Samsung Captivate Galaxy questions

[Metalhead Matt]

As most of you know, ol' Metalhead and technology is a challenging mix. Finally picked up a smart phone, and it's bad to the bone. RCNT in it's true form, anywhere. I have a few questions about wifi signal strength. Basically, mine stinks and is erratic. We have a wireless modem, our house is fairly small and I'm never more than 30' away from it. It only pegs the signal when I'm in the same room as the modem. I've moved the modem around, got it out in the open more, but that doesn't help. I'd use the data network, but at@t service is fairly weak out here in the boonies too. Any ideas? Is there some sort of signal booster or app that can get me powered up? I just can't take much more of buffering videos. Thanks as always.

 

[slowngreen]

I have the same phone, love it. The moving backgrounds on it are sweet too. I use the data service and it picks up wifi any time I'm any where near a store or anything like that too. I've not had trouble with it staying connected.

 

[Metalhead Matt]

It is rad. I haven't even had much trouble with the touch screen. It amazes me that I can click on the smallest icons, like the post page numbers for instance. My finger definitely hits stuff around it, but it knows. SMART! Mine pics up wifi all over the place too. When I go into town, it'll grab a dozen signals at a time. Just weak at home. I usually get a fair signal strength and the speed is 54Mbps. One out of the 3 bars on wifi. I'm on the pc now with the phone sitting next to me and the signal is pegged. Walk 5ft away and back to one bar. It works fine half the time, other times it stops and loads for 25-30 seconds. Frustrating.

 

[slowngreen]

I'm like a year or so on mine and still have no trouble with the screen. And a case and screen protector are like $5 off ebay, which is awesome.

 

[Metalhead Matt]

Heck yeah. Must haves for me. I won't even take it in the garage yet. Getting this phone was years in the making. Didn't have to be though. I've been up for an upgrade since May of '08! Our internet is Frontier, and when the fellow came and hooked us up, he made no bones about the modems being fragile junk. We're on our third in a year. Maybe this is the issue.

 

[hamz9561]

Are you just using the modem or do you have an external router? I've that most modems (cable, wireless or DSL) have a fairly weak signal compared to some of the newer routers.

 

[Metalhead Matt]

Just the modem hamz.

 

[slowngreen]

The Netgear router I use I got used for $13 off ebay and I get signal clear out in the driveway from it. Maybe try picking up a used one.

 

[Metalhead Matt]

Sweet. Figured there was a simple solution. Thanks.

 

[hamz9561]

You'll probably want to look into one that has MIMO (multiple-in multiple out). That tends to have better range than just a single radio version.

 

[CptAwesome]

Everyone else beat me to it, but I was gonna say router. I used to have a similar problem (and the same phone) as you, and upgrading the router did the trick.

I ended up getting the Linksys WRT-610N. It has 2 wireless radios for each 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz, and the range I get out of it is incredible. I've actually seen people sitting at the top of my driveway on their laptops connected to MY wireless from over 800 feet away. Plus, it has a ton of features like USB NAS, FTP server, Media Server, etc. (if you use any of that).

You pay for what you get though... they can be pricey. If you're not looking to go insane like I did, then any newer router you get should work just fine, and can be had for ~$20

 

[Metalhead Matt]

Thanks for the direction fellas.

 

[hamz9561]

We can also help learn how to secure it to keep everyone that is not in your family out of it.

 

[godale03]

I got beat to this one as well. Definitely sounds like the router and like hamz said... getting a standalone wifi router is the way to go.

 

[bergoff]

There is an app for free. Wifi analyzer it will tell you what channel your router is broadcasts better and also signal strength. What are your walls made of in your house? Mine is plaster and lath so my range stinks some what. I was also fighting wifi issues. I bought a linksys n router and set it up without using the stupid disk and its much better. Wifi can be a pain sometimes microwaves and 2.4ghz phones will affect them alot. If you didn't live 2hrs away I would just stop over and fix it.

 

[Metalhead Matt]

2hrs? You make it in 45 minutes when I give ya yer stuff back fixed. We are do to hang man.

 

[bergoff]

Yeah I was pumped.