Tech Question
 

I want to get a wifi booster for my house as the router in an isolated corner in the front of the house, in the basement (where the home office is), we have a bunch of dead spots on the second floor and the kitchen at the back of the house.

There are several products out there and I am just wondering if anyone has any experience with wifi boosters and/or any recommendations. Thanks.

Re: Tech Question
 

It is best if you use the same brand as your router. I know a guy who has one(Linksys) that he could probably give you.

Sent from my S6 Edge

Re: Tech Question
 

you can also get aftermarket directional antennas depending on the router you have. wifi stuff tends to ship with omni-directional antennas, so a lot of energy is wasted shooting signal into the ground or into your sideyard or whatnot.

an access point is a little more straightfoward, just check reviews before buying (from newegg.com or amazon or where ever).

Re: Tech Question
 

New Question , I downloaded my new Windows 10 ,everything went great but now I have no sound from my speakers at all ,can anyone help ???Thanks.

Re: Tech Question
 

go to windows update, see if they have new drivers. check the audio control panel (right click on the speaker icon in the lower right), check volumes and check playback devices to make sure it's not routed to your digital output or something, go to speaker config and make sure it's setup correctly (some audio drivers/cards can switch the mic/line in and stereo out into 5.1 outputs, which might be an issue, but i doubt it).

as usual, google is your friend (more/different fixes):
[url=http://microsoft-news.com/heres-how-to-fix-sound-drivers-issues-on-windows-10-build-10130/]Here’s how to fix sound drivers issues on Windows 10 Build 10130[/url]

[url=http://www.tenforums.com/drivers-hardware/5121-no-sound-after-build-10049-update.html]No Sound after Build 10049 Update - Windows 10 Forums[/url]


it's not just you.

Re: Tech Question
 

[quote=That Guy;1115562]go to windows update, see if they have new drivers. check the audio control panel (right click on the speaker icon in the lower right), check volumes and check playback devices to make sure it's not routed to your digital output or something, go to speaker config and make sure it's setup correctly (some audio drivers/cards can switch the mic/line in and stereo out into 5.1 outputs, which might be an issue, but i doubt it).

as usual, google is your friend (more/different fixes):
[url=http://microsoft-news.com/heres-how-to-fix-sound-drivers-issues-on-windows-10-build-10130/]Here’s how to fix sound drivers issues on Windows 10 Build 10130[/url]

[url=http://www.tenforums.com/drivers-hardware/5121-no-sound-after-build-10049-update.html]No Sound after Build 10049 Update - Windows 10 Forums[/url]


it's not just you.[/quote]

Thank You very much .Thing is it didn't work so I kept messing with it and finally went into the new downloaded programs and Windows 10 downloads a separate HD sound program for the upgrade ,I don't have HD sound ,once I removed just that program it worked great . Again Thanks for the help .

Re: Tech Question
 

We have a ton of success with these: [url]http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-LOCOM5-NanoStation-loco-M5/dp/B004EHSV4W/ref=sr_1_75?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1438617100&sr=1-75&keywords=wifi+repeater[/url]

We have them shooting a signal from one building to another and basically you get a medium to strong signal about 50 yards away going through trees/walls/etc.

Re: Tech Question
 

Little note for you folks, sometimes if your wi-fi signal is garbage or your connection drops off; It's a much easier fix to just update your router firmware.

Google the model number of your device and follow the instructions.

My wifi use to suck and kept having to be rebooted because the connections would drop. Updated the firmware and it literally fixed the issue. Works great now.

How's everyone liking Windows 10? I've heard nothing but great reviews so far.

Re: Tech Question
 

[quote=JoeRedskin;1111604]I want to get a wifi booster for my house as the router in an isolated corner in the front of the house, in the basement (where the home office is), we have a bunch of dead spots on the second floor and the kitchen at the back of the house.

There are several products out there and I am just wondering if anyone has any experience with wifi boosters and/or any recommendations. Thanks.[/quote]Bought an extender from walmart, for my folk's home, so they could have wireless upstairs and other side of the house.

I forget the model, but it's the kind that just plugs into a wall outlet and hangs there like a nightlight. Has worked like a champ for over a year.

Examples:
[url=http://www.walmart.com/browse/electronics/wireless-range-extenders-repeaters/3944_3951_126297_1224967]Wireless Range Extenders & Repeaters : Electronics - Walmart.com[/url]

Re: Tech Question
 

[quote=RobH4413;1115683]Little note for you folks, sometimes if your wi-fi signal is garbage or your connection drops off; It's a much easier fix to just update your router firmware.

Google the model number of your device and follow the instructions.

My wifi use to suck and kept having to be rebooted because the connections would drop. Updated the firmware and it literally fixed the issue. Works great now.

How's everyone liking Windows 10? I've heard nothing but great reviews so far.[/quote]Prefer windows 10 to 8. Definitely worth doing the free upgrade asap.

Re: Tech Question
 

[quote=RobH4413;1115683]Little note for you folks, sometimes if your wi-fi signal is garbage or your connection drops off; It's a much easier fix to just update your router firmware.

Google the model number of your device and follow the instructions.

My wifi use to suck and kept having to be rebooted because the connections would drop. Updated the firmware and it literally fixed the issue. Works great now.

