http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22624976 en Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:20:33 EDT Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:20:33 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22631468 anon : The acer has less than one bar..... 'very low signal']]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22631468 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:47:28 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22631237 stevech0 : Is the issue that the Acer shows a too-weak signal? Weak means one bar or 30% or less.

If so, let's try to improve that, before leaping into WDS.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22631237 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:50:39 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22630412 anon : The laptop is an acer....2e68c49b20.
I'm running a wireless signal from my Belkin F5D8233, I also have a WRT54G v5 that I don't have connected, but was hoping to use to extend the signal.
I am running an HP Pavillion laptop with a great signal, but beside me I have an HP Compaq SFF with a wireless card that sometimes gets a signal...not usually.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22630412 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:19:01 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22628991 stevech0 :
First, you may not need WDS/repeater. Perhaps we can help you correct the weak signal problem by improving the laptop/PC in the weak signal area. This is best/easiest.

DD-WRT (3rd party firmware) - Don't use it unless you MUST. It's a PITA for the non-geek.

what w-router do you have now and is it WDS-capable without DD-WRT? This is best.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22628991 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:59:04 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22628397 anon : Hmmm, interesting. I was hoping that there was some way to do this with the routers that I have. Would it work with the micro version of the wrt54g, along with another newer one of a same model, but different version?(i know they sell the wrt54g's at walmart, but they have no external antennas)
Thanks!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22628397 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:14:13 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22628235 Anav : The WRT54G may be able to act in a WDS capacity with third party firmware. A stock unit that can do this is the zyxel P330W, cheap but effective usually avail at buy.com, provantage.com etc......]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22628235 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:38:50 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22626090 stevech0 :
Then what you want is a "repeater". Called Wireless Distribution System (WDS). Also marketed as WiFi range extenders.

Lots written about WDS here. The key points are:
1. The w-router must support WDS. Many/most don't.
2. The device (w-router) configured as a WDS repeater must be compatible with the WDS-capable w-router. Often, this means the two must be of like kind and vintage/make/model, since WDS is not part of the IEEE 802.11 standard upon which WiFi is based.

Before resorting to WDS, tell us about your laptop/PC in the weak signal area. Maybe we can improve that signal with some simple changes.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22626090 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:46:36 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22625208 anon : Ok, I get that...but what I am trying to do is not have any wires.... is this even possible? I think what I'm trying to do is bridge, or extend my network. But was told I need to make it an access point to do so.
Where i get my signal and have my wireless router is impossible to run wire from there.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22625208 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:19:45 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22625172 No_Strings : Here's the FAQ stevech0 was referencing:
»Wireless Networking Forum FAQ »Using a Wireless Router as an Access Point]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22625172 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:10:23 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22625167 stevech0 : There's a FAQ here on making a generic router look like an access point (AP). Essentially...

Connect it to LAN or PC so you can access its admin/setup web pages. You may need to temporarily set your PC to a static IP.

Configure the to-be-AP...
Disable DHCP service
Configure same SSID as your router.
Same encryption mode/key
choose same or different WiFi channel as your w-router. Should be different, among ch. 1, 6, 11 if you have heavy traffic.

Give AP a LAN address for admin purposes: an IP address never used by the DHCP on your w-router.

Disconnect PC.
Connect long cat5 cable from a LAN port of the AP to your w-router. Leave WAN port open.

Place AP nearer weak signal area.

Reboot it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22625167 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:08:02 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22625117 anon : The wrt54g isn't hooked up.... is it possible for these two routers to work together, or is there another method that I've overlooked?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22625117 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:54:43 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22624976 anon : I've looked for a solution here, but haven't had any luck.
I'm not a networking person by any means, and am having trouble with my wireless network.
I have the modem(Rogers Portable) plugged into my Belkin F5D8233, no computer wired to it.
I get a good signal to one of my computers, but it doesn't quite cut it for the other.
I've been trying to turn the router into an access point, but it broadcasts the signal....but local only. I usually have to hold the reset button to connect to it again. Sometimes after turning it into an access point, I can access it, but others i have to reset to factory.
I have a wrt54g v5 as well(with micro on it) was hoping I could use that as a wireless access point, as I cannot run any wiring.
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,22624976 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:22:58 EDT