weak wi-fi signal

blockie

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California, USA
I am working on a ladie's laptop and I have just taken advantage of the free upgrade to 8.1. Her original complaint is the connection to the internet is unstable. I did notice that she is using the guest account of the assisted care facility she is living in. That account is sometimes less than the full five bars strengh. I thionk that may be part of her problem because when I take it to my apartment where my router is, there is no problem using my wi-fi.
Question 1. Will a signal booster help if installed in her apartment? If so any recommendations?

I confirmed the installation of the update to 8.1 using Belarc Advisor. The same tiles displayed when the update completed. I thought there was a way to make the interface more user friendly. I, also, thought that was the reson for 8.1.
Question 2. What do I do next? Any tutorials?

Bill
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    w8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G710
    CPU
    Intel i5-420MCPU @ 2.6GHz 2.59 GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    6 MB
    Browser
    Chrome / FireFox
    Antivirus
    Defender

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer V3 771G-6443
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer VA70_HC (U3E1)
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 PC3-12800 (800 MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD4000 + GeForce GT 730M
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" Generic PnP Display on Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250 GB
    ADATA SSD SP900 128GB
    PSU
    90 watt brick
    Mouse
    Bluetooth
    Antivirus
    Comodo
    Other Info
    Asus RT-AC56R dual-band WRT router (Merlin firmware). Intel 7260.HMWWB.R dual-band ac wireless adapter.
If it is a WiFi hotspot, yes those can be very unstable connections. If it is stable when using in your home, then it is not the adapter in the unit. You could try a USB adapter, with an external antenna, and see if that allows her to pick up a better signal from the Hotspot.

The worse thing about Hotspots in public places, is that they make it that users can only get at most 2mbps down.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Thanks to you both. I used the "Classic Shell" to make it look like W7. Question: The W8.1 Start is still avilable. I want to be sure it doesn't boot up to that interface I dont think I need it at all. Any way to block it?

This notebook Toshiba Satellite, has three lights on the front of the case. Two of the light deal with power and off/on The third light indicates the status of the WI-FI. It glows RED, but the instruction book does not desribe it, at least, I can't find it. Being RED means something serius is going on but I can't find it. Next step is Toshiba support.
Bill
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    w8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G710
    CPU
    Intel i5-420MCPU @ 2.6GHz 2.59 GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    6 MB
    Browser
    Chrome / FireFox
    Antivirus
    Defender
It helps to know what the model is of the Toshiba laptop. I have two Satellite C850D-ST3NX1's in my household, and the Wifi indicator on both of them is a Orange/Amber light. If it is an older model, I can see it being Red. Some others are Blue for the Wifi, or may change color, depending on the type of Wifi network (one color for B, one for G, one for N).

You can go to support.toshiba.com and pull up the user guide on there. It will tell you what the color of the indicators indicate.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Thanks to you both. I used the "Classic Shell" to make it look like W7. Question: The W8.1 Start is still avilable. I want to be sure it doesn't boot up to that interface I dont think I need it at all. Any way to block it?
l

8.1 can boot straight to desktop...

Right click taskbar and tick 'When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start'.

She can still get to the start screen by pressing shift-Win key , there isn't a way to block that though.

Also using a signal booster will half her available bandwidth , if you can get hold of one to try , an external wifi dongle might help get a better signal.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Memory
    6 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    12 TB in 6 disks
    PSU
    TX650
    Keyboard
    G15
    Mouse
    Intellimouse 3.0
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbits
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Trend Micro
Thanks to you both. I used the "Classic Shell" to make it look like W7. Question: The W8.1 Start is still avilable. I want to be sure it doesn't boot up to that interface I dont think I need it at all. Any way to block it?
l

8.1 can boot straight to desktop...

Right click taskbar and tick 'When I sign in or close all apps on a screen, go to the desktop instead of Start'.

She can still get to the start screen by pressing shift-Win key , there isn't a way to block that though.

