P150EM - Intel Centrino N 2230 and wifi range

Already posted this in the Network forum, but since it's an issue coming from a Clevo and I'm out of solutions, I thought maybe some of you had faced the same problem

"Hi all!

You've been mighty useful when it came to helping me choose a new laptop, and now that it has arrived here's to hoping you can aid me in sorting out this issue too:
I just bought a Clevo P150M MOUNTAIN Portátil Studio3D 15 ivy - MOUNTAIN with intel centrino N2230 wifi adapter. I installed Windows 7 on it and everything's working EXCEPT the internet connection. I had already noticed something strange was going on since it only manages to detect one wifi network, when I know my house is surrounded by at least 7 at any given time. If I take my laptop around the house with me and sit right next to the router, then sure, it will connect just fine to my wifi network. However, when I return to my room with the laptop, it's as if is unable to pick up the signal and so fails to connect. The thing is, I have a 7-year old HP laptop in my room too which has no problems connecting to my wifi.

Anyone know any solution to this? Already tried uninstalling and re-installing drivers, bith from the Clevo DVD and the intel website, but in vain.
Thanks!"

 

Sounds like the antennae might have come loose or a defective card. Have you tried opening it up to see if those antennae cables are fully seated?

 

Hi!
Nope. I'm a bit scared of opening it up rather than have an official tech guy doing it for me: I bought the machine yesterday and prefer to try all possible software-drivers-whatever solutions before. However, tech support is not available until next week so, in the meantime, I'm trying to solve the issue by myself

 

I don't think you're going to get much of anywhere without opening it up. You can try increasing the signal power on the router but going too high up will cause the router to burn up. I hope it's an antennae problem as it's pretty simple to fix. If you feel adventurous, here is the service manual for the machine. LINK

 

These cards - especially the Intel ones - scarcely ever go bad, so it's more likely either a problem with the antennae as Derek suggested, or potentially software related. Since it's seeing your network and connecting when you're within close proximity, it's more likely an issue with the antennae.

You can try using this utility, check everything when you run it, and hope for the best.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions!
Definitively the router is working as it should. It's something to do with the laptop. I'll keep you updated on how it finally works out!

 

Turns out the problem was a bad wifi card. Got it replaced and it's working now Thanks for the input!