Another stupid computer question

[trem1]

Right here goes with another computer question..
On Google Chrome how can i increase the searchbar text size and would that also increase the bookmarks text size its a bit smaller than i would like and im sure it was larger than this yesterday................yep i been messing

[FarmerPug]

er, lets see try going to chromes settings, i can do a guide with print screens but its a different version for mac. Find themes, and reset the theme to default, it might help

[trem1]

er, lets see try going to chromes settings, i can do a guide with print screens but its a different version for mac. Find themes, and reset the theme to default, it might help

thanks but it didnt work any more idea's???

[FarmerPug]

well ive looked at it and i dont see any option on my mac version of chrome for resizing the buttons.

[jasper5]

Any help with my computer problem would be gratefully received

I have Virgin cable internet and a wireless router, recently (seems around the time I bought my new laptop) I can't connect to the internet at one side of the room, from about 8 feet from next door all is well.

When I check for connections there are 4 available (secure) connections. Could it be they are interfering with my router and if so, is there anything I can do to rectify the problem?

My router is in the front bedroom directly above the living room, so, only a few feet away.

[mjb]

Go into the router settings (http://192.168.1.1 or similar in a web browser) and change the wireless channel used. More likely than not one of those other wireless networks is using the same channel as you and causing interference...

[sirwiggum]

Do you use any 2.4GHz TV send units or cordless phones?

These can also interfere with wireless internet reception.

As suggested, try different channels.

[highlander]

My router is in the front bedroom directly above the living room, so, only a few feet away.

Only a few feet, plus a ceiling... is there much in the way of metal in the space between the living room ceiling and bedroom floor?

Also, do you have any other radio-based devices in the house (by which I mean things like wireless speakers, wireless video sender (for showing Sky on a TV in a different room, or streaming video from a PC to a TV))? DECT cordless phones?

I try to avoid using wireless around my flat because the transfer rates suffer when you put a couple of walls in the way. For PCs in other rooms, I use these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00297IPY0/r ... B00297IPY0

They use the electrical wiring in your home to provide fixed-LAN infrastructure at speeds of 85 Mbit/sec between host PCs (the more expensive ones offer speeds of up to 200 Mbit/sec, but 85 does me just fine). And the great thing is, they are literally plug and play - you connect your router to one of them (they even include the RJ-45 CAT5e UTP network patch leads), then connect your PC to another. The pack I gave a link to has 3 of them, but you get 2-packs and 4-packs too. You can also buy them individually to expand on an existing setup.

You don't need to worry about wireless keys, interference, distance, channels, etc. Your PC will behave just like you connected a long network cable straight from your network card right up to your router, but your home won't have any of the unsightly cabling mess or the trip hazards.

[mjb]

powerline ethernet isn't usually the best solution for laptops...

...or people with washing machines, dishwashers or tumble driers
...or people with neighbours with the above
...or power tools
...or computers on UPSs
...

[highlander]

I use surge-protected power strips, and Powerline works through them.

I also have (and use!) my washing machine, tumble dryer, fridge, freezer, television, hifi, multiple computers (I have a server, two desktop PCs, a laptop), PS3, a couple of Cisco routers, vacuum cleaner, etc. No issues. None.

My neighbours (two flats above mine, one below, and four flats on the opposite side of the same building) also use their electricals and cause me no issues.

[FarmerPug]

is there any way to extend the range of my wifi router?

[jasper5]

All sorted now

Thanks mjb, I changed the channel and all is well

Many thanks for the other suggestions guys, much appreciated

[sirwiggum]

is there any way to extend the range of my wifi router?

Get a repeater of the same brand as the router.

You could even set it in a room beside a piece of equipment that doesn't have a built in wifi adaptor but can use ethernet connectivity (eg. some TVs, consoles, oldish laptops / desktops)

[FarmerPug]

the routers a bt home hub 1? and its inconveniently placed out in the farm office, but my granny wants internet access to learn to use the computer, the house is about 25m away from the yard.