Shaw Wifi - strength of signal issues - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

cral12 · 07-31-2013, 08:11 PM

(hopefully not a Fata - I did see some threads that could potentially be amalgamated with this so feel free mods, but my question not really answered)

I chatted with Shaw customer concierge couple days ago

Issue: weak signal in many areas of the house (~1500 sq ft bungalow); in many areas of the house, surprisingly, various devices pick up the signals of neighbours as much stronger than or own (if our own even shows at all) - and from some neighbours across the road.

Solutions?
- "If you haven't already, you'll also want to try changing the channel on the modem to see if one performs better than another, and to minimize interference from the neighbours."

- "WiFi extender will work, although you'll want to check the price for one, if they are about the same as a stand alone router, you may want to just get a router."

So...should I go the route of a router or Wifi extender? Recommendations on specific device?

Thanks

Rathji · 07-31-2013, 08:20 PM

Have you tried to change the channel? Do you have access to an Android device? If so, use Wifi Analyzer.

I would go for the router if that doesn't work.

OldDutch · 08-01-2013, 08:24 AM

Honestly in my experience the range and throughput on those Saw WiFi modems is pretty low end compared to many after market routers.

My folks couldn't even have a Facetime chat sitting 10 feet from the Shaw WiFi. I gave them my old E4200 router and it is a massive improvement in range and speed.

Honestly, I would get one on sale, that you can return if needed. I would test it out. I am willing to bet even a $50 router will be night and day.

I'm sure some of us can give suggestions as to some good ones.

rd_aaron · 08-01-2013, 09:44 AM

Get a router and have Shaw bridge theirs. I used to get like 10Mbps on Wifi, and now with the new router from the same location in my place, I get about 47Mbps (on Broadband 50).

Rathji · 08-01-2013, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldDutch

Honestly in my experience the range and throughput on those Saw WiFi modems is pretty low end compared to many after market routers.

My folks couldn't even have a Facetime chat sitting 10 feet from the Shaw WiFi. I gave them my old E4200 router and it is a massive improvement in range and speed.

Honestly, I would get one on sale, that you can return if needed. I would test it out. I am willing to bet even a $50 router will be night and day.

I'm sure some of us can give suggestions as to some good ones.

Even the E900 from memex @ $40 is way better in my experience than the Shaw/Telus routers. Likely, you should consider a dual band option like the EA2700, which should only be slightly more expensive, and allow for those 5GHz devices to shine.

OldDutch · 08-02-2013, 08:52 AM

Here is a great deal.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...4ffa3da10ben02

Sliver · 08-02-2013, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldDutch

Here is a great deal.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...4ffa3da10ben02

Just bought it, thanks dude. I've been having the same problem as the OP.

cral12 · 08-02-2013, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldDutch

Here is a great deal.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...4ffa3da10ben02

Great! I'll pick this up on the weekend, hopefully, as well.

Many thanks!

MrMastodonFarm · 08-02-2013, 09:43 PM

Good find, thanks for posting that. Just in time to spend some bday gift cards too.

Caged Great · 08-02-2013, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliver

Just bought it, thanks dude. I've been having the same problem as the OP.

Same here. Thanks OP and OldDutch.

Enoch Root · 08-03-2013, 09:29 AM

to anyone who has picked this up ^... do you use VPNs? Has it ben working? One of the reviewers talked about how it couldn't handle them - if not, then it is a no go for me.

Thanks

cral12 · 08-04-2013, 12:50 PM

Got the router, now to set up. Guess I have to contact Shaw. How did others find the setup went? Care to share any tips?

- I don't currently use VPNs.

GreatWhiteEbola · 08-04-2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cral12

Got the router, now to set up. Guess I have to contact Shaw. How did others find the setup went? Care to share any tips?

- I don't currently use VPNs.

1. Call Shaw and have them bridge their modem/router for a 3rd party router.

2. Insert D-Link disc supplied with router and follow instructions.

3. Get pissed off about it not working as per the instructions and manully set-up the router.

4. Enjoy.

I don't use a VPN, either.

cral12 · 08-04-2013, 01:46 PM

Thanks GWE - classic step by step approach.

cral12 · 08-04-2013, 03:58 PM

Success! Almost got to the latter part of #3, but retried and worked with CD. Now it's #4, hopefully all the way. Signal definitely improved. Thanks all!

MrMastodonFarm · 08-04-2013, 10:06 PM

How easy is it to hook up before you call Shaw? I just ordered mine online so will arrive end of the week. I'm pretty techy but routers are the devils hands

GreatWhiteEbola · 08-04-2013, 10:18 PM

I called Shaw, they had their side done in less than 5 minutes. Call Shaw then insert disc, then power up the router...

OldDutch · 08-05-2013, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

How easy is it to hook up before you call Shaw? I just ordered mine online so will arrive end of the week. I'm pretty techy but routers are the devils hands

Dangerous advice since I have not tried myself but... You should be able to turn on the router, plug it into one of the network ports, and set up a wifi network.

In theroy you should have 2 wifi networks in your house, Shaw and Dlink. Connect to dlink on you device. In theroy you should have internet. Now you can call shaw and get them to bridge/turn off wifi.

Massive disclaimer that this may not work, but I don't see why it shouldn't.

Plan B is to get them to switch it, and you can allways call back to back out af any time.

GoJetsGo · 08-05-2013, 01:30 PM

Could someone kindly explain what this means: "Call Shaw and have them bridge their modem/router for a 3rd party router"

Just curious if that's something Shaw does over the phone and what it entails?

Also, I live in an apartment and just have a shaw wireless modem and use a new macbook with no CD rom drive... will it be difficult to set up or do the instructions provide a fairly easy manual option?

As you can tell by my not knowing what the above means, I'm not the most tech savvy but I am picking one of these up today =)

GreatWhiteEbola · 08-05-2013, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Could someone kindly explain what this means: "Call Shaw and have them bridge their modem/router for a 3rd party router"

https://community.shaw.ca/docs/DOC-1311

Quote:

Originally Posted by link above

Setting your modem to Bridge Mode will cause your modem to stop acting as a Wireless Modem and router, and instead it will act simply as a pass through modem. This will allow you to use your own third party wireless device if you prefer. Once converted into Bridge Mode, you will not be able to utilize the wireless features of the Shaw Modem, and you will only be able to use as many ethernet ports on the back of the modem as you have IP's registered to your device (typically this means you will only be able to use one or two ethernet ports simultaneously).

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Also, I live in an apartment and just have a shaw wireless modem and use a new macbook with no CD rom drive... will it be difficult to set up or do the instructions provide a fairly easy manual option?

MAC and Linux users will have to follow the manual instructions regardless of the presence of a CD drive. The manual set-up instructions are included with the DIR-645 Router, and are fairly straight forward.