How to Boost Up Laptop Wireless Reception

Hi folks,

I added a DELL Bluetooth/WIFI card to my laptop Gateway M-6862 ... it works fine when I am within 50 feet of the Wireless Router and there is only one (1) wall in between me and the location of Router. My Signal Strength is 5 Full Bars (total available bars showing on the Icon in the Tray).

Now I am moving my office and I will have about 110 feet of distance and 5 or 6 walls in between and numerous partitions in those offices blocking me. Now my Signal Strength has dropped to 1 Bar ONLY.

Q1: With what I have now ... in my laptop ... what is the BEST way to Boost Up RECEPTION to my laptop from my end? I mean ways I can work out from my laptop. Please from Simplest to Hardest way!

Q2: If I use a USB WIFI Adapter to boost up my reception ... how does it work? Will it bypass my internal WIFI card or what?

Q3: What kind of Antenna should the USB type adapter have? For example I see some claim that a High Gain 5 dBi antenna is needed others say you need 10 dBi Gain!!! So what do I really need?

Q4: Any other ideas to get the most Signal from that far away? The easiest Solution please!

Q5: If I am able to do any Modification to the Wireless Router ... what would be the Best Solution?

Thanks,

G!

Hi folks,



Q1: With what I have now ... in my laptop ... what is the BEST way to Boost Up RECEPTION to my laptop from my end? I mean ways I can work out from my laptop. Please from Simplest to Hardest way!

In a lop top you can't just get an amplifier and a high gain ant. You can use a high gain USB card and ant. to boost your signal.

Q2: If I use a USB WIFI Adapter to boost up my reception ... how does it work? Will it bypass my internal WIFI card or what?

you must disable your internal card yourself in "networks connections" and enable your external card.

Q3: What kind of Antenna should the USB type adapter have? For example I see some claim that a High Gain 5 dBi antenna is needed others say you need 10 dBi Gain!!! So what do I really need?

with 200mw (24dbw) 5dbi should be good. More can be a problem. The higher the gain the more directional the ant.

Q4: Any other ideas to get the most Signal from that far away? The easiest Solution please!

The usb is the easiest and cheapest. I've got them for my costemers for as little as $35 The better ones are $60 or so.

Q5: If I am able to do any Modification to the Wireless Router ... what would be the Best Solution?

Thanks,

Hi Cpt Kirk,

Wow ... THANKS A BUNCH for your HELP!

BTW, my Gateway M6862 has built-in Intel Wi-Fi Link 4965 network connection (802.11a/b/g/n). Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit with SP1.

Q1: USB vs Adapter Card for laptop? Which one do you recommend? Cost no object ... since I have to keep for the long run?

I happen to be at Radio Shack today and I saw a LinkSys Range Plus Wireless Notebook Adapter with MIMO ... Model WPC100 for $69.99. See below

Linksys by Cisco RangePlus Wireless Notebook Adapter WPC100

Q2: Would the Adapter Card have a "Better" reception than my internal WIFI 4965 card?

Q3: Would the Adapter Card have a "Better" reception than a USB device wireless device?

Q4: What Brand of Adapter Extender Card is the Best? LinkSys or Buffalo or Hawking or ...?

Buffalo Adapter
Amazon.com: Buffalo WLI-CB-G54HP Wireless-G MIMO Performance Notebook Adapter: Electronics

Q5: What Brand of USB type is the best?

I personally added a Dell Wireless Bluetooth card with Antenna to my Gateway Laptop M-6862 ...

Dell : Dell 2.4 GHz Wireless 370 Bluetooth (2.1 + EDR) Mini-Card for Dell Studio 15 Laptop : Wireless/WiFi : Home & Home Office

Q6: Does this Wireless BT card that I added it's own antenna help my current Wireless intrenet reception? Or does it only help out with Bluetooth connection?

Q7: Do I need to disable this BT card also in Network Panel?

Q8: If I have to physically disconnect my internal Wireless Card ... is that the 4960 card? If so, do I even need it then in my laptop or should I take it out and sell it?

Thanks again for your Tremendous Help ... Sorry for the long message!

G!

you need a long range USB adapter like the eub-362 ext you can try everything even high power devices and not find a better adapter.

Keenan Systems Wireless Store Featuring Engenius

Hi Keenan,

Thanks for taking the time to post a reply to help me out.

Q1: Does this portable unit MIMO capable?
Someone told me that MIMO is the newest technology and is the way to go.

Q2: Do I need to diable my Intel 4965 wireless manually with this unit or this unit will do it automatically?

Q3: Is this unit better that the USB Flash looking type of Extender?

The reason that I ask someone was telling me that you can use the Falsh drive type you can use with Aluminum home-made Dish and get a better result!!! QUESTION: Is this true!?!?

Q4: Last but no the least I have never heard of EnGenius ... what kind of company is it?

Thanks,

G!