Router vs Modem & Security combo (laptop, wifi, wireless, sounds)
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I'm glad this forum is here so I don't have to go in a store and ask a silly question. I have a wireless cable modem for the house. It is wired to my pc. I also connect wireless to the Wii and a laptop. Problem is I get a very weak signal at the far end of the house.
I've heard people say "upgrade the router".
Do I still need the cable modem?
Does one plug into the other?
What kind should I get? (I live in a one story brick rancher in the country)
What's the best way to secure these things (seeing a locked "wireless network")?
Sounds like you have a single box that is a cable modem and what is commonly referred to as a wireless router.
The "router" portion of this is what provides the security typically through NAT (network address translation) which only allows traffic in that is a response to a request that was sent out from one of your computer. That alone provides a lot of protection.
Wireless performance depends on the technology 'g' or 'n', distance, building construction, antenna orientations and a number of other factors. A different router may or may not help your weak connection at the far end of the house.
The thing is - are you still connecting fine despite the weak signal? As long as it connects, then it's not a big deal unless it's so low that it's getting interference (and thus dropped connections).
As for security, WPA is much more secure than WEP. Both your router and your devices must be able to be set for such to be implemented.
Sounds like you have a single box that is a cable modem and what is commonly referred to as a wireless router.
Yeah, it's a 2 year old one from the local cable company.
If they're the same thing, it sounds like I need to simply upgrade the piece from the local Box store.
The thing is - are you still connecting fine despite the weak signal? As long as it connects, then it's not a big deal unless it's so low that it's getting interference (and thus dropped connections).
As for security, WPA is much more secure than WEP. Both your router and your devices must be able to be set for such to be implemented.
The hard wired pc and Wii (closer to the modem) connect fine. It's when I try to use the laptop at the other end. It's a VERY weak signal and "times out" A LOT.
The hard wired pc and Wii (closer to the modem) connect fine. It's when I try to use the laptop at the other end. It's a VERY weak signal and "times out" A LOT.
Many things can interfere with a wireless signal, upgrading to a new wireless router may not fix the problem. Appliances, cordess phones, foil covered drywall, tin ceilings, wiring in the walls, the list of hazards goes on.
Another aspect ... if your neighbors have wireless on the same channel too, it could be interfering with your signal.
Download and install 'netstumbler', and make a note of what your current router's channel is. Then note if there are any other medium-to-strong networks that are on the same channel. If so, then that's your issue ... and to resolve it, just change your router to another channel (typically 1, 6, or 11).
Many things can interfere with a wireless signal, upgrading to a new wireless router may not fix the problem. Appliances, cordess phones, foil covered drywall, tin ceilings, wiring in the walls, the list of hazards goes on.
I do live in a older home and the thick walls have crossed my mind.
Try moving the rotuer (the device with the antenna) to a different location, if possible. The higher it is, the better (in general). You can also buy a repeater (such as this one) to boost the signal from the wireless transmitter.
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I'm glad this forum is here so I don't have to go in a store and ask a silly question. I have a wireless cable modem for the house. It is wired to my pc. I also connect wireless to the Wii and a laptop. Problem is I get a very weak signal at the far end of the house. 
