Extending Wireless Range

Hi
I have a asus w3n notebook. Im wondering if its possible to extend the wireless range. I dont see anywhere that i can connect an external anntenna to. Is there anything i can do to get a better signal?

 

Put better antennas on your wireless router/AP? Modern notebooks tend to have fairly decent antennas mounted behind their screens but the antennas bundled with the average router tend to be weak. No need to go overboard, a 7 or 9dBi "rubber duck" type antenna should make a noticeable difference.

 

I have the Intel 3945AGB card, but most of these instructions should be the same for all cards:

Go to Start->Right Click My Computer->Properties->Hardware->Device Manager.

This pulls up the Device Manager Window. From there, expand the Network Adapters section and right click on (in my case) Intel Pro/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection. Select Properties. Now another window pops up.

Select the Advanced Tab, go to the Property pull down menu (middle on the left) and select "Power Management." Now a slider to the immediate right will become enabled. Un-check "Use default value" and slide that bar all the way over to "Highest" on the value slider. Hit OK on all windows to close them out.

You have just set up the notebook to send the maximum amount of allowed power to the internal notebook card.

I've done that, and was able to receive WiFi signals in the basements of buildings were other people could not get a signal. The results for you may differ, but that would be the first step in increasing your reception.

 

Just remember, if you are concerned with batt life, to reduce the consumption when unplugged.

 

That is the best thing Ive ever read. I was about to buy an atheros wifi card and you almost doubled my range.

 

Double? That's good! Congrats!

 

My thoughts exactly!!! How is this not more well known... or am I just in the dark all by myself, lol

 

Wow nice tip

I was thinking about an article I read once BLue Peter stylee

 

Well my performance is hard to gauge.

Definitely out of nowhere other wifi providers apeared.

However with the single strong one it didnt seem to pick it up any stronger at all. However from a larger distance it picked it up still.

Whats really going on Im not exactly sure.

Even in a worst case scenario its still very useful this change. I think what this does is allow a connection that the other setting might think of as staticky to still be picked up.

edit

the single strong signal is picked up better, a little better. No way to test it for me but, one bar lets call it 10-20% stronger signal from the same place.

This modification works.

 

You can use NetStumbler to objectively compare the signals. Try things like the signal to noise ratio.

~ Brett

 

Ive tried adjusting the power saving slider, but im still getting the same results. no doubling performance here
There is also something strange ive noticed. I would often connect with excellent signal, but after a few minutes it would drop to only fair. Any idea why?

Can some one confirm that the wireless antenna is connected to the lid of the laptop? if so technically i can connect an external antenna to it.

thanks everyone!

 

You have a different wireless card than night 2004 and I have.

Changing this setting made my computer notice a lot more wireless networks, including things like neighboring businesses and the single computers here in the coffee shop i frequent.

 

I guess that why I noticed that Vista had better signal reception than XP because that option is not available in the OEM Vista drivers. I guess that I will now go and test to see if XP has the same reception with this trick,

 

Try the netstumbler program that was mentioned earlier in the thread. http://www.netstumbler.com

It'll help you diagnose if there's lots of RF noise where you are. Maybe all you need to do is select another channel in your router. Just recently someone in my neighbourhood setup another wireless network, and I was getting occasional disconnects. Changed from the default channel in the router's settings and things have been perfect ever since.

 

Wow I just want to boot this up again.

My wireless range is greatly increased Im not positive how much.

In the 100 yard range Im at excellent instead of very good. This setting really works. Seeing as most new notebooks use this card I think you should try it out.

 

You can also set up an access point to increase your range.

 

hm.. i dont quite understand. i have an internal wifi chip. intel 2200BG to be exact. how do i set up an access point with that? do u mean buying a wireless router, and use that to connect to the other access point?

 

Just wondering, does that Power Management thing reduce battery life? I would think not, but just to be sure.

EDIT: Sorry for the thread revival. Never noticed the last post

 

Upping the power output of any wireless card will reduce battery life.

oh! and I did notice the date - but wanted to post this anyway.

 

will it automaticaly be highest performance when plugged in if i set default and turn down when i am on batteries? ordo i have to uncheck it and set to highest myself?

 

I have seen wireless signal boosters at circuit city. I don't know exactly how they work. I imagine that you need to set the network settings on the device, then put it between your laptop and the wireless access point. I think these devices are $50-$75.