How's everyone liking Windows 10? I've heard nothing but great reviews so far.[/quote]

So, yeah, this was the problem (well, part a large part of it). Even with the extender, we were losing signal strength - eventually, my wife's phone would simply not connect to the home wifi. Called Comcast, the sent out a guy who replaced the router with the latest model and it works like a charm. Still a couple low strength points but no out and out dead spots.

Re: Tech Question
 

... and, as always, thanks for all the good advice!

Re: Tech Question
 

Looking for some advice on a basic, inexpensive PC for my Mom, she's in her 60's, not really tech savvy, just looking for something simple that she can get online with, check email/facebook, etc. A tablet is probably out of the question as she likes a physical keyboard. Thanks guys.

Re: Tech Question
 

Get her an iPad. She thinks she wants a keyboard...she doesn't. A tablet is the right tool for the job. She'll thank you in a month.

Re: Tech Question
 

She's tried my iPad several times, she's just not a fan.

Thinking about a chromebox, anyone have any thoughts on those?

Re: Tech Question
 

[quote=Mattyk;1116522]She's tried my iPad several times, she's just not a fan.

Thinking about a chromebox, anyone have any thoughts on those?[/quote]



The Mrs and I just gave one of these to my grandson starting high school ,he seems to like it .


[url=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/toshiba-satellite-radius-11-2-in-1-11-6-touch-screen-laptop-intel-celeron-4gb-memory-500gb-hard-drive-satin-gold/9161028.p?id=1219398155030&skuId=9161028]Toshiba Satellite Radius 11 2in1 11.6" TouchScreen Laptop Intel Celeron 4GB Memory 500GB Hard Drive Gold L15W-B1302 - Best Buy[/url]

Re: Tech Question
 

[quote=Mattyk;1116522]She's tried my iPad several times, she's just not a fan.

Thinking about a chromebox, anyone have any thoughts on those?[/quote]

Problem is you have got to run the Chrome OS, not Windows. May not be an issue if you're just checking e-mail and surfing. My GF has the Chromebook and loves it. It's fast, simple, easy to use, etc.

Another option is instead of buying a new laptop, spend $75 bucks on a 128GB SSD and clone kit and upgrade a 3-5 year old one.

It's funny how all these years we think the bottle neck is the processor, ram, etc... but you switch out a HDD with a SSD, you'll be floored by the results. Easy as hell to do also, and you don't have to make any changes to the existing machine. It just clones the current HD to the new one, you swap em out, and you are done.

Good luck.

Re: Tech Question
 

[quote=RobH4413;1116707]Problem is you have got to run the Chrome OS, not Windows. May not be an issue if you're just checking e-mail and surfing. My GF has the Chromebook and loves it. It's fast, simple, easy to use, etc.

[B]Another option is instead of buying a new laptop, spend $75 bucks on a 128GB SSD and clone kit and upgrade a 3-5 year old one. [/B]

It's funny how all these years we think the bottle neck is the processor, ram, etc... but you switch out a HDD with a SSD, you'll be floored by the results. Easy as hell to do also, and you don't have to make any changes to the existing machine. It just clones the current HD to the new one, you swap em out, and you are done.

Good luck.[/quote]

This. If you have a fairly modern PC, installing this will make it faster than when you first bought it.

Re: Tech Question
 

[quote=RobH4413;1116707]Problem is you have got to run the Chrome OS, not Windows. May not be an issue if you're just checking e-mail and surfing. My GF has the Chromebook and loves it. It's fast, simple, easy to use, etc.

Another option is instead of buying a new laptop, spend $75 bucks on a 128GB SSD and clone kit and upgrade a 3-5 year old one.

It's funny how all these years we think the bottle neck is the processor, ram, etc... but you switch out a HDD with a SSD, you'll be floored by the results. Easy as hell to do also, and you don't have to make any changes to the existing machine. It just clones the current HD to the new one, you swap em out, and you are done.

Good luck.[/quote]

Careful on the "easy" part here. I bought a laptop with a hybrid drive because it was an awesome deal. Replacing the HD was not due to the design of the laptop. If you can get to the HD, easy as cake. When I was an intern I received fantastic advice... the hardest part of fixing a computer is getting into the case.

As far as an iPad, or tablets in general. They're okay for some tasks. If Matty's mom plans on doing much typing, it's a PITA. I'm not a big fan of tablets in general, I see them phasing out. That said, something like the surface may be a good compromise. It has some decent power. It's light and compact. It also has a nice physical keyboard that doubles as a cover. iPads may have the same accessories. The positive thing with the surface is the same code used on her current box work on that, meaning she can load the office/etc she already has.

Chromebooks are good... well, they can be. Don't cheap out too much. Get her something with a nice screen. Keep in mind she won't be able to get outlook, word, etc. If it's truly just a browsing machine, it's fine. If she wants anything else out of it - I'd stay clear.

Re: Tech Question
 

If over 75% of the computer usage will be browser related, get the Chromebook/Chromebox.

If iPad typing is an issue, I have this keyboard at work and love it: [url=http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/multi-device-keyboard-k480?crid=26]K480 Keyboard – Multi-Device – Logitech[/url]

Allows to switch between 3 different devices. I have one at the office set up to control my Mac, iPad and Nexus 7 tablet.

Upgrading with SSD is a great idea if you already have the laptop available. There are a plethora of $300-400 laptops out there to choose from as well.