wireless adpter to reach upstairs desktop?

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Sharon Lawson Watson

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May 6, 2013
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I want to move my son's desktop upstairs to his room, but the wireless router is in the living room. The internet provider wants a fortune to move it. What adapter do I need? He likes to game.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Does his desktop have a WiFi adapter? If not, get a USB Wifi dongle.

Such as this one: http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F7D2102-Micro-Wireless-Adapter/dp/B004N625B4/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1367856103&sr=8-10&keywords=usb+wifi+adapter
31z7vwDYc8L._SX38_SY50_CR,0,0,38,50_.jpg
 
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Sharon Lawson Watson

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May 6, 2013
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Oh I wish I could speak technoslavakian! These are both really affordable & look completely different :~O @ Ret, I thought a WiFi adapter was what I needed? I have used one like this before & it was fine, but there are only 5,000 of them to chose from, so I am lost. Also, the computer was a lot closer to the router. I have a Cisco1162. That ad hoc & stuff sounds like something I wouldn't want to pick up without a glove...I really don't know what all that means. The wireless router is one floor down, three rooms over, very large house. Probably 15 inch thick floors? If that matters. @ Smorizio..the one I pulled up with your link does say 1000, or am I looking at the wrong set of numbers? It seems to specifically address range, is it a better option because it has external antennas? I only want to buy this once, even though they are both really much cheaper than what I was looking at in Radio Shack (but I never buy there, I just look there) Which one will do it for him? I am standing here with 100 ft of ethernet in hand 'casue I gotta get him OUT of the living room!
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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@Sharon
Either of those may work. The one linked from smorizio probably has a greater receviing range.

But also, the orientation of the router antenna can make a difference.
Generally, the antenna radiates in a donut shape.
Vertical antenna = a donut laying flat. More range side to side.
Horizontal antenna = a donut standing on edge. More range upstairs.

Experiment and see what happens.
 
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Sharon Lawson Watson

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May 6, 2013
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OK, I'm proably going to be annoying, but I'm still a bit baffled.. I'm still not sure about the WiFi adapter question...his desk top does not have wireless capability unless I plug something into it, which was one of those USB dongles in the past. It doesn't pick up the signal upstairs, though. That's why I thought a network adapter was what I needed. What is the difference between a WiFi adapter & a network adapter? There is even a 2000mw Etekcity one on Amazon, but that doesn't mean anything if it has to have another part to make it work, I'm guessing. I really want to give him everything he needs to STAY PUT upstairs so I can reclaim the living room. . Can you just recommend one & I'll order it? I realize that may not be allowed, but I really am not sure. When I look on the Amazon site, it shows the unit, together with http:// and http://www.amazon.com/Signal-Wireless-Adaptor-Antenna-150Mbps/dp/B007M7RP6Q/ref=pd_bxgy_pc_text_z. do I need all those things?
PS Thank you for your service with the AF
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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The USB WiFi dongle on the desktop talks to the router downstairs.

Your issue seems to be too far away, or there is too much stuff in the way (house construction, microwave, other electronics), or something else.

If it's just one floor in the house, it should work. As suggested, experiment with the orientation of the antenna on the router.
And of course, ensure the router wifi is actually on and broadcasting. Do you have a laptop you could test with?
Turn the laptop on, connect to the router, and walk upstairs, monitoring the connectivity as you go.


(and you're welcome)
 
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Sharon Lawson Watson

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May 6, 2013
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I am on my laptop upstairs, but Im the other direction from where his desk top will be. I see what yu are talking about now though, so I'm wondering if the USB dongle is just too weak (I don't even have it anymore since it didn't work,), & I'm going to take a wild guess that a 300m is stronger than a 150? Or is that 2 different issues? What I'm pretty sure I need is fast & range so he can game on it. I hate it when he uses my laptops for that.
I'm starting to get it, I think, just want to buy the right one this time!
Here's a question that probably doesn't go in this forum, but maybe you can tell me where to address it...
My Windows 8 (hate it) laptop has somehow changed administrator password. I have no clue how or who or when or what, but I can't access a LOT of stuff now & have months of research in case law on it I can't get now. Where would I address this?
 
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Sharon Lawson Watson

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May 6, 2013
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Thank you very much! I knew it had to be on something..I always had my other son to do all this but he's no longer close. I am realizing the error of my ways leaving things like this to other people, because I am pretty darn lost! If anything can go wrong with an electronic, it'll do it in my hands shortly. I think there's something to that old addage that some people have a body chemistry that affects electronics..I can't wear electric watches either. I think I'm going to try the adapter you suggested, but one more question to be sure...
Is there a "better" one than another? I saw a 2,000mw, but still don't quite know what that means, I'm just going by the "more is better" logic. It was around the same price range..also, it shows them with add on purchases of a cable & additional antenna..more confusion. What exactly do I want to order all together?
Thanx :D
 
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