Two computers, one with strong wireless signal other weak

Bladelore · Mar 22, 2013

Hi guys,

My PC is significantly newer than my laptop and I have them pretty much right next to each other. However, it seems my PC can't pick up wireless signals as well as the laptop.

I'm on 1-2 bars for my PC and it cuts off frequently whereas my laptop has a strong 4 bar signal and can detect the neighbours' wireless too.

I've been googling fixes and have tried a lot of the standard procedures to fixing wireless to no avail. The bigger question is still - why does my laptop have such a strong signal when it's right next to my PC?

Any and all help appreciated.

mcnumpty23 · Mar 22, 2013

wheres the pc wireless adapter?

if its at the rear of the case then the case may be blocking the signal

Feldmarschall · Mar 22, 2013

If you have PCI wlan card in your pc then it may be broken or it's blocked too much as mcnumpty23 said. If it's integrated on mobo then certainly you won't get signal like on notebook. Also right next to wall wlan signal will be much weaker. Consider buying 5 dbi omni antenna for your PCI (if it's PCI) card. It will come with cord so you can put it on top of PC case. If it's USB adapter use USB cable extender to extend it somewhere more adeqate.

Bladelore · Mar 26, 2013

Feldmarschall :

Thanks for the quick responses guys. I've lost my motivation with this and am waiting for the weekend so I can have some more time to fiddle with it.

It was at the rear but I long since moved the PC out away from the wall. That's not the problem.

I don't think the PCI wlan is broken. I bought a brand new one to test and it's just as bad as my old one.

The antenna sounds interesting but I'm skeptical if it'll work. Right now I'm thinking of using another modem to help relay the signal (since i have two modems). Will try that during the weekend - though that still doesn't answer why my laptop has absolutely no trouble picking up signals.

mcnumpty23 · Mar 26, 2013

a high gain antenna can make a huge difference

i am in a Victorian building with really thick brick walls

my laptop struggles to get more than 3 bars and can only pick up 7 networks

using a pci network adaptor is even worse as the metal of the case blocks my signal

my home made antenna can get 5 bars and picks up a huge amount of networks

cant even fit the whole image on the picture

total networks at bottom is 68

when my internet goes down i can connect to the bt openzone in the hotel 200 yards away which isnt even in

plain light of sight

Feldmarschall · Mar 26, 2013

Simply plug in 5dBi to your PCI card on PC and you will have no further problems picking signal.

ktriebol · Mar 26, 2013

OK Mcnumpty, how about some details about your homemade antenna.

mcnumpty23 · Mar 26, 2013

ktriebol :

biquad antenna

http://martybugs.net/wireless/biquad/

or even double biquad antenna

http://martybugs.net/wireless/biquad/double.cgi

have actually seen people on boats or in remote areas mount these on satellite dishes to get huge range

obviously the more buildings in the way the shorter the range

this antenna is probably overkill for most people

but its cheap and simple to make so i thought why not

and also lets me share my 65MBs connection to a friend in the next street by giving them one to connect to my

wifi

pobably can buy these pre-made for you on ebay if in the usa not so sure if they are available on ebay uk

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Two computers, one with strong wireless signal other weak

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