Dlink dir655 or Netgear WNDR3300 router?

I've had the Netgear WNDR3300 for about 6 months now but my brother's old desktop on the 3rd story of our house doesn't even pick up a signal from the router (located directly below on the 2nd story). I just bought a Dlink dir655 to see if there is any improvement but again, his wireless N adapter doesn't even pick it up, while my notebook does get a decent signal just fine. I don't really know what's going on here...should I be looking at a different router? I can still return the dlink and get another one, or just get my money back, so I'm curious if I should keep my dlink, get another router, or just keep my Netgear.

 

If your laptop can pick up a signal, it is simply because you need to buy a BETTER ADAPTER for your brother's old computer. I'd say return the D-Link and keep the Netgear since it is obviously not a problem with the router; it is with your brother's adapter. I would try and buy matching pairs of adapters (same brand and line) because I am sure that Netgear has some technology that can extend the range if both adapters match. You could also just buy a lot of adapters and try each of them to see which one works best and return the ones that don't work.

 

One more thing...

If your router is DIRECTLY (like right under) the computer (even on another floor), it is because of the radiation pattern of the antenna. The antenna actually radiates the signal in a doughnut shape around the antenna. The weakest spots would be directly above and below the antenna (if the antenna is perpendicular to the floor). I think you might need to move the router somewhere else for the adapter to pick up a signal.

 

Yeah my brother actually has one of the newer Netgear RangeMax N adapters and he still didn't get a signal from my Netgear router. And my router isn't quite directly beneath, it's kind of to the right of the house...but even then, it's still pretty close to being underneath the adapter I suppose. Still though, I'm above the router on the third floor as well and I'm getting a great signal.

 

Oh and I think it has something to do with my brother's USB ports...maybe they're too old to utilize his new N adapter fully? The other desktop on the third floor picks up a signal just fine. My brother always connects to our neighbor's unsecure Dlink router though and he gets a perfect connection.

 

Also, what's in the floor itself (e.g., what's it made of, what's it covered with, and what sort of internals does it contain)? There may be sufficient interference from the materials in the floor that no router will generate a signal strong enough for your brother's system to pick up - dropping a wire through the floor to the router may be the simplest solution.

 

Yeah that's very true Shyster. What's interesting is that now my Intel 5100 seems to have worse performance with the DIR655 than with my Netgear WNDR3300 which is strange because I've heard nothing but great things about the DIR655.

 

Make sure you have the very latest Fiirmware for the DIR-655 (v1.21)
It fixes an issue with the i5x00 cards and getting to 150Mbps (not tested this my self yet)