Can't finish online games... please help

[Jakibikajasy]

My PS3 wireless connection is pretty weak. I can rarely finish a Resistance match or MotorStorm race without the connection going out first.

My modem and router are at my dad's computer upstairs. They're both about 3 1/2 years old. It's an RCA modem and the router is this one:

http://www99.epinions.com/Linksys_Gr...splay_~reviews

My PS3 is downstairs and on the other side of the house. I don't know if the distance is too big or my router is not good enough. I'm hoping someone can help me figure it out, along with any solutions. I'd be very grateful.

BTW my connection strength is usually between 32-50%, but when I'm playing a game offline I get the "You have been disconnected from the access point" message a lot. Then it usually signs back in a minute or two later, only to be disconnected again.

[random255]

My PS3 wireless connection is pretty weak. I can rarely finish a Resistance match or MotorStorm race without the connection going out first.

My modem and router are at my dad's computer upstairs. They're both about 3 1/2 years old. It's an RCA modem and the router is this one:

http://www99.epinions.com/Linksys_Group_BEFW11S4_EtherFast_Wireless_AP___Cab le_DSL_Router_w__4_port_Switch__Bridges___Routers_ BEFW11S4/display_~reviews

My PS3 is downstairs and on the other side of the house. I don't know if the distance is too big or my router is not good enough. I'm hoping someone can help me figure it out, along with any solutions. I'd be very grateful.

BTW my connection strength is usually between 32-50%, but when I'm playing a game offline I get the "You have been disconnected from the access point" message a lot. Then it usually signs back in a minute or two later, only to be disconnected again.

That isn't a bad router, but it is wireless B, as opposed to the newer G (or even the draft-n). You might consider looking around on eBay for a newer router (assuming you want to save some money).

You have a few options that don't involve moving your physical devices around. For starters, you can replace your router with something newer and more powerful. Those will put out a better signal, at a stronger strength, which should help you too keep connection from the distance you've said your PS3 is from your router.

Another option involves keeping your dad's router right where it is. You can buy a second router, not to replace the original, but to supplement it. You could place the second router near a halfway point between your first router and your PS3. You use the same settings as the first router in your second, and you set it to be an access point, as opposed to the gateway (which is the router which connects up to the modem and lets Internet traffic in and out of the LAN).

Also, if you are curious about the "best of the best" router for your PS3, I recommend the D-Link DGL-4300. It prioritizes packets for gaming above all else. Good stuff.

[iLLuSionS]

wireless B doesnt have as good of a connection as wireless G, so tat might just be a problem.

and yes, being far from the router will disrupt ur signal... depending on how much walls and concrete it needs to pass through (the more, the weaker the signal).

[SnakeDevil]

OR you could just get a wired connection.

[Jakibikajasy]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll definitely look into a better router. Just to confirm though, if I went with the option of getting a second router, it would need to be hooked up to a PC, correct? I have a second PC downstairs. It's actually about the same distance from the PS3 as my dad's, but it's on the same level. It recieves the wireless connection from the router I mentioned via a USB network adapter.

EDIT: Also, I'd like some more reccomendations for a G router, it doesn't necessarily have to be primarily for gaming.

[random255]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll definitely look into a better router. Just to confirm though, if I went with the option of getting a second router, it would need to be hooked up to a PC, correct? I have a second PC downstairs. It's actually about the same distance from the PS3 as my dad's, but it's on the same level. It recieves the wireless connection from the router I mentioned via a USB network adapter.

EDIT: Also, I'd like some more reccomendations for a G router, it doesn't necessarily have to be primarily for gaming.

No, a router operates independent of a PC. It does not need to be physically located by a computer.

I'd recommend getting a good G router, and replacing your existing B router altogether. You should see an improvement right away, and if you are getting a weak 35-50 percent signal with you B router, then the G router would certainly improve that enough to make things playable.

As for recommendations: Look no further than this guide.

The guide (at Tom's Hardware Guide) breaks down all the routers with actual facts, placed on this easy-to-compare chart. Just stay away from the LINKSYS WRT54GX, its "SRX 400" mode doesn't play well with PS3.

In fact, I'd recommend staying away from all the draft-n products, as they are not yet standardized. Just pick out a solid performing "G" router, and you cannot go wrong.

[Jakibikajasy]

No, a router operates independent of a PC. It does not need to be physically located by a computer.

I'd recommend getting a good G router, and replacing your existing B router altogether. You should see an improvement right away, and if you are getting a weak 35-50 percent signal with you B router, then the G router would certainly improve that enough to make things playable.

As for recommendations: Look no further than this guide.

The guide (at Tom's Hardware Guide) breaks down all the routers with actual facts, placed on this easy-to-compare chart. Just stay away from the LINKSYS WRT54GX, its "SRX 400" mode doesn't play well with PS3.

In fact, I'd recommend staying away from all the draft-n products, as they are not yet standardized. Just pick out a solid performing "G" router, and you cannot go wrong.

Thanks for the info. If a router works independent of a PC, where would I hook it up?

EDIT: I'm looking into getting a WRT54G, since I already have a Linksys and figured it would be easier to switch over. If I were to get the model with SpeedBooster, how much difference would it make?

[random255]

If I were to get the model with SpeedBooster, how much difference would it make?

SpeedBoost won't make a bit of difference. You have to have a SpeedBoost wifi card from Linksys to see the benefits, and the PS3 certainly doesn't have that. Stay away; just get the standard G router.

Thanks for the info. If a router works independent of a PC, where would I hook it up?

You basically just put it next to your cable/dsl modem. You'll plug in two items into the back of the router: The power cable (self explanatory) and the Ethernet cable (it feeds into the modem to transmit your data).

[Jakibikajasy]

SpeedBoost won't make a bit of difference. You have to have a SpeedBoost wifi card from Linksys to see the benefits, and the PS3 certainly doesn't have that. Stay away; just get the standard G router.



You basically just put it next to your cable/dsl modem. You'll plug in two items into the back of the router: The power cable (self explanatory) and the Ethernet cable (it feeds into the modem to transmit your data).

Thank you very much... you just saved me $20.

[random255]

Thank you very much... you just saved me $20.

My pleasure! Hey, thanks for the +Rep!

[Jakibikajasy]

I just got the Linksys WRT54G router, and I'm having trouble setting up, so I thought I'd ask here since you've been so helpful. I'm having problems right where it starts, my dad's PC won't read the setup CD that comes with the router, even when I try to run it from the Run window in the start menu. It plays fine on any other PC, just not this one that is connected to the modem.

Is there a way to get everything set up without the CD? I just tried connecting the new router without doing anything and my dad's PC gets the signal, but not the PCS with the adapters downstairs or the PS3. So I guess what I'm asking is how to link the new router with the adapters downstairs and the PS3. Thanks.