Im no whiz when it comes to networking so i figured id ask u guys. I got verizon fios about a year and a half ago now, but since then ive switched to Optimum. I still use the router that verizon had hooked up for me. My 360/Wii/PS3 connections have been fine until about 2 weeks or so ago. My router is in my basement, 2 floors away from my room with my consoles in it. Maybe im having problems because they're are so many things hooked up to it (PC, laptop, two 360's, a Wii and PS3, and maybe more that i don't even know about). Do i have to get a new router, and which would be the best for me to get? Would i be able to hook the new router up or would i have to call someone to install it for me? Thanks ahead of time

What kind of problems are you having and are you having most of your problems over wireless? There are a variety of things that could be happening here:

(1) someone could be using your wireless connection or something could be interfering with it. 2.4ghz wireless is interfered with by bluetooth, including your controllers, some cordless phones/baby monitors, other wireless access points (only 3 channels are orthogonal -- the rest interfere), microwaves, florescent bulbs, etc.

Always use wired where possible, of course. It's better in every way except ease of physical connections.

(2) Xbox Live requires you to forward ports to your Xbox 360 to have an "open" connection. Your router probably only allows you to forward these ports for one of your Xbox 360s. Make sure you are getting an open connection on whichever 360 you are using for Live. You can check this in the dashboard under system->network.

(3) Someone on your network could be uploading a lot which would choke your connection (the network needs to send acknowledgments that it gets information -- if those are delayed, everything will suck). Ensure that none of the machines are running p2p applications like bittorrent or kazaa.

One way to start is to disconnect everything but your Xbox 360 on Live! and test that. If it's good, then the problem could be coming from one of the other machines.

yea...all my consoles are hooked up wirelessly...im trying to understand what ur saying but im not up to par with all the terminology.

Wireless transmits over the air using a frequency.  If other things are transmitting on that frequency, they can interfere with the wireless signal and cause things to suck.

The first thing you want to do is turn off or disable all of the devices but one and see if that one device works well.  If that thing works well, then one of the other devices might be causing interference or might be using too much bandwidth.  An example of something using too much bandwidth would be a computer running bittorrent or any file sharing/P2P program or uploading something.

What you need to first determine is if the problem is your wireless being overcommitted or if it is your Internet being overcommitted, as these are the likely causes.

Examples of things that might overcommit your wireless are you running devices that interfere, such as microwaves, florescent bulbs, other wireless access points in your apartment or building, bluetooth devices including console controllers, baby monitors, cordless phones, etc.

The thing is, wireless sucks for gaming.  Avoid it whenever possible.

However, for this case, first turn off the computers and see if your internet still sucks.

aight man thanks...ill turn my comp off to see if thats the problem