How do I improve the wireless connection strength?

[hamamelis]

We got dsl last month (finally!) and got a combination modem/router with the setup. I am in the next room away from it and the connection shows as "very low" I usually get that or low. Never good or excellent, which I do get at work.

Should I get another router and use it in addition to the router/modem we already have? Where would it be connected- before or after the modem? I got a giftcard from staples for my birthday and am looking at the sale flyer that they have in this weeks paper- there's a netgear one for 40 (regularly 80) and a linksys for 119 (which is a lot more than I want to spend). I'm hoping the netgear one is what would be appropriate for what our needs are.


And something unrelated to the router but I just thought of it- why is it when I'm at work and try to access the server for my webpage I can't get to it at all? We're working on re-doing the schools page and I'm hosting it temporarily on my site until we're ready to go live. Sometimes on Friday afternoons I don't have any kids and could use that time to work on the page but cannot access it, which is frustrating. I've not tried from the schools desktop, but that's because I've got it bookmarked on the laptop and am too lazy to type in the address. :rolleyes:

[Storymama]

You can get something called Wireless Extender (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=wireless+extender). It's like a repeater for the signal from the router. You put it near where you want better signal, rather than connected to the router.

Is this the new laptop, with built in wi-fi?

I would investigate moving the router closer to where you work, though. Could you get the DSL installed in that room?

[hamamelis]

You can get something called Wireless Extender (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=wireless+extender). It's like a repeater for the signal from the router. You put it near where you want better signal, rather than connected to the router.

Is this the new laptop, with built in wi-fi?

I would investigate moving the router closer to where you work, though. Could you get the DSL installed in that room?

We have it setup on the desktop. There's no place in the area where the laptop is to set up the dsl router, unfortunately. Yes, it does have a built wi-fi and blutooth. I'll look at the link now, thanks.

[Storymama]

You might call the DSL company and ask them to recommend a compatible brand of wi-fi extender, if you go that route. I've had some frustrating setups mating (for example) a Linksys router to a D-Link extender. (It can be done, but you have to connect it directly to a computer, interface with the device's web admin page, change its internal IP address, etc. Painful.)

My cable modem is by the TV in the LR, since that's where the cable comes in. So I cut a small slit into a (cheap, but pretty) basket, and ran wires through the hole. The modem and router live in the basket on top of the TV armoire, and you can only tell if you look closely, and see blinky lights through the open weave LOL.

[hamamelis]

My cable modem is by the TV in the LR, since that's where the cable comes in. So I cut a small slit into a (cheap, but pretty) basket, and ran wires through the hole. The modem and router live in the basket on top of the TV armoire, and you can only tell if you look closely, and see blinky lights through the open weave LOL.

Now I might be able to do that, but will that affect the directv hookup, since that requires a phone line? But but but, I'll need to get something to get the desktop to work, too, since that is the computer that DH and DD uses.

[Storymama]

Well, it sounds like you'll have to boost it in the other direction even if you do move it closer to yourself, so you're not really any better off. (OTOH, the desktop may be able to get a stronger wi-fi signal, with a standard Wi-Fi adapter (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124115), instead of the tender little parts that laptops typically have.

[hamamelis]

Check out what I just found M, when looking for something completely unrelated (the signals/wireless catalogs websites, LOL) how timely!

http://lifehacker.com/software/how-to/boost-your-wireless-signal-with-a-homemade-wifi-extender-296367.php

[Storymama]

I love lifehacker! That's some . . . hack, LOL!

Are you gonna try it? I have thought about using a freeware install for firmware, though. I am interested in Tomato (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Tomato_Firmware#Supported_devices).

[hamamelis]

I love lifehacker! That's some . . . hack, LOL!

Are you gonna try it? I have thought about using a freeware install for firmware, though. I am interested in Tomato (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Tomato_Firmware#Supported_devices).

heck yeah, I'm going to try it. I get to play with paper and glue, I'm so there. :D

I just looked at the link and I'm like :spinning::3eyes:

[Storymama]

Hehe. I am allllll about uploading hackable firmware to household appliances. How else will I turn them into my robot army of minions? Hell, I've already got a coffeepot that just *knows* when I'll be getting up, and has my coffee ready for me :p. Now, to get the tub to draw my bath . . .

[hamamelis]

Hehe. I am allllll about uploading hackable firmware to household appliances. How else will I turn them into my robot army of minions? Hell, I've already got a coffeepot that just *knows* when I'll be getting up, and has my coffee ready for me :p. Now, to get the tub to draw my bath . . .

Hey, speaking of that coffeepot, which capresso model is it? I'm looking at the Technivorm, Zojirushis and maybe a vintage vacuum pot on ebay though and a thermal carafe to put it in. Those vacpots are so fun to watch, and they make great coffee. And it would likely be the cheapest way to go, LOL.

The foil has been glued to the paper. When it's dry I'll cut and try out the antenna. DH was cracking up at me, but I'm confident it's going to work. What do I have to lose besides about 3 minutes of time and one and a half cents? :p

[Storymama]

The 454 CoffeeTeam S

From Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Capresso-CoffeeTEAM-S-Coffee-Grinder-Combination/dp/B000ELFZNM/)

[hamamelis]

Didn't work for me, made it worse, actually. Perhaps I needed to play around with it more but didn't seem worth it. Hey, I tried. :D

[Storymama]

Aw, nuts. I think in the end, you may find that it's worth moving it closer to the weaker wi-fi device (the laptop) and letting the desktop's relatively stronger device do the cross-wall pickup.

Wanna see a picture of my Router in a Basket?

[hamamelis]

Aw, nuts. I think in the end, you may find that it's worth moving it closer to the weaker wi-fi device (the laptop) and letting the desktop's relatively stronger device do the cross-wall pickup.

Wanna see a picture of my Router in a Basket?

The desktop doesn't have one AFAIK.(It's an older one that I upgraded as needed) I;d have to get one of the plug in ones, right?

And yes, show me a pic!

[Storymama]

It'd probably be worth buying a wifi card (I linked to some above) for the desktop though, if you could boost the signal to your laptop by moving the router.

Here is what the basket looks like on my TV holder thingy:

http://www.blondbrain.com/share/Basket_armoire.jpg

A closeup of the front - you can see the blinky lights if you look closely!

http://www.blondbrain.com/share/Basket_lights.jpg

Top view - that's my cable modem and router both. I climbed on a chair for you, L :loveit:.

http://www.blondbrain.com/share/Basket_topview.jpg

This is how I altered the back to make room for the cable feed and power cables:

http://www.blondbrain.com/share/Basket_rearview.jpg