Old laptop WiFi issues

[sx_turbo]

Hi,

I have an old laptop, circa 10 years old, it's still fine for surfing the net and Microsoft office applications, and the wife likes to use it, I've a recently built desktop which I tend to use.

Since going to full fibre broadband and the new router is a Linksys velop spnmx55, the laptop no longer sees the WiFi signal.

I've split the signal so there is a 2.4g and a 5g circuit, the laptop can usually only see 2.4g, I've a Honeywell smart heating system that also needs the 2.4g signal and that picks it up no problem.

The laptop has a realtek RTL8723AE 802.11n chip in it, it seems to pickup my neighbours WiFi signals.

Is the laptop just old and crap and can't communicate with the router?

Should I get a usb WiFi dongle for it?

 

[Armageus]

You can either get a USB dongle, or depending on the age/design of the laptop, may be able to replace the internal Wifi card with a newer model (e.g. one that supports at least 802.11ac)

 

[thrifty]

i would try a usb dongle they are cheap enough.

 

[sx_turbo]

Ok thanks , so it's just a fact the card is too old for the later router.

Other than usb ports the laptop has no other means of upgrading,

 

[Minstadave]

Hi,

I have an old laptop, circa 10 years old, it's still fine for surfing the net and Microsoft office applications, and the wife likes to use it, I've a recently built desktop which I tend to use.

Since going to full fibre broadband and the new router is a Linksys velop spnmx55, the laptop no longer sees the WiFi signal.

I've split the signal so there is a 2.4g and a 5g circuit, the laptop can usually only see 2.4g, I've a Honeywell smart heating system that also needs the 2.4g signal and that picks it up no problem.

The laptop has a realtek RTL8723AE 802.11n chip in it, it seems to pickup my neighbours WiFi signals.

Is the laptop just old and crap and can't communicate with the router?

Should I get a usb WiFi dongle for it?

The wifi module might be replaceable. What laptop is it?

 

[sx_turbo]

The wifi module might be replaceable. What laptop is it?

Clevo Zoostorm w251eu it's the i5 - 16gb ram model

 

[Ad_Augendae]

If the Bios will stand for it... MPE-AX3000H

 

[sx_turbo]

If the Bios will stand for it... MPE-AX3000H

Excellent,

Sorry for all the questions, what do I need to check in the bios, it's got the non Uefi type bios, it's a 3rd gen core i5

 

[Ad_Augendae]

Excellent,

Sorry for all the questions, what do I need to check in the bios, it's got the non Uefi type bios, it's a 3rd gen core i5

As people already said get a dongle if you don't want to take the risk, or just take a punt on the internal MPE-AX3000H.

 

[Ad_Augendae]

You also have to consider that you may break one of the antenna connectors by changing the internal card if not careful!

 

[sx_turbo]

Edit: didn't realise how small the usb ones are these days, got a to link ac600 from Amazon, see how get on with that.

 

[Ad_Augendae]

I've had good luck in the past with all my wifi upgrade adventures on old laptops!

 

[sx_turbo]

Bought the USB dongle, sort of works, the 2.4g is stupidly slow, and it won't connect to the 5g, having Googled seems the tp link nano ac600 I bought everyone has the same complaints over.

So I'll send this one back and try for something else

 

[Armageus]

Most usb WiFi dongles are rubbish - the majority use realtek chips that tend to be terrible.

An upgrade Intel based internal WiFi card is the best way forward, but obviously requires some technical skill to take a laptop apart

 

[K.C. Leblanc]

Might be worth changing the the wireless channel on the router. There are 13 possible channels, but some kit only supports up to 11.

Another option is if you still have your old router, you might be able to set it up as an access point. And connect it to your new router.