MikeO Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 Anyone any idea how to (cheaply) boost the wireless signal on a home network? I'm using my laptop a lot in the new cabin and want to eventually bring the PC down but the signal varies from low to very low with occasional cut-outs. Can live with it, the only time it's a real pain is when I get disconnected in the middle of a game of cards but it'd be nice to get it sorted so any tips would be appreciated . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 How far is the cabin from the wireless internet source? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted April 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 How far is the cabin from the wireless internet source? It's about 20 meters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevO Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 higher range wireless router would be my first port of call mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted April 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 higher range wireless router would be my first port of call mate That sounds like you've missed out the "cheaply" bit Steve (bloody thing's way over budget already ), was hoping for something involving silver foil and a coat hanger . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevO Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 coat hanger, wrapped in foil, push into usb port until stuck. works treat, im sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted April 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 coat hanger, wrapped in foil, push into usb port until stuck. works treat, im sure You the man Steve, I'll go try it now ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted April 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 Does anyone else smell burning ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest efctaxi Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 (edited) Edited April 10, 2009 by efctaxi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sporting4ever Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 coat hanger, wrapped in foil, push into usb port until stuck. works treat, im sure A Pringles can works too. Drill a whole in the bottom, put the antena trough it, and point it at the source... There's also antenas you can buy, that boost the signal ALOT... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFC-Paul Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 (edited) You have to be careful in what you try Mike some make shift Antenna's can make your router overheat so you could end up having to buy a new one The best way to have a strong connection that wont play up is to ditch the wireless idea and buy a 30m roll of ethernet cable just plug it into a port in the back of your router and feed it into your hideaway just run it around the edge of your garden and plug in when ready. I know its not wireless but you more then likely will never get a stronger connection as wireless is to tempramental just the thickness of the bricks of your home can have a huge effect on signal strength mate for the cost of the cable i would just link them up. You want a CAT5 cable if you run with this idea mate http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trk...-All-Categories Edited April 10, 2009 by EFC-Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 change your ISP to Sky, you get a free netgear router problem solved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy the blue Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 change your ISP to Sky, you get a free netgear router problem solved. My daughter can use her computer down the garden because we have one of those things attached to the main machine. Any way Mike get that grass cut you lazy sod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted April 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 change your ISP to Sky, you get a free netgear router problem solved. Very useful tip Louis, specially given the fact that you know I've just changed to BT so I'm tied to a contract, but I'll bear it in mind for next year . And grass cutting is the wife's department Jim, counts as landscaping and I'm manual labour....strict demarkation in operation here . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevO Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 jump ship fast mike! my ex had bt, they seemed much more expensive for what they offer, and bad times trying to cancel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFC-Paul Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 jump ship fast mike!my ex had bt, they seemed much more expensive for what they offer, and bad times trying to cancel. They are shite to be honest nearly as bad as Orange who have to be the worst provider in history <_< BE Broadband are good we have never had any problems what so ever with them https://www.bethere.co.uk/ http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirelesstips.mspx http://www.netcomm.com.au/products/adsl_br...LAYOUT_NAME=faq http://h20271.www2.hp.com/SMB-AP/cache/584...0-0-14-121.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevO Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 I had the problem with orange. signed up as they offered it free with my mobile, it took in total 3 months for it to be up and running. the modem was here in two days, but they kept saying there was faults with my line and that bt would be looking into it. when asking bt did they have record of faults on my line bring looked at they couldnt find any notes on their systems about it. when it was up and running id be lucky to get a good connection for a constant hour, with in two weeks i was trying to cancel. it took a written letter of complaint saying they had not fullfilled their end of the contract for them to pull the plug. called sky, modem next day, up and running on the 3rd day. netgear router, works every time. only costing £7.50 a month. not looked back, and great service as always with sky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 In fairness Mike, I did recommend Sky when you were looking around - not my fault you didn't listen I have done a bit of reading and apparently, if the bt router is set up to use channel 1 it means it's using it's lowest range. If you try changing it to channel 10/11 the range will increase. http://bt.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/bt.cfg/php/...;p_cats=346,502 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted April 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 In fairness Mike, I did recommend Sky when you were looking around - not my fault you didn't listen You did mate, and I didn't....don't remember why, there must have been a reason. BT were very efficient on the change-over, been reliable and they've tripled the speed I had before for much less money, so I've no complaints so far . I'll try the channel change though Louis, thanks. Does that free wi-fi work taxi? Downloaded it onto the laptop and can't get a cnnection here but I'm a bit rural. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 I thought it was illegal... I ahem knew someone who used to play Xbox Live on their neighbour's connection! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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