Increasing the WLAN card's reception sensitivity a bit

[longtalker]

Hi everybody,

I have a very poor WiFi reception at my present location, and in order for Windows (XP) to stay connected to the WLAN, I have to use my laptop in awkward positions!

I already set the WLAN card's parameters available from Hardware Management that I thought might increase its reception sensitivity (Power Management, Roaming Aggressiveness, Throughput Enhancement, Transmit Power) to their maximum performance value, but even so, the difference between staying connected and getting disconnected is so small that if I move the laptop literally a few centimetres from its "preferred" spot, the connection is lost. I would therefore need a small extra boost in my network card's sensitivity - does anyone know how I might achieve this?

Many thanks in advance for any replies!

(I should add that I cannot in any way influence the positioning or any other settings relating to the router that supports this WLAN, so any tweaks would have to be performed locally, on my own WLAN card)

 

[George Monks]

Maybe move the router?

 

[johnb35]

You can try changing the wireless channel on the router? However, I have a feeling that either you are stealing someone else's wireless internet or you are not allowed to touch the router.

 

[longtalker]

Thanks both for your replies.

However, I have a feeling that either you are stealing someone else's wireless internet or you are not allowed to touch the router.

I, on the other hand, have the feeling that you haven't really read the initial post carefully enough, johnb35 . Here is the relevant section pasted below for your convenience:

Hi everybody,
(I should add that I cannot in any way influence the positioning or any other settings relating to the router that supports this WLAN, so any tweaks would have to be performed locally, on my own WLAN card)

If you must know, I do legally have the right to use that network, but I cannot actually change anything in the positioning or configuration of the router.

 

[linksys]

well since you dont have "access" to the router you have two options buy an external WIFI card for your laptop which i have found one

http://www.radiolabs.com/products/wireless/networking/long-range-notebook-wifi-kit.php

now you can use a usb wireless card (i dont like them) and a usb "extension" cord and place the usb card in the nearest window to the wifi source

or you can buy a wireless access point and use it in repeater mode

neither one is a guarantee

 

[longtalker]

THats' good stuff, thanks for the links!

 

[Geoff]

Asus makes a wireless repeater, however since it has to repeat everything performs suffers. Your best bet is to get an external wireless card.