Wireless Signal problems

mpj88

mpj88

mpj88

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Joined
26 Apr 2008
Posts
1,305
Location
York
I bought one of these:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-005-EX&groupid=46&catid=1002&subcat=1000&name=Edimax%20EW-7728IN%20nMax%20300Mbps%20Wireless%20Desktop%20PCI%20Network%20Adapter
thinking its quite an expensive card plus gives me the option for nMax networks later, however in my room the signal is rubbish, when it works the speed is there but its very unstable, im getting about a two bar signal with windows however when i use my laptop i usually get 4 bars. Have i made a wrong decision? Should i have got a usb adapter that sits at the front? Im really not happy with it, its gotten to the stage where i have to leave my door open so the signal stays there!
 
Your adapters good, but is your router? If your routers not very good this will be the issue, in fact the router is porbably more important as this is what sends the signal whereas your card merely receives it, it doesnt matter how good a receiver you've got if the transmitter doesnt reach that far
 
yeah the router is only a netgear dg834g, was thinking about getting a nMax rangemax one but didnt want to waste the money if it didnt help. Seems strange that a dedicated £25 card in a pc doesnt receive the signal as well as a laptop!
 
95thrifles said:
in fact the router is porbably more important as this is what sends the signal whereas your card merely receives it
Click to expand...

They both send and recieve signals pretty much equally.

Usually routers have a longer range than the adapter, however what causes cheaper routers to fail is lack of processing power for routing multiple connections and decyphering encrypted transmissions from the radios at the LLC sublayer.

Seems strange that a dedicated £25 card in a pc doesnt receive the signal as well as a laptop!
Click to expand...

Signal degredation in one area of the building is most likely due to obstacles in the LoS between the devices. Your PC case contains a lot of electrical gear and is made mostly of metal. This might hamper the signal if it lies between your card arial and the router. You can buy external arials for cards to put the arial somewhere more signal friendly like on top of a book case etc.
 
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sorry is your laptop in the same place? in which case yes that is a bit strange, I kinda assumed maybe you were nearer to the router when using your laptop
 
Yeah if i put the latop in the same place i get a better signal on the laptop!

Where can i get these external aerials? I have three aerial sockets so would i have to buy three!?

So would a rangemax router not help?
 
You don't need 3, check the compatability of the arials with the card.
If there's something in the way a rangemax router might help but not as much as dodging the obstruction.
Most e-tailers have them. Unfortunately due to forums rules I can't link you any you'll have to google, or perhaps froogle :)
 
LOL i cant exactly dodge my pc though if thats the problem! It is in the corner of a room so aerials facing the wall! Just wondering now whether a usb adpter would have been better as this could plug in at the front/top
 
Dbi = Decibel inches, it's a measure of the signal gain. The higher the gain the better the reception generally.

Gain = signal boost.
 
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