Internet Archives - Page 2 of 14

How to quickly find out if your Internet service is down (without calling your ISP)

Posted on October 30, 2025

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Unfortunately, Internet outages are to be expected from time to time.

Storms knock down transmission lines, backbone cables get cut via construction mishaps, routing and switching gear go belly up… the reasons for Internet outages are many.

The thing is, when your Internet stops working it can be hard to determine whether the problem is an actual Internet outage or an issue you’re having with your own modem, your router and/or your connected devices. [Read more…]

How to extend a wired Ethernet connection to a distant room without running any wires

Posted on October 23, 2025

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Accessing a high speed Internet connection from a distant room can be a challenge.

Wi-Fi signals diminish with distance, and they weaken further as they pass through walls and/or floors on the way to a distant computer.

There are several ways to extend your Internet connection to a distant room. Here are the two most common methods: [Read more…]

Q&A: Which is better, Wi-FI or a wired Ethernet connection?

Posted on October 19, 2025

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Question from Kalin: I really love your blog Rick, especially how you answer people’s tech questions.

I know that most of the questions you answer are practical in nature but mine is somewhat theoretical so I hope you won’t mind answering it for me.

The question is this: If you have a choice, do you prefer using a wired Ethernet connection or Wi-FI to connect to the Internet? [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I find out how much data each app on my PC is using?

Posted on September 28, 2025

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Question from Gary: My ISP has notified me that I have exceeded the monthly data allotment for my Internet plan and that I might have to pay extra this month.

I don’t understand this because I only use the Internet for about 1 to 2 hours per day and I don’t do much streaming at all other than watching an occasional YouTube video.

I only have one computer using my WiFi connection. No phones or tablets use WiFi, just this one computer. There is nothing connected via a wired connection either.

I’m hoping you can help me find out what’s using all that data? [Read more…]

Q&A: Would using a powerline networking adapter make my Internet faster?

Posted on September 27, 2025

Question from Jamey: Hi Rick. I hope you can answer a question for me.

My Internet is a lot slower than it should be. I’m supposed to be getting 200 Megs for downloads but according to SpeedTest.net it’s only about 6 Megs even with my desktop computer connected directly to the modem.

Nothing else is connected at all to the Internet at all, not even with WiFi. [Read more…]