Netgear router, Mac and PC connectivity

[AliD]

I installed the Netgear RangeMax router to my Westell Modem. I have DSL service with BellSouth. Our household has one PC laptop and one MAC laptop. The connection on the Mac will work for a while and then I cannot connect. The pc seems to do fine. What is going on? How can I make the connection to both laptops more stable?
Thank you

[L8ians]

HI,
Please tell me the model number of the netgear router...
Since the other laptop works fine, the problem could be with the mac computer...
Make sure that there is no interferences like microwave woven or mobile phones, cordless phones, between the mac computer and the laptop...
Could try changing the channel of the wireless signal sent by the netgear router so that both laptops goes online on the same channel...

[TechDan615]

I apologize that I am in fact not a MAC expert but here is some advice on improving the performance of your Wireless Connection.

1) Position your wireless router (or wireless access point) in a central location.
When possible, place your wireless router in a central location in your home. If your wireless router is against an outside wall of your home, the signal will be weak on the other side of your home. Don't worry if you can't move your wireless router, because there are many other ways to improve your connection.

2) Move the router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects (such as metal file cabinets).

Metal, walls, and floors will interfere with your router's wireless signals. The closer your router is to these obstructions, the more severe the interference, and the weaker your connection will be.

3) Add a wireless repeater.

Wireless repeaters extend your wireless network range without requiring you to add any wiring. Just place the wireless repeater halfway between your wireless access point and your computer, and you'll get an instant boost to your wireless signal strength. Check out the wireless repeaters from ViewSonic, D-Link, Linksys, and Buffalo Technology.

4) Change your Wireless Channel

Wireless routers can broadcast on several different channels, similar to the way radio stations use different channels. In the United States and Canada, these channels are 1, 6, and 11. Just like you'll sometimes hear interference on one radio station while another is perfectly clear, sometimes one wireless channel is clearer than others. Try changing your wireless router's channel through your router's configuration page to see if your signal strength improves. You don't need to change your computer's configuration, because it'll automatically detect the new channel.

5) Update your firmware or your network adapter driver.

Router manufacturers regularly make free improvements to their routers. Sometimes, these improvements increase performance. To get the latest firmware updates for your router, visit your router manufacturer's Web site.

Similarly, network adapter vendors occasionally update the software that Windows XP uses to communicate with your network adapter, known as the driver. These updates typically improve performance and reliability. To get the updates, visit Microsoft Update, and then under Select by Type click Hardware, Optional. Install any updates relating to your wireless network adapter. It wouldn't hurt to install any other updates while you're visiting Microsoft Update, too.

6) Pick equipment from a single vendor.

While a Linksys router will work with a D-Link network adapter, you often get better performance if you pick a router and network adapter from the same vendor. Some vendors offer a performance boost of up to twice the performance when you choose their hardware: Linksys has the SpeedBooster technology, and D-Link has the 108G enhancement.