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device manager? is that where I find my 'range'?

11 years ago

I want to use the netbook outside, but sometimes it is sooo slow- only 1 bar.

I want to try a 'range extender'. There is a TRLink 722N- 150 mbps. It is not expensive- about $30- it is like a dongle, with an antennae.

I know it does not 'add' to my range/speed, so I need to know what my HP Mini has in it now. The Mini is about 2.5 years old.

I think I look in comouter/device manager, but then I don't know what to look at.

Someone told me that HP Mini comes with a '450', so then it wouldn't even make sense to get one.

Thanks

Comments (7)

kudzu9
11 years ago
In my own experience, when I have had problems like this, it was usually not a function of some deficiency in my computer, it was a function of a problem with the signal being supplied by the router. Where is your router in relation to where you want to be with your computer? How old is your router? And what obstacles does the signal have to go through to get there? In the past, at my house, I found that I could have anything from a very strong signal to a terrible signal simply by moving just a couple of feet. When I bought a new router two years ago, the poor signal problem went away.
mikie_gw
11 years ago
If antenna's are detachable on the existing router.. perhaps a changing to a higher gain antenna, or directional antenna replacement would help. I've have had good luck with directional antenna's .

Even the quick rube goldberg home made simple reflectors over existing antenna work quite well for extending range here. I took some thin sheet aluminum, bent about half around some larger styrofoam cups, box taped it on...poked a hole up thru the bottom, mushed it over the antenna.. as an experiment... it worked amazingly well!
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fruitjarfla
11 years ago
mikie --- I thought it was two Progresso soup cans tied together with a long string. Kidding!
I have a strong signal within my house but I am going to try it at some distance with alum. foil over my Netgear wireless instrument if someone doesn't beat me to it.
ilmbg
Original Author
11 years ago
The router is new- about 6 months- Time Warner.
The set-up is upstairsin an interior room, so there are 3 walls/cement floor between me and the outside. Inside is fine- it is outside that I want to improve.

I would like to know how to find the 'range', or built-in antennae strength that is loaded into my computer, please, if anyone know where to look.
kudzu9
11 years ago
ilmbg-
Some antennas are better at getting signals than others, but you're asking about a spec that is not really going to help you. If you go into your Device Manager, you can click on Network adapters and find the properties of your wireless card, but you are not going to find an antenna strength or range. Frankly, with problems like this you can't just look at some specs and say: "This add-on device will fix things and this one won't." I've fiddled with range extenders and antenna locations in a number of situations and sometimes things worked and sometimes they didn't. You just have to buy something and try it; maybe order something from Amazon so you can ship it back if it doesn't work. Below is a link to an article about signal strength issues and some related links.

Here is a link that might be useful: Signal strength
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
11 years ago
Look into getting a wireless repeater to extend your signal.
This page has helpful info.

Here is a link that might be useful: Repeater
mikie_gw
11 years ago
Here's a little review on a program that with your laptop walking around. you get some signal strength ideas.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.brighthub.com/computing/smb-security/articles/14508.aspx

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