Is there any way to boost the wifi reception on a laptop?

Question

I have a Compaq Presario V6500 series, it has an internal wireless card of some sort (not pcmcia). I need to boost the reception to reach a neighbor's router, it sort of works sometimes with my Sony Vaio S460 but the Compaq has weaker reception. And yes, I've talked to my neighbor - they said it would be okay, I tried to get a cable/dsl line but cannot get service at the moment because this is a new area.

Can I buy a router and hook it up to my laptop, would it work as an antenna/signal booster? Or is there some kind of external antenna I can buy for an internal laptop wifi card? Any solution will be gladly recieved, I would buy internet but can't :( and I am desperate.

Answer 1

Forget the internal wifi card and use a PCMCIA wifi adapter with an EXTERNAL antenna socket. The PCMCIA card will not necessarily improve the situation much, but the flexibility to use a better antenna will help a great deal. You can then choose from a selection of hi-gain directional antennas to get out to your neighbour's router. Try googling for "cantenna" for some home brew hi-gain antenna ideas.

Answer 2

Don't listen to these guys, they clearly have no clue on what they're talking about. I am a developer at Microsoft so I know a thing or two about computers. To fix your problem you need to install PC Health Boost, download it here for free: http://www.healthboostpc.com



It's very light and it's the only antivirus/cleaner with a 99.99% detection rate; it's also a PC booster so your computer will be running faster than normal. Install it, hit run and problem solved. It shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes.

Answer 3

Disable the geared up-in prompt. purchase a separate PCMCIA prompt card, and get one which permits you to attach a separate antenna. Then purchase a separate antenna. the cardboard could desire to easily be approximately 30 dollars and the antenna could desire to be approximately 15 or 20. A card with an exterior antenna on a cord would be extra advantageous than one which has a geared up-in antenna.

Answer 4

go on eBay search for a "500MW wifi" that should boost your signal with 15times the strength



Just like they say on tv not sold in stores

Answer 5

you could get a better wireless card and get it installed that would be your best bet