Tech Outpost

[Calls]

Have cable internet. The router has a wire connecting it to the PC (password protected). The router also has wireless function (also password protected) WE sometimes use the wireless part of the router for wi-fi connection with the iPhone.
However the router is in the back part of the house, in the back corner onthe floor. So sometimes the wireless connection is weak.
Wife heard that the router should not really be in a corner close to a wall.
But the wire that connects the router to the PC is raher short so we cant really move the router to the middle of the room.
So we want the get a longer wire so he the router can still be connected to the PC, but then the router can be moved to the middle of the room.
So:
1. what is the type of wire we need to get to get a longer version of to connect the router to the PC?
2. Can we leave the wire power plug connected to the electrical outlet evenif we change the wire that connects to the PC? In essence can the router remain on even if it is disconected from the pc?
3. I've asked this before, but if the router is disconnected and then reconnected to the PC, do passwords need to be reset?

[dickevans Super RootKit Eradicator]

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Calls wrote:
Have cable internet. The router has a wire connecting it to the PC (password protected). The router also has wireless function (also password protected) WE sometimes use the wireless part of the router for wi-fi connection with the iPhone.
However the router is in the back part of the house, in the back corner onthe floor. So sometimes the wireless connection is weak.
Wife heard that the router should not really be in a corner close to a wall.
But the wire that connects the router to the PC is raher short so we cant really move the router to the middle of the room.
So we want the get a longer wire so he the router can still be connected to the PC, but then the router can be moved to the middle of the room.
So:
1. what is the type of wire we need to get to get a longer version of to connect the router to the PC?

A standard Cat 5 cable up to about 20' or 7m will work

2. Can we leave the wire power plug connected to the electrical outlet evenif we change the wire that connects to the PC?In essence can the router remain on even if it is disconected from the pc?

Yes, but it is recommended that you turn off electrical devices when making connection changes. Static and or surges can cause problems

3. I've asked this before, but if the router is disconnected and then reconnected to the PC, do passwords need to be reset?

The disconnect and reconnect should not require you to change/reset any passwords.

I would recommend that you shut down the modem, router and computer. Make all of your cabling change and move the router to its new home, then apply power to the cable modem, router and PC. Check your connections and access. All should be well.

Keep us posted

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[Calls]

I think my modem and router are on the same device.
also, I think I may have to move the router/modem to a different location and electrical outlet in the room. so the modem will have to be unplugged from the power outlet for a few mins.
And I don't know why I keep getting stuck on this issue, but If I unplug the modem/router, Do I need to reset the password ( for the connection to the PC and for the wireless?connectio)?
Don't know why I cant grasp that part sorry

[Calls]

Sorry, I cant edit my post from my phone.
I know the disconnect/reconnect of the router to the PC DOES NOT require password reset.
But if Router is powered off and in turned off or unplugged from power source, would that require password reset?

[huwyngr Norton Fighter]

<< Wife heard that the router should not really be in a corner close to a wall. >>

I'ven ever heard that so I wonder where she heard this and how reliable the source is before you make the change.

The most important factors if you are having problems linking to the iPhone are likely to be the distance between the two antennae and whether the walls -- if there are any between the two units -- are for example concrete block or plasterboard.

What sort of distances are you talking about between the router and the iPhone?

[huwyngr Norton Fighter]

<< But if Router is powered off and in turned off or unplugged from power source, would that require password reset? >>

Given that on occasion my ISP when doing some online troubleshooting with my connection has had be push the reset button or unplug the power for 20 seconds in order to reset the connection and the system then works again without me having to enter passwords again I would say that you should be OK on the passwords.

But you do have them written down safely somewhere don't you?

[dickevans Super RootKit Eradicator]

Calls,

[my experience only]

Neither the modem nor the router require password resets if they are only turned off [regardless of the time length] and turned on again. The various devices that connect to it should be good as well.

As Hugh mentioned you have to push the reset button [usually well protected] to flush the password from the memory of the router.

The router being against an outside wall, with the wireless component active, only means that the signal outside the house/apartment at that point will be stronger than if the device is away from the wall. [there is a nice formula for determining the signal loss based on distance and obstructions but if I knew it decades ago I have since forgotten all but the fact that it exists]

Keep asking we'll keep trying to respond

[huwyngr Norton Fighter]

Dick,

Just so I understand correctly -- using the reset button that "flushes the password" refers to the password for accessing the "Control Panel" of the router -- default admin on Linksys very often.

It does not alter any security settings to do with accessing the internet? Although obviously it does open it up for security changes too.

TIA because I'd never thought atbout the consequences of being asked to reset by my ISP techies.

[Calls]

Thanks all

I have come to find out from my wife that she is not changing the wire from the router to the PC. Instead she is adding an extension cable from the current cable to the router/modem.
Now she bought some cable:
quad shield coax cable.
Don't we need a special cable if we are extending our current cable connection?

[dickevans Super RootKit Eradicator]

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Calls wrote:
Thanks all

I have come to find out from my wife that she is not changing the wire from the router to the PC. Instead she is adding an extension cable from the current cable to the router/modem.
Now she bought some cable:
quad shield coax cable.
Don't we need a special cable if we are extending our current cable connection?

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Calls,
The wire/cable from the wall to the modem for DSL is network cable. If it is a high speed/broadband connection then that will be a coax cable. It sounds like the cable she purchased. If possible use a single length of cable between the two points. Connections cause losses in signal strength. The connection from the modem to the router will be a network cable [8 wires] The connection from the router to any of your wired devices will also be network cable.

Hope this helps