please help me extend wifi access on my computer

jolo100 · Jan 20, 2014

Thank you for sharing your time & expertise in advance.

* I need to find a way to extend the range of my laptop wireless adapter to reach nearby free & open WiFi hotspot.

* There is no home network involved with this, nor is a router used in my small apartment.

* I am assuming that I might need.
- New USB wireless adapter that has more range as well as updated network protocols than my current one has.
- Possibly an external "extender" ?
- Possibly a router that has a expansive range ?

Can someone please recommend some possible solutions/hardware/software that might help.

Thank you.

JT

MagicPants · Jan 20, 2014

Wifi is a 2 way street. Extending your range to reach a network won't help if the network you want to use can't reach you. Can you see the network at all from anywhere in your apartment? If the answer is no, you're probably out of luck.

If you can, you'll need to experiment with different wifi adapters, but a wifi-extender won't help you. If you happen to have access the hotspot's hardware (say it belongs to a friend) then yeah, there is a lot you can do.

jolo100 · Jan 20, 2014

Thank you magicpants.

Aren't there wifi network adapters that are better than others?

MagicPants · Jan 20, 2014

I'd try a usb adapter (one that attaches via a cable), with an antenna on it.

something like these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0XM-0004-00004
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA3NY18R3592

I just wouldn't order it from a place I can't return it.

jolo100 · Jan 20, 2014

MagicPants :

Thank you for your response!!

■ This might be a winner. Except for this recommendation, everything I've seen works on Router end, not the laptop end. I want to stretch what my laptop can find.
■ There are hotspots right near me, but I can't get to them currently. My internal wifi adapter doesn't seem to cut it.
■ If anyone has knowledge, especially 1st hand experience with expanding the range of their computer to get access to nearby hot spots, please let me know.
■ Excellent point about getting something that can be returned easiy.

Thanks again for sharing your time and expertise.

Jon T

Search

please help me extend wifi access on my computer

jolo100

Honorable

MagicPants

MagicPants

Distinguished

jolo100

Honorable

MagicPants

Distinguished

jolo100

Honorable

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page