Best way to get internet?????

I have a main family computer on the first floor of my house. I just got a computer for the second story which I will use mainly for poker. I already have a wireless conection set up for my laptop, but it is unreliable, sometimes being full strength, other times not being able to connect at all. I went as far as buying a range expander which makes the signal stronger when I can get a connection, but I still can't always get one. What is the best way to get a reliable internet connection? I don't think getting a 70ft phoneline cord would help if I were to hook it up to my modem. Thanks

[smoore]

Ethernet. How does the main computer connect to the internet?

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Ethernet. How does the main computer connect to the internet?

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Cable modem. What is ethernet?

Ethernet cabling are the cables that connect the cable modem to the computer.

Buy a router, connect the cable modem to the WAN port, and connect both computers to the router using Ethernet cabling. This is the safest way to connect to the Internet for novice users. Wireless Internet sucks for online poker play, so run cable up the walls or down vents (if it doesn't violate building codes).

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Ethernet cabling are the cables that connect the cable modem to the computer.

Buy a router, connect the cable modem to the WAN port, and connect both computers to the router using Ethernet cabling. This is the safest way to connect to the Internet for novice users. Wireless Internet sucks for online poker play, so run cable up the walls or down vents (if it doesn't violate building codes).

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I heard the signal dies, plus I don't know how I would run wires from oppisite ends of a large house

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I heard the signal dies, plus I don't know how I would run wires from oppisite ends of a large house

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The signal dies from Ethernet cabling? You do realize that cable wires are run hundreds of miles across the country without significant signal loss, right? We're talking 100 feet or so.

If you don't want to run cabling, then wireless is the only option you have. Which sucks. So either put up with a bit of trouble now and wire it (which is infinitely more reliable and faster) or stick with wireless connections that drop out during hands.

If you're going to buy a long ethernet cable (which I think is the best thing to do), you can order them here:

http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...&Ne=502369

Not sure if these are the BEST prices-- but I've found Compusa to usually have very low prices on all types of cables.

You'll be looking for a Cat-5e RJ-45 cable.

Thanks for all the input, I just found out doing wired isn't really gona be possible so I went out and boguht the netgear range max router to replace a 54mpbs linksys, and wireless is working great...(knock on wood)

[wonderwes]

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Thanks for all the input, I just found out doing wired isn't really gona be possible so I went out and boguht the netgear range max router to replace a 54mpbs linksys, and wireless is working great...(knock on wood)

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A netgear runs good, but the Linksys wrt54g router is almost rock solid. I know people that have had issues with the netgear. See how it works out for you.

[Mempho]

I don't claim to be an expert on this so someone can correct me if I am wrong here, but....I have found that one of the key differences in the reliability of wireless connectivity is the whether the computer uses a plug-in wireless card or has Centrino internal wireless. I am an auditor and we frequently work with laptops out in the field. We also utilize an application called Citrix that requires a nearly uninterrupted internet stream (unlike browsing and much like an online poker client). Citrix normally "drops out" several times a day on those with plug-in wireless cards while the people with Centrino seem to have very few problems.

Does anyone have any experience to back up or dispute this?