com/ftp/antennas/pdf/ANT24-0600.pdf

06/17/2009 02:21:19 PM · #6

It's easiest to trace the problem through the line of connection...so let's start with the internet itself:

1. Is Pandora having issues itself?
2. Is your ISP having any issues?
3. Move the Boom right next to your router for testing...is it improved?
4. Turn off all of your devices including the router. Turn on your router first; then the Boom; then connect to Pandora.
5. Then, add each of your devices one by one to your router. Do they all work effectively and simultaneously?

Just some more thoughts...;-)

06/17/2009 02:33:10 PM · #7

Originally posted by hihosilver:

Thanks Mae. You are the sexiest IT person I know!

I'll do these things when I get home. From the top of my head I don't think my ISP is the issue. I rarely if ever lose service or have hiccups. Interestingly Pandora has spazed out once or twice since the new computer, but not frequently. Next time I can't connect the Boom I'll move it right next, although that will also force me to unplug and restart it so we can't be sure it is a signal thing then if it suddenly starts working.

06/17/2009 02:34:17 PM · #8

Originally posted by Rando D300:

This fixed mine
//www.dlink-me.com/ftp/antennas/pdf/ANT24-0600.pdf

Ooh, this looks interesting too. Thanks!

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/17/2009 02:36:28 PM · #9

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Thanks Mae. You are the sexiest IT person I know!

Shhhhh...you can't say things like that...Slippy gets jealous...haha!

Do keep us posted, Dear...

csolomon1

Canon EOS-50D

06/17/2009 02:37:06 PM · #10

I dont know if you have checked but you may need to change the channel, as in freq in the router, you can have issues with interference and not even know it, Freq availiable at 1-11, check your documents on the router, i have sim issues here at my work, as an I/T admin thats what I would do first

ErikV

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

06/17/2009 02:42:18 PM · #11

Did you by any chance drop either the router or the Boom in some water, either by accident or to test if they are any more waterproof than the 5D?

06/17/2009 02:42:59 PM · #12

From the Gadgeteer//the-gadgeteer.com/2009/01/30/logitech-squeezebox-boom-review/

"I tried Squeezebox in several locations around my house. My WiFi router is located in the basement, the Squeezebox works perfect thereâ�¦ but when I took it upstairs on the opposite end of the house, it had some trouble streaming my music and playing internet radio stations. It would sometimes lose connection. Iâ��m not sure I can complain about that since it is going through a floor and a couple walls. I also tried it directly above my office and had no problems."

It is a common issue with them ,the Dlink ANT24 are about 20 bucks.

06/17/2009 02:50:32 PM · #13

Originally posted by Rando D300:

Know where I can find one? Best Buy doesn't have them listed. I suppose I could just order one online somewhere.

06/17/2009 03:01:14 PM · #14

Office depot has a newer model for 29 bucks

//www.officedepot.com/a/products/864664/D-Link-ANT24-0700-2-4GHz/

Message edited by author 2009-06-17 15:02:41.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

06/17/2009 04:00:31 PM · #15

If signal is the issue would it be better to have a 6db directional antennae or a 7db omnidirectional? Is the 7db weaker because it's using it's energy in 360 degrees while the 6db is using it's energy only in a 90 degree section?

I can't find the directional, but I did find this at office depot.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

06/17/2009 04:02:23 PM · #16

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

So... I rule out signal in my post way up at the top and now you're going to run out and buy an unnecessary nick-nack to boost the signal? :-P

ETA... you are SO banished when I get my spot on SC.

Message edited by author 2009-06-17 16:03:18.

06/17/2009 04:10:04 PM · #17

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:
If signal is the issue would it be better to have a 6db directional antennae or a 7db omnidirectional? Is the 7db weaker because it's using it's energy in 360 degrees while the 6db is using it's energy only in a 90 degree section?

I can't find the directional, but I did find this at office depot.

So... I rule out signal in my post way up at the top and now you're going to run out and buy an unnecessary nick-nack to boost the signal? :-P

ETA... you are SO banished when I get my spot on SC.

Haha. Don't worry, I'm not runnning out to buy one first thing. I haven't ruled out interference because it could be something someone else is using.

Ah wait! I do have another wireless device. The Wii. We don't play online a ton, but Mario Kart seems to work on the network. I can only recall a single time it's flaked out.

06/17/2009 04:15:57 PM · #18

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

My number one rule is..."Never Assume." I do agree though that you should not run out and buy any "knick knacks" until you have tested and isolated the issue. Then, borrow Slippy's credit card and go run up a nice bill with new toys...;-P

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

06/17/2009 04:54:09 PM · #19

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

LOL!!!! For 30 feet either will do the job.

hanserik

Nikon D700

06/17/2009 05:54:29 PM · #20

Do you have a lot of neighbours also using wireless? Could explain why it's troublesome in the evening but not in the morning...

If your equipment is able to transmit on 802.11a or n (5GHz), try that.

PapaBob

Sony Alpha a7 IV

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

06/17/2009 06:04:54 PM · #21

Is your wireless secured? Silly question but since it mainly seems to be the same time of day I just thought I would rule out neighbors enjoying your connection.

06/17/2009 06:09:21 PM · #22

Originally posted by PapaBob:

Is your wireless secured? Silly question but since it mainly seems to be the same time of day I just thought I would rule out neighbors enjoying your connection.

Yes, it is.

I think I'm going to try changing channels. I believe the Boom uses 802.11b/g

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

06/17/2009 06:17:36 PM · #23

if it's running on 802.11b. Does it change the interference potential if I switch everything to 802.11g?

Apple iPhone 5

06/17/2009 08:31:52 PM · #24

Changing channels worked for me - With the number of wireless devices in my area using channel 11 (the default I think) - I just picked another one, which worked much better.