better connection for laptop with old router?

yo-boy · 09-03-2009, 01:06 PM

When I connect to the internet wireless (thanks to simpswr) on my laptop, I get a really low signal! My router only has one antenna and is realllllly old (Linksys WRT54GP2)! I don't have that much money to buy a new router and I cant move my router because it is connected to my desktop pc. My router is also underneath my desk and I don't have money to buy a wireless network adapter and I dont want to put my laptop in the same room as my desktop. Is there a way to increase the signal without paying much?

gcavan · 09-04-2009, 03:16 AM

Any object or wall/floor that the wireless signal must pass through will reduce its strength. Metal objects like a desk or a refridgerator will often stop it entirely. Wood and plastics will pass RF signals but will still reduce it.

Try raising the router higher in the room or place it in a postion where the signal to your laptop would have the clearest path. If necessary use a longer ethernet cable to the pc ($12 or so for a 3m)

Like your pc, excessive heat can kill your router. Make sure that it is off the carpet and that it is not covered over by other objects.
Aside to this, I keep my own router positioned high in a wooden armoire style cabinet. It would often suddenly drop wireless and ethernet during hot weather. My fix was to set rig an old socket A heatsink with a usb powered fan.

Also, remember that other wireless devices can and do interfere with each other. Make sure that the router is using a clear channel.

yo-boy · 09-04-2009, 01:14 PM

wats the best channel?

09-03-2009, 01:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
yo-boy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 12 OS: windows vista	better connection for laptop with old router? When I connect to the internet wireless (thanks to simpswr) on my laptop, I get a really low signal! My router only has one antenna and is realllllly old (Linksys WRT54GP2)! I don't have that much money to buy a new router and I cant move my router because it is connected to my desktop pc. My router is also underneath my desk and I don't have money to buy a wireless network adapter and I dont want to put my laptop in the same room as my desktop. Is there a way to increase the signal without paying much? Last edited by yo-boy; 09-03-2009 at 01:07 PM.

09-04-2009, 03:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
gcavan Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 300 OS: Win XP, Vista 64, "Intrepid" Ubuntu My System	Re: better connection for laptop with old router? Any object or wall/floor that the wireless signal must pass through will reduce its strength. Metal objects like a desk or a refridgerator will often stop it entirely. Wood and plastics will pass RF signals but will still reduce it. Try raising the router higher in the room or place it in a postion where the signal to your laptop would have the clearest path. If necessary use a longer ethernet cable to the pc ($12 or so for a 3m) Like your pc, excessive heat can kill your router. Make sure that it is off the carpet and that it is not covered over by other objects. Aside to this, I keep my own router positioned high in a wooden armoire style cabinet. It would often suddenly drop wireless and ethernet during hot weather. My fix was to set rig an old socket A heatsink with a usb powered fan. Also, remember that other wireless devices can and do interfere with each other. Make sure that the router is using a clear channel.

09-04-2009, 01:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
yo-boy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 12 OS: windows vista	Re: better connection for laptop with old router? wats the best channel?