Notices
Computer & Technology Related Post here for help and discussion of computing and related technology. Internet, TVs, phones, consoles, computers, tablets and any other gadgets.

Boosting Wireless strength

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 10, 2007 | 11:25 PM
  #1  
cookstar's Avatar
cookstar
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 33,828
Likes: 0
From: Stroke it baby!
Default Boosting Wireless strength

Sorry computer newb here.

Can you in anyway increase the wireless range of your PC?



Cookie
Reply
Old May 10, 2007 | 11:40 PM
  #2  
mike1210's Avatar
mike1210
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,928
Likes: 0
From: Cardiff
Default

My first thoughts would be high gain ariels on the router itself, may be able to do the same for the PC antenna also. What router do you have

Boost Wireless Range - How To Expand the Range of a WiFi Network

worth a gander
Reply
Old May 10, 2007 | 11:42 PM
  #3  
Northern Nick's Avatar
Northern Nick
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
From: Up-North Like!
Default

look out with boosting the range as your making it easier for outsiders to use your broadband if security isn't that good
Reply
Old May 10, 2007 | 11:43 PM
  #4  
hectic's Avatar
hectic
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 19,965
Likes: 0
From: *R.I.P Heccers.. its been a blast!
Default

Tinfoil hat?
Reply
Old May 10, 2007 | 11:53 PM
  #5  
WRX_Rich's Avatar
WRX_Rich
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 0
From: Worcester
Default

hope you like crisps

BBC News | SCI/TECH | Hacking with a Pringles tube
Reply
Old May 10, 2007 | 11:55 PM
  #6  
cookstar's Avatar
cookstar
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 33,828
Likes: 0
From: Stroke it baby!
Default

I havent got access to the router
Reply
Old May 10, 2007 | 11:56 PM
  #7  
mike1210's Avatar
mike1210
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,928
Likes: 0
From: Cardiff
Default

Originally Posted by cookstar
I havent got access to the router
Reply
Old May 10, 2007 | 11:58 PM
  #8  
cookstar's Avatar
cookstar
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 33,828
Likes: 0
From: Stroke it baby!
Default

Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 12:00 AM
  #9  
Sonic''s Avatar
Sonic'
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 9,277
Likes: 0
From: Couch Spud
Default

Originally Posted by Northern Nick
look out with boosting the range as your making it easier for outsiders to use your broadband if security isn't that good
Something makes me thing it is the reverse for cookstar
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 12:01 AM
  #10  
Northern Nick's Avatar
Northern Nick
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
From: Up-North Like!
Default

I was just thinking that

Try moving closer to the wall
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 12:02 AM
  #11  
cookstar's Avatar
cookstar
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 33,828
Likes: 0
From: Stroke it baby!
Default

lol

come on lads there must be a way
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 12:30 AM
  #12  
boxst's Avatar
boxst
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Nov 1998
Posts: 11,905
Likes: 0
Default

This actually works if you have an external antenna: instructables : DIY WIFI Antenna Reception Booster



Steve
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 09:11 AM
  #13  
Northern Nick's Avatar
Northern Nick
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
From: Up-North Like!
Default

That looks like a sofa from ikea for the hamsters of the egg card advert
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 09:20 AM
  #14  
WRX_Rich's Avatar
WRX_Rich
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 0
From: Worcester
Default

Originally Posted by cookstar
lol

come on lads there must be a way

serious try the pringles tube, was very handy when my tescos broadband was playing up
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 11:33 AM
  #15  
kingofturds's Avatar
kingofturds
Scooby Regular
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 17,376
Likes: 6
From: Zanzibar
Default

I just extended my antenna so It could sit on the garage roof when my broadband was playing up, It gave me access to 3 networks 2 of which were unsecured. Although I never actually used these networks
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 11:35 AM
  #16  
cookstar's Avatar
cookstar
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 33,828
Likes: 0
From: Stroke it baby!
Default

Originally Posted by kingofturds
I just extended my antenna so It could sit on the garage roof when my broadband was playing up, It gave me access to 3 networks 2 of which were unsecured. Although I never actually used these networks

Can you just get an antenna to plug into the laptop, mine is internal
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 11:39 AM
  #17  
Northern Nick's Avatar
Northern Nick
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
From: Up-North Like!
Default

You could try getting a PCMCIA and using that as they normally have a stronger aireal.
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 11:42 AM
  #18  
cookstar's Avatar
cookstar
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 33,828
Likes: 0
From: Stroke it baby!
Default

Originally Posted by Northern Nick
You could try getting a PCMCIA and using that as they normally have a stronger aireal.

did ya not read the computer nebie bit


whats one of them then
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 11:47 AM
  #19  
Northern Nick's Avatar
Northern Nick
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
From: Up-North Like!
Default

Its a wireless card that slots into the side of your laptop, similar size to a credit card but a bit thicker. Nearly all laptops have 1 port for a PCMCIA card to fit to.

