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Post by j2callie on Sept 5, 2016 16:53:58 GMT -5
Hi guys, I found a free program that purported to combine available WiFi networks in order to use both to increase internet speed. I'm not sure I understand exactly how it works and, although the support folks have been very helpful, it hasn't quite worked for me. They say Speedify is a cloud service for Mac & PC users that combines all the Internet connections available to your computer to create a single fast super-connection. It's 1GB of free usage every month to see Speedify in action or for occasional use and then a subscription for more GB. I have the slowest internet in the world I'm sure but thought I'd use this at least when I want to watch a video or listed on audio --- neither of which I can do at the moment. Here's the part I can't get to work so I hope someone can help me with it. support.speedify.com/article/117-how-to-combine-two-wi-fi-internet-connectionsI have Windows 10 two wifi networks in range and bought a USB wifi dongle, as recommended but it doesn't show up in Netork connections. I'm supposed to be able to "bridge" the connections?  . Any ideas? Thanks Callue |
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drcard
Software Review Panel
Posts: 581 
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Post by drcard on Sept 6, 2016 20:42:58 GMT -5
Hi Callue,
The adapter has to appear in the Network connections. The adapter is either not working or is not recognized by the network connection wizard.
Make sure the USB plug on the PC that the adapter is plugged into is powered. Some front connectors on some PCs are not powered.
If powered and displays in Device Manager, then run the Network troubleshooter to see if a connection can be made.
The network manager will bridge the two connections once your network is connected to both adapters.
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Post by j2callie on Sept 6, 2016 23:51:58 GMT -5
Thanks drcard,
I'm going to buy another dongle (and pay more for it this time). This one did show up once upon a time but I couldn't get it to bridge. Finding a powered port will be the next challenge. I have a laptop with only 2 USB ports so have a hub. If it has a light, does that mean it's powered? or only if it has an external source?
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drcard
Software Review Panel
Posts: 581
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Post by drcard on Sept 7, 2016 19:58:16 GMT -5
Hi Callue,
The dongle you have may be bad, but I do need to point some things out for you to consider.
If I understand you correctly, you have an external USB hub to allow more than 2 USB connections and this external hub has a light indicating that it is working? Does that mean that the external hub does not have a power connection to a power outlet such as external drives do?
The reason for the questions is that the 2 USB plugs on the laptop will be powered, but to save battery time and prevent too much power going to the USB ports; the power of laptop USB ports is a bare minimum to run an external device that requires a powered plug. Thus, when you use an external hub that is not powered by an external power supply (the light only indicates that the hub is getting power from the laptop and is connected) the power from the laptop port is split between plugs on the hub. Thus, for a 4 port hub each plug is getting only 1/4 the the power that the laptop plug is putting out. The answer may be that the dongle isn't getting enough power to run. You can check this out by connecting the dongle directly into the laptop plug and see it it works then. OR (and I highly recommend this for other reasons) Replace the hub with a powered hub so all USB devices that require power will work through the hub. Something to consider.
Once the dongle is recognized as a WiFi connection, bridging them is a very simple setting in Windows (works on Windows 7 & 8).
Go to the Control Panel and select Network and Sharing Center which opens the Network connections window.
In the left panel select Change adapter settings. This opens a window showing the network adapters...the one for your laptop and the one for the dongle.
Select each of these adapters so that both are highlighted.
Right click either one of these highlighted adapters and the context menu will open.
Select Bridge Connections and windows will bridge the two selected adapters (Windows can bridge more than 2 connections).
Windows will display a message that it is bridging the adapters and when the bridge is complete.
The key to all this is getting the USB WiFi adapter to be recognized by windows or it will not appear in the Change adapters settings window and thus can't be bridged.
Just a side note about what you are trying to do. While having two connections sounds like it would decrease your download time in half, splitting data over two connections and reassembling will eat up some of that time you saved. Also utilizing a cloud service to retrieve internet data at a high speed to transfer data to your two connections will create lag time. Thus, don't be disappointed if the speed boost you get isn't twice what you used to have but only about 1.5 times as fast.
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