Can the computer which is hooked up to your router affect your internet?

Question

If I have a crappy computer hooked up to my router will that, in turn, make my wifi signal crappy? I'm moderately technical, but I've tried a lot to make my wifi signal (my family uses Comcast, to my chagrin) better, and this is the last question my dad has before he'll switch ISPs. Thanks!

Answer 1

only if the one hooked up to the router is constantly downloading and hogging the band width, but that could be any computer hooked up to the router - wi-fi or wired.

there's a program called tcp optomizer that you may want to check out. if you're running xp it can speed up your connection to the router.

Answer 2

Define crappy. What are you describing when you want a "better" signal. Too little memory can hurt. Selection of browser will affect performance, but not signal quality.

Answer 3

Only in very special cases will a modern wireless router become slower due to one computer that is wirelessly connected to it.  Wifi signal is the signal strength of the connection between the computer and the router.  I'm pretty sure you're thinking about the speed of the connection between your router and Comcast, which is slower than the connection between your computer and your router.  Switch ISPs anyway though; Comcast sux.

So, no.

Answer 4

No, the only way that can happen is if that computer is downloading something or surfing the web other than that it can't. If you have a fast download speed then you shouldn't have a problem, and make sure your signal is encrypted because people can hop on your network and steal your bandwidth in return slowing down your internet or wifi dramatically.

Answer 5

well switching to DSL will only make it worse but no your wifi will be effected by distance, cordless phones, walls, microwaves, your router being near a CRT and anything else that would effect the signal. now if there is spyware on the PC that is running and eating up the bandwidth that could effect it which is easy to rule out just unplug the PCs cable and see if the connection improves

Answer 6

Your computer, in no way, affect the speeds of your wireless connection. If you are downloading something on your connected computer, it will affect your wireless device's internet speed.