Glen T
join:2003-11-03
BC
| Boost power on Linksys router?
I ran into a problem with a Linksys BEFW11S4 wireless B router and a new Dell 1150 laptop with integrated wireless.
Previously, I had an old IBM ThinkPad running a PCMCIA Belkin wireless B adapter. The signal strength was only rated as fair to good, but it worked in the selected location.
However, since I bought the new Dell, the signal strength is low or very low. Most of the time, a connection cannot be maintained in the same location.
I tried a number of things, including two different replacement antennas for the router (directional and omni-directional). Neither helped.
I believe that the location is the problem. The router is located at one end of an 'L' shaped addition on the house, the laptop at the other end of the 'L'. The actual distance between the two can't be more than 50 feet. But the signal has to pass through two exterior walls and a couple of interior walls.
But more significantly, it passes through two steel barred doors, which probably does a lot to kill the signal.
The application is a one-room apartment within the house, so moving the laptop to another room is not an option. Although, I walked around the house to test, and the signal strength is good to excellent in all but the selected room.
My question is, would the Linksys power booster make a difference in this situation? Or would I just be wasting money trying this. Does anyone have any experience with the Linksys power booster?
Other suggestions? Thanks! |
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Anav
Sarcastic Llama? Naw, Just Acerbic
Premium
join:2001-07-16
Dartmouth, NS | Yes, don't waste your money. Move up to the linksyw wrt54GS and with third party firmwares can boost tx power.
Also consider a diff card in your newer laptop.
what is in the dell?? |
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Glen T
join:2003-11-03
BC | I believe that it is the Dell Wireless 1350 Internal Wireless Card. |
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Bill
Light Up The Halo
Premium,VIP
join:2001-12-09
clubs: | I'd try a different wireless card before getting one of the "Signal Boosters". |
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Glen T
join:2003-11-03
BC | I don't know if I can get access to the internal one to change it. But I have a WUSB11 that I could try. |
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Glen T
join:2003-11-03
BC | If I was to swap a Linksys WRT54G with the existing BEFW11S4, would that be likely to help? I don't think I want to mess around with non-OEM firmware, so would run Linksys stuff to keep it simple. |
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Bill
Light Up The Halo
Premium,VIP
join:2001-12-09
clubs:
| It might.
Did you try the extra WUSB11 you said you had? See if when you use that network card instead of the onboard, if it changes anything.
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Secure-Wifi.Net is now open for buisness in the LA/OC area.
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hhuck
I Don't know what to put here
Premium
join:2001-03-03
Windsor, NY | reply to Glen T
Any site links for 3rd party firmware would be nice. Thanks, Howie
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Howie, WinXP Pro SP2, Frontier ADSL |
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GeekNJ
Premium
join:2000-09-23
Waldwick, NJ
| reply to Glen T
I'd agree with the others that the WRT54G could be a good choice for you, but remember there's 2 components to a wireless connection... the access point and the wireless client. If you boost the power on the AP so you get a good signal, if your client (built in card in your case) doesn't have enough power to get back, you're not going to be happy.
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Tweaked your OOL connection? | Mail Parse | Speed Converter |
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Bill
Light Up The Halo
Premium,VIP
join:2001-12-09
clubs:
| reply to hhuck
»wrt54g.serwer.net
They have some third-party Sveasoft firmware for the WRT54G's,
But of course, use it at your own risk.
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Secure-Wifi.Net is now open for buisness in the LA/OC area.
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Glen T
join:2003-11-03
BC | reply to Bill
Haven't had a chance to try the WUSB11 yet. Hope to do that tomorrow. |
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Shootist
Premium
join:2003-02-10
Decatur, GA
| reply to Glen T
said by Glen T  :I don't know if I can get access to the internal one to change it. But I have a WUSB11 that I could try. The Dell TM 1350 is a MiniPCI card and can be easily changed. BUT you don't need to change that card. I use ALL Dell TM 1300 and 1350 cards, MiniPCI and PC slot type, and have a great connection to my WRT54G router from all over my house, I do use a 3rd party firmware on the router that you can boost the signal output with. You really need a NEW router and there is none better on the market today than the Linksys WRT54G or GS. Anav always suggests the GS type but I have been using the standard G type for over 1.5 years with a 3rd party FW and have never had a problem.
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Shooter Ready--Stand By BEEP ******** |
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Glen T
join:2003-11-03
BC
| Well, here's how it all played out. First I tried the Linksys WRT54G router in place of the older BEFW11S4. There was no change in signal strength with OEM firmware.
Then I disabled the Dell 1350 internal wireless card and installed an older Linksys WUSB11 external 802.11b adapter. Reported signal strength went from "Very low" to "Excellent" !! Absolutely no connection problems. Problem solved.
I have had good luck with the Linksys USB adapter in the past. It seems to have a much better antenna than the typical PC Card versions. It has even acquired better signal strength than the PCI versions on a desktop.
I would have liked to have used the internal card on this Dell Inspiron 1150. However, given that others report the Dell 1350 card as working OK, I have to assume that the 1150 has a crappy antenna in it.
I highly recommend Linksys USB adapters. I have only had problems under Windows 98 on an older computer, where the adapter would not power up properly once in a while, requireing a reboot to connect. |
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Bill
Light Up The Halo
Premium,VIP
join:2001-12-09
clubs: | Glad you figured out the problem!
I have a WUSB11 on my sisters computer and it works great! |
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