Getting low Bar's from router, can I use my old router?

Hi, I have just recently switched my broadband and they gave me a really crappy router with no ariel on it atall. My router is downstairs and i'm getting 2 bars from it.
Its really annoying as i'm paying for fast internet and not getting it.
Although before I switched over, I was on another broadband service which provided me with a Thompsons Speedtouch router which worked perfect., I had full bar's.

I have just switched from these and wondering, can I use my old router and it will still work with my current broadband service provider? or will it only work with my old broadband service provider?

Or do I have to use the crappy new one and buy some kind of signal booster (which i can't afford tbh)

Thanks

 

Normally you can use your old router, you have 2 options. One replace the one your ISP provide with the old one. Doing so may require your ISP to reset the line to pickup the new/different mac address. Or just have your old router use the new router's mac address, called cloning. The 2nd option would be to setup your old router as a AP. This requires your disabling DHCP (old router), and connecting through a lan port, not the wan.

 

Thank you for your reply. Could you give me some more detailed inscructions for on what i have to do for the second one please? sorry i'm a bit of a noob, lol.

 

I don't know anything about the Speedtouch router but the basic solution is this. DO ALL ADMIN WORK VIA CABLE, DO NOT USE WIRELESS FOR THIS.

First connect to the Speedtouch router admin page via net cable. Find where the lan DHCP settings are. You want to turn off DHCP on this router. Then you need to connect router to router via cat5e net cable, LAN to LAN, do not use the wan port on the speedtouch router. If it worked the main router should assign you an IP address. To test do a release and renew from your network port control panel. If it picks up a IP address it's good to go. Now test the wireless side.

Now this part is optional. You can assign a manual IP address to the Speedtouch WAN Port, if you want to connect router to router using the wan port on speed touch. I normally do not do this unless I'm needing all of the lan ports.

You may be able to use your old router by entering the new router's MAC address into old router (wan/internet port). If dsl you will need to put our login info the old router.

 

Thank you. I can't switch off my router for 7 days due to my ISP making my speed faster. I will report back when I've done this. Thank you for your answer though.