Also using a signal booster will half her available bandwidth , if you can get hold of one to try , an external wifi dongle might help get a better signal.

You forgot 2 steps after right-clicking the taskbar - Properties -> Navigation
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 8100 XPS Studio
    CPU
    i7 Quad Core 2.93ghz
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTS240 1GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 24" HD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Keyboard
    Dell Wireless
    Mouse
    Dell Wireless
    Internet Speed
    6/1
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security 2015
I have seen many good suggestions on how to improve the wifi signal on the back-end; however, you should also consider trying to get that signal improved at the front-end as well. Specifically, complain of that weak signal to the complex manager and get others on the second floor to complain as well. Now, I know these complaints may fall on deaf ears but you don't know until you try. Moreover, my friend is a condo owner (living on the second floor too BTW) and I encouraged him to rally the troops and complain in mass. Guess what? It worked and the signal strength was improved to a point where it is now functional. In summary, I do understand this is not your issue to bear; however, you might advise the tenant to complain as well. I'm sure others are having a similar issue on that floor.


Good luck.

my2cents
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
I just delivered the laotop to the owner. She's very satisfied with the "Classic Shell" interface. Explained the RED LED on the front edge of the computer and demonstrated various controls. Connected her Dell Mdl 922 All in One printer and it only works in scanner mode. Can't make it the default printer, the choice is not on the right click drop-down.
Reserching on the internet a few suggestions were that the mdl 922 was not compatible with W 8. The suggestions were to use Vista drivers in the compatibility mode. Is this still the way to go? How do I do it?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    w8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G710
    CPU
    Intel i5-420MCPU @ 2.6GHz 2.59 GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    6 MB
    Browser
    Chrome / FireFox
    Antivirus
    Defender
That particular printer is no longer supported by DELL , so using compatibility mode to install the drivers will be the only way to do this.

You will need to download the driver installation file from the DELL website.

Follow the steps to install in Compatibility mode:
a. Right click the driver installation file and select Properties then tap or click the Compatibility tab.
b. Place a check in the Run this program in compatibility mode box.
c. Tap or click the drop down box and select a previous Operating System, then tap or click OK.

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Memory
    6 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    12 TB in 6 disks
    PSU
    TX650
    Keyboard
    G15
    Mouse
    Intellimouse 3.0
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbits
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Trend Micro
That particular printer is no longer supported by DELL , so using compatibility mode to install the drivers will be the only way to do this.

You will need to download the driver installation file from the DELL website.

Follow the steps to install in Compatibility mode:
a. Right click the driver installation file and select Properties then tap or click the Compatibility tab.
b. Place a check in the Run this program in compatibility mode box.
c. Tap or click the drop down box and select a previous Operating System, then tap or click OK.


I downloaded two packages from Dell, but don't know which one to use.
Here is the info of both files"

1. R151379.exe 55,554 KB
2. R153719.exe 38,211 KB

Bill
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    w8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G710
    CPU
    Intel i5-420MCPU @ 2.6GHz 2.59 GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    6 MB
    Browser
    Chrome / FireFox
    Antivirus
    Defender
The driver file I found was R151371.exe , I'm assuming it's a 32 bit version of Win 8.1

Drivers & Downloads | Dell US

Selecting vista 32 bit will give you 3 files listed , the last one on the list is the driver exe.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Memory
    6 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    12 TB in 6 disks
    PSU
    TX650
    Keyboard
    G15
    Mouse
    Intellimouse 3.0
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbits
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Trend Micro

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    w8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G710
    CPU
    Intel i5-420MCPU @ 2.6GHz 2.59 GHz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    6 MB
    Browser
    Chrome / FireFox
    Antivirus
    Defender

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Memory
    6 GB
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 1024
    Hard Drives
    12 TB in 6 disks
    PSU
    TX650
    Keyboard
    G15
    Mouse
    Intellimouse 3.0
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbits
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Trend Micro
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