Ask A Geek

Q: If I move from my current ISP to AT&T DSL service will I be able to use my existing Linksys wireless G Access point WAP54G? I don’t want to pay extra for a wireless router when I already have one.

A: In my experience with AT&T I have always gotten a modem with a built in wireless router at no extra cost. I normally don’t use the wireless on their router because, like you, I have my own and I like to use it since I have it. When ordering just make sure to express to them you want a stand alone modem, ie one that does not have to connect to your computer via USB. I am pretty sure no DSL companies use USB only modems anymore but it never hurts to make sure and if they say anything just say you have no free USB ports on your computer. Read the rest of this entry »

Q: I have a linksys WAP54G router and am wanting to switch to AT&T Internet but do not want to pay for an extra router that they have. Are they compatible?

Q: When I am using the Internet or I am on xbox live I get kicked off when my phone rings or I try to make a call. What is the problem and how can I fix it?

Q: How can I increase my DSL upload speed? I have an ADSL Broadband connection from MTNL Mumbai. I get download speed of 1 Mbps as per my plan but they offer maximum upload speed of 256 kbps for all plans. Is there any way to increase the upload speed?

Q: I live in a hotel that has a WiFi system and my computer connects to it at 54 Mbps. The download speed ranges between 4 Kbps to 48 Kbps, depending on how many people are online at any given time. The system is connected to the Internet via a DSL line with a max download speed of 1 Mbps. What would the best way to increase my download speed be?

A: You are lucky in this case because WiFi and broadband are measured using the same units. Many times things in the computer world are measured in different units like MB vs Mb or KB vs Mb and it is difficult to tell what is going on. In this case WiFi and broadband are usually measured in Mbps so you can compare apples to apples, as some people would say. In this case your WiFi connection is 54 times faster than your DSL connection so it is very unlikely that the problem is the DSL connection. However, with that said, you should always verify that is the case and here is how we can do it. Read the rest of this entry »

Q: I live in a hotel that has a WIFI system. My computer connects at 54.0 mbps. The download speed ranges between 4 kbps to 48 kbps, depending on how many people are online at any given time. The system is connected to the internet via a DSL line with a max download speed of 1 mbps. The owner thinks the best way to increase the speed is to upgrade the WIFI system. I think getting a faster DSL line would be better. Who is correct?

Q: What can I do to avoid going through my cable provider to get the Internet on my laptop?

I am trying to avoid purchasing an internet plan with my cable provider as they have quoted a hook up fee of $149.00. For wireless which should be illegal. Is there a wireless card available for laptops to connect ?

Q: I don’t have internet at home and frankly I can’t afford it. Will purchasing a wireless card allow me to access the internet on my computer? Its not an old computer I don’t think( M1330 dell, 3GB).

I’m just confused and I do have an unlimited data on my phone. The thing is if I can in fact use these cards to get internet am I limited to what I can buy? I have a Sprint phone and a Dell computer. So will I have to get a Sprint card?

How much do these things usually run and what determines the type of card I should purchase? All I really want is unbroken internet access so that I can watch a youtube or netflix video online. I want to be able to watch it all the way without any pauses or freezes. I am really tired of just using the internet from 8-3 at work. I use the public transportation so would I be able to use this card on the bus?

Someone suggested the cheapest broadband service and then get an internet adaptor so that I don’t have to fuss with a wireless card.

But what is “broadband’” and is that something I will have to get from like comcast or AT&T? I want avoid their outlandish prices.

A: Broadband really just means a fast internet connection and currently that would include cable and DSL for residential customers. There are a few other options but those are the most available options right now.

Your unlimited data plan on your Sprint phone is not really unlimited. If you read the contract it is limited to 5GB of data transfer. To put this in perspective this is probably 4 or 5 Netflix videos. Read the rest of this entry »

Q: I am having serious problems with my laptop getting online. I have a Toshiba laptop running on Windows XP. In my home I have Verizon DSL, the modem (Westell model 327W) which I am told is the most up to date modem for Verizon. I also have a Westell PC card. The laptop is at least 5 years old, and I have had DSL service for over 10 years.

Because of the problems I am having, about a month ago, I called Verizon and they sent me a new modem and updated my connections. I still have the same Westell PC card that came with the original modem. I believe that my modem is working properly; the DSL light and the wireless light is lit on the modem. When I turn my laptop on, there is an icon at the bottom that tells me whether or not I have an internet connection and the strength. I know the lights on the PC card are suppose to light up to let me know that I have a connection. That is my problem. Sometimes the icon states that I have a excellent signal but I still cannot get online and my PC card is not lit. A screen comes up saying “Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage.” In the past, I have right clicked on the icon that is telling me that I have no connection and clicked repair. A Repair Wireless Network Connection message box comes up and sometimes I can get online AFTER it says “renewing IP address.”

I thought that it was my PC card so I purchased a compatible Dynex PC card. I downloaded everything and still, I can’t get online but this card tells me that I have a good signal and it lights up!! However, when I try to connect, it says no signal.

I used to be able to go on my back porch or in the basement and get on my laptop. Now, I am about 20 feet away from the modem and can’t get online at all!!! There are no obstacles in the way of the signal and weather, time of day nor phones ringing have no effect on connection.

Please, please can anyone tell me what is the problem? Is it the modem, PC cards or laptop?

Q: How can I speed up my computers download and upload speed? I have Windows XP with a 3mb DSL connection but it doesn’t seem to move any faster than 768k.