Advice for streaming setup only

Eljack, while the service may be having start up issues, if you are using WiFi, some of the drop out problems might be related to the speed and signal strength of your wifi router.

If you can, try hard wiring via Ethernet , to see if there is any reduction in drop outs.

I invested in NetGears N900 (their top of the line router a few years ago) and immediately had an improvement in all my wifi streaming services.

Best Buy and Computmart in Walnut Creek, CA sell laptop computers in your price range. Any computer you buy should have plenty of memory. Please see the links below:

http://www.compumart.biz/machines.asp?type=laptops

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?id=pcat17071&type=page&ks=960&st=categoryid%24pcmcat247400050000&sc=Global&cp=1&sp=-bestsellingsort%20skuidsaas&qp=brand_facet%3DBrand~Asus%5Ecurrentprice_facet%3DPrice~%24500%20-%20%24749.99&list=y&usc=All%20Categories&nrp=15&iht=n&browsedCategory=pcmcat247400050000&seeAll=

I agree with Mallen123 above that using Wi-Fi could be causing the drops out. I also suggest you use a wired Ethernet connection for streaming (I do). Please note that I was NOT able to run an Ethernet wire to my computer so I connected my Apple MAC Book Pro Computer (any computer will work okay) to the Internet using an Ethernet over power-line connection (internet over your existing power lines). It has proven to be a very reliable connection. Connection problems are very rare. My video system, dishwasher and other home appliances do NOT interfere when I am using the Ethernet over power connection for my MAC computer.

I am using the Linksys PowerLine Home Plug AV Kit (PLSK400) rated at to 200Mbps (Ethernet over power). The Linksys PowerLine Home Plug AV Kit (PLSK400) lets you pass through the existing power lines in your home or office into a high-speed network. There are many other Ethernet Adapter brands on the market but the PLSK400 was highly recommend by a networking friend of mine.

You mentioned above that you are not a computer expert. I suggest you hire someone to help you configure your computer and connection to the Internet. This person should verify that your existing router can handle your streaming requirements and that your wiring is okay. It might be well worth spending the money to get the right setup. In my case, my previous router was causing my streaming connection problems. I switched to an Apple router but there are other high quality routers on the market for you to look at. You should ask the dealer that you buy your computer from what high quality router they suggest assuming the one you have needs to be replaced (I do not know).

I hope the above helps. Please continue to ask questions to help you through this process.

Thanks - I've hooked up directly to my comcast DSL router and it shows a constant speed of 100 Mbps. With Wifi it varies from 65 to 130 Mbps.
I think either should be plenty for this application but I don't know.

I should point out that this worked perfectly via my iPhone 5, right out of the gate. Setup took about 30 seconds and all my saved music was imported.

Reading through your posts, I may have some ideas for you.

"My current PC laptop is old and on its last legs."

That usually means the software is more of a problem than the actual hardware. I know that you are not very good with computers, but if you have all the original CD's that came with your computer, its not too hard to just reinstall your OS. That will turn your computer back to the way it was when it was new. Windows OS gets slower and deteriorates with use over time. Doing a reinstall on an older computer makes a very big difference. I'm just guessing, but I would say 70-80% chance that will fix your problem. The cost would be 0.

Another simple and free option to try would be to download and run a light weight Linux distribution from a CD-R or a usb stick. Its very easy to do, and your time invested would be no more than an hour or so. You mentioned that your iphone works OK. Apple bases their OS's off software that's very similar in nature. If you're interested, just let me know and I'll tell you what to download and burn to a CD so you can try it.

If you end up needing a new PC, go to Best Buy's web site and look at the Asus Transformer Book T100TAF 10.1. Depending on options, the cost will be around $300-450. It runs a full version of Windows 8.1 and has a full size usb port. What's nice about this computer is that the screen comes off and it works like a regular 10 inch tablet. If you need it to be a PC for more functions, just plug it back into the base.