PS3 wireless connection

[Malc]

Hello there,

Here's the situation:

My brother had a PS3 connected up to the internet using it's internal wireless card - Worked Perfectly.

I had a Wii which was also connected to the router wirelessly - Worked perfectly.

We then did a swap of machines, so I now own the PS3. My room is notorious for poor connection to the broadband router downstairs, and it seems that the PS3 is also suffering from poor conection.

When seeing the signal strengh on the PS3 it fluctuates a lot, but generally stays around 50%. Because of this the web browser on the PS3 loads pages up very slowly, same for the Playstation store, and also F1 '06 doesn't seem to find any servers when playing multi-player (it's the only game I have to try out it's online connections).

Now my 360 only ever has one or two bars signal strengh out of the four, so it's just barely connecting to the router, yet when I sign in or visit the marketplace it's instant, super fast and works no problems when downloading etc using the 360. Same for when I had the Wii in my room; that loaded up the internet browser instantly and never had any connection problems. Yet my PS3 does.

It seems to be that the more signal strength there is the quicker it loads things on the PS3 (despite my 360 and Wii not being affected by the connection strength at all). and therefore I think I need some way to improve the connection from the broadband to the router downstairs. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated? like maybe getting some sort of more powerful router or external wireless thingy to plug into the PS3?

By the way; if you drew a line from where my 360 and PS3 are going straight to the router. It would pass through 2 internal walls and the ceiling, and is only about 6-8 metres apart.

Hopefully someone can recommend me how to try and improve this signal, as that's the only thing I can think of to improve the download speed.

Many thanks
Malc.

[funkydan]

Could you move the router to upstairs and plug it into a phone socket up there? Or does it have to be downstairs?

[Malc]

Well it kind of has to stay down stairs really. The main computer is plugged into it and we don't have a phone socket upstairs anymore.

I've tried moving it around by the computer area downstairs, and it improved it slightly just by moving it a metre or so; originally it was 30-40% but then rose to the 50% mark. However, it's still not enough to speed things up unfortunately.

Thanks for looking by the way Dan!

EDIT: I've only heard of something like a external wireless device, I think you plug one end into the PS3 and another into one of the cable holes at the back of the router. Is this device real? Or am I getting confused?

[Salsa Party Animal]

Look for something which can relay and strengthen the wireless
connection.

Try a different wi fi settings/signal/channel as it might work better.

Is it possible to swap room for your bedroom ? I don't know.

[funkydan]

Well it kind of has to stay down stairs really. The main computer is plugged into it and we don't have a phone socket upstairs anymore.

I've tried moving it around by the computer area downstairs, and it improved it slightly just by moving it a metre or so; originally it was 30-40% but then rose to the 50% mark. However, it's still not enough to speed things up unfortunately.

Thanks for looking by the way Dan!

EDIT: I've only heard of something like a external wireless device, I think you plug one end into the PS3 and another into one of the cable holes at the back of the router. Is this device real? Or am I getting confused?

No probs mate

I doubt that you would find this external wireless device as the PS3 has wireless built-in as you know. The 360 has to use one of these as it doesn't have built-in wireless but the PS3 should be fine without. I'd say legendary might be onto something re: changing your routers channel. Also, maybe try simply resetting the router (there should be a reset button on it somewhere) if that hasn't been done for a while as that might also help, especially as you say it used to work fine for your bro previously.

[Malc]

Look for something which can relay and strengthen the wireless connection.

Try a different wi fi settings/signal/channel as it might work better.

Is it possible to swap room for your bedroom ? I don't know.

1) The problem is I don't know what i'm looking for, some sort of plug in external wireless device for the PS3 maybe?

2) The PS3 connects fine, it's just The signal strength needs to be improved.

3)Unfortunately not, our house is crowded already.

[Malc]

No probs mate

I doubt that you would find this external wireless device as the PS3 has wireless built-in as you know. The 360 has to use one of these as it doesn't have built-in wireless but the PS3 should be fine without. I'd say legendary might be onto something re: changing your routers channel. Also, maybe try simply resetting the router (there should be a reset button on it somewhere) if that hasn't been done for a while as that might also help, especially as you say it used to work fine for your bro previously.

It connects to the router fine, no problems. But it's simply the strength I need to increase. Considering the Wii connected perfectly with its built-in wireless; i'm guessing that it has a more powerful wireless device inside it. But the PS3 must not.

That's why I thought of maybe buying a more powerfull wireless device or router with a bigger range.

[funkydan]

What make is your router?

[Malc]

Erm... It says: 'Netgear' on it. Is that it?

[funkydan]

Yes, that's it. Perhaps one of these Wireless boosters would be worth a go then. I'd go for the most expensive one (WiFi Booster/Extender 9dBi Rubber Duck Antenna) which is about £16. And if that doesn't work, maybe get a new, more powerful router, but try the booster first Whaddya reckon?

[Malc]

The link isn't working for me, but by the sounds of it; it could be good.

[funkydan]

Just fixed it - try again!

[Malc]

So does the most expensive one just replace the antenna that's on it now? And it should work with my Netgear router right?

[funkydan]

So does the most expensive one just replace the antenna that's on it now? And it should work with my Netgear router right?

Yes, and yes - that's what it says. It does say there that it is compatible with most routers including Netgear. Maybe give their sales team a call, just to double check that it will work with your router model (although I'm sure it will).

Also, I didn't see this one over the page at that site - it seems like the mother of all wireless boosters!

I'd call the site's sales team and ask for some advice though

[Malc]

Our house isn't big enough for that last booster, but the first one you recommended me for £16 seems good. I'll get that and see how it goes. I've never used that website before; hopefully they're reliable.

Thankyou for your help Dan; hopefully it'll work.