Example on ebay for you:

Wireless Card

Just find one with a good range, this one says its 100m indoor - 300m outdoors.
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 11:50 AM
  #20  
cookstar's Avatar
cookstar
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 33,828
Likes: 0
From: Stroke it baby!
Default

Originally Posted by Northern Nick
Its a wireless card that slots into the side of your laptop, similar size to a credit card but a bit thicker. Nearly all laptops have 1 port for a PCMCIA card to fit to.

Example on ebay for you:

Wireless Card

Just find one with a good range, this one says its 100m indoor - 300m outdoors.

thanks mate, what range would my internal one have compared to that?

Dell Inspiron 6000 if that makes any difference
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 11:50 AM
  #21  
kingofturds's Avatar
kingofturds
Scooby Regular
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 17,376
Likes: 6
From: Zanzibar
Default

Originally Posted by cookstar
Can you just get an antenna to plug into the laptop, mine is internal
You can get a usb antenna for your laptop,not sure how good they are though. How does weather affect signal? on a half decent day I can pick up a few wireless networks from inside my house, however when its fecking it down with rain I get zilch
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 11:55 AM
  #22  
Northern Nick's Avatar
Northern Nick
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
From: Up-North Like!
Default

Originally Posted by cookstar
thanks mate, what range would my internal one have compared to that?

Dell Inspiron 6000 if that makes any difference
No offence but dell aren't know to fit anything that isn't needed so probably 10m but I dont honestly know

You may even struggle for a PCMCIA port but it should have one.
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 11:57 AM
  #23  
cookstar's Avatar
cookstar
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 33,828
Likes: 0
From: Stroke it baby!
Default

Originally Posted by Northern Nick
No offence but dell aren't know to fit anything that isn't needed so probably 10m but I dont honestly know

You may even struggle for a PCMCIA port but it should have one.

theres a black plastic card type thingy that slides out if you push a button, does this sound like where a card should go.
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 12:48 PM
  #24  
RoadrunnerV2's Avatar
RoadrunnerV2
Scooby Regular
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
Default

I'd opt for a range extender instead of replacing the wireless card.

The ebay person advertising the wireless adapter that can go 100m-300m indoors should be shot. I bet it couldn't go 25m let alone 100m in an typical home.
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 06:34 PM
  #25  
Northern Nick's Avatar
Northern Nick
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
From: Up-North Like!
Default

Originally Posted by cookstar
theres a black plastic card type thingy that slides out if you push a button, does this sound like where a card should go.

That'll be where it goes mate

Distances will depend on lots of this like wall thickless, electrical interferance.
My old linksys network card used to cover about 30m from my house to my garage OK so I guess it depends on how far you need to go to get your connection
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 08:58 PM
  #26  
cookstar's Avatar
cookstar
Thread Starter
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 33,828
Likes: 0
From: Stroke it baby!
Default

Originally Posted by Northern Nick
That'll be where it goes mate

Distances will depend on lots of this like wall thickless, electrical interferance.
My old linksys network card used to cover about 30m from my house to my garage OK so I guess it depends on how far you need to go to get your connection

30M should just about cover it, I havent tried mine yet but my collegue has said his laptop shows about 20%, so it is in range. Does that make sense?
Reply
Old May 11, 2007 | 10:40 PM
  #27  
Northern Nick's Avatar
Northern Nick
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,266
Likes: 0
From: Up-North Like!
Default

Originally Posted by cookstar
30M should just about cover it, I havent tried mine yet but my collegue has said his laptop shows about 20%, so it is in range. Does that make sense?

Yes mate, 20% is normaly said when discribing the quality of the singal so you will get a connection and it will work but it is close to loosing it like if somebody was to close a door or place a 3" thick lead sheet inbetween the router and the laptop

Know what I mean
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JimBowen
ICE
5
Jul 2, 2023 01:54 PM
psport
Subaru Parts
3
Oct 4, 2015 07:35 PM
Ganz1983
Subaru
5
Oct 2, 2015 09:22 AM
mistermexican
General Technical
2
Oct 1, 2015 04:30 PM
tjapplejuice
Drivetrain
9
Sep 25, 2015 03:46 PM




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:17 AM.