Is there a way to increase reception on a wireless internet card?

Question

I just installed a wireless internet card on one of my computers and the signal it gets from the internet router is weak. Is there a way to boost the recption of the card?

Answer 1

Some run-of-the-mill ways of doing it are:
Reduce interference between your wireless card, and your wireless router . . . that means placing your router someplace where there is no metal in the way.
Reduce the interference around your router . . . don't put it on top of your computer, metal desk, metal filing cabinet, on a tv, or on a monitor.
Not so practical, but you can amplify the signal by giving it an antenna . . . try putting a clean empty pringles can around it, or a toilet paper roll wrapped in aluminum foil.

The best way to practically do it is to change the channel on the router. To do this, you must log into the router and look for the channel setting. This is the equivalent of changing the channel on your cordless phone. I put some directions below.

Really, all these suggestions have to do with radio signals, which is how the wireless card communicates with the router. Anything that would block your FM radio and create interference will do the same for your wireless card. Something you might not be thinking of in your walls: wire mesh in plaster is a killer for wireless signals - this is usually in ceilings more than walls, though. Led based paint is also a killer (of more than just wireless signals, too!)

Directions for changing the channel on your router (assumes you're using Windows):
Start>Run
Type cmd
In the black box that appears, type ipconfig
Write down the IP address of the "Default Gateway"
Open Internet Explorer.
In the address bar, type that IP address you wrote down (do not add anything else, such as www or .com - just the number periods and all - http://123.4.5.6)
This will bring up the routers configuration page

You will have to know your login information. Your vendor can give this to you. Find the channel setting. Set it to anything . . . it doesn't matter what . . . and see if it improves wireless performance. Basically, you just want to find a channel that anything else that might be interfering with your signal is not using. If your neighbor has a wireless router broadcasting on channel 6, you might want to choose a channel far away from that one, like 11. Just keep trying different channels. Give it a day after each change to test performance.

Answer 2

Not really, you might want to replace the card with a better one, or get a better router if you are having the same problem with all of your machines.

If it is only in certain parts of your house (if your house is big or has thick walls) you can get a signal repeater that increases the range of the router.

Answer 3

yes if you are connecting to a wireless N router, otherwise it will make no difference. An NO G is NOT better than N, N is the newer technology.

Answer 4

Move the router to a location central to the building as high as possible.

Don't change the receiver, change the transmitter.