Need help improving my wireless connection

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Lugash

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Mar 23, 2015
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4,510
Hi, I need your help in improving my wireless connection of my desktop PC. I cannot use an ehternet connection on it because the router is too far.

ISP: Arnet (Argentina) 10Mbps
Router: ZyXEL 660HW-T1 V3 802.11g
Wireless adapter: TP-Link TL-WN751ND 802.11b/g/n PCI Wi-Fi Adapter

Motherboard: Asus M5a97 R2.0 Chipset 970 Am3+ Usb3 Sata3
Power Supply: Thermaltake TR-700P
Operating System: Windows 8.1 64Bits

We have 2 desktop PCs, 2 laptops and 4 smartphones connected to the LAN




The problem is.. the router and my PC are separated about 10 m(32ft), with two walls between them. Moving the router to another location is not an option. I made a little sketch:
PkbYCdim.png

Besides, the PCI WiFi adapter anthena ended up in a pretty unconvinient location, between the case and a brick wall, close to the floor:
KlCvXF5m.jpg


I'm getting an avarage signal of 30~40%.

How do I increase the wifi signal? I'm thinking of replacing the router for a dual band 802.11b/g/n router (TL-WDR4300) and buying a USB wireless adapter so I can put it in the front of the case and get a better signal. Is that the way to go?

Thanks!


 
Solution
B
Mimo won't help ...doesn't matter unless you replace the router since 802.11g does not support mimo. Still it makes little difference the metal case will just block 2 or 3 wireless signals rather than 1.

A USB adapter that comes on a USB extension cable placed on top of the desk will likely be your best bet. They make antenna extension cable for the PCI card but it is likely cheaper to buy a whole USB adapter.

Maybe I am just different than most. If the computer works the best on top of the table facing backwards that is where I would put it no matter how bad it looked.
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Lugash

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Mar 23, 2015
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4,510


I've read the 5Ghz band has a limited reach, but I don't know how much exactly. Is the PC out of range?
 
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bill001g

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Aug 9, 2012
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I would try to turn the case around just to test and see how much improvement you get. This is the problem with PCI cards especially when people do what you do and stuff it under a desk against a wall. The case will block huge amounts of your signal.

How far the signal goes is almost impossible to predict. If you had a huge open room you can likely go 200-300ft and get close to the maximum rates. It only takes a window with some brands of solar film and it will almost completely block the signal. So there is no way to even predict how much a wall will eat.

5g generally is blocked easier than 2.4g. This is sometimes advantage if you have lots of neighbors around in that their 5g signals have more difficulty getting into your house than 2.4g and interfering with your signals.

802.11g goes about the same distance as 802.11n but you get more speed at a certain signal level so some people incorrectly try to claim a increase of speed is a increase of distance. Still since you can get a 802.11n router fairly inexpensively it may be worth it to get even a small increase in speed.
 
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Lugash

Reputable
Mar 23, 2015
11
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4,510


Well, I've turned it around and the avarage signal was 85%, so that's clearly one of the major problems. Now, how do I fix it? I can't change the location of the PC but maybe a USB adapter in the front would help? Or a better PCI with MIMO...

Thanks for your help!
 
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B

bill001g

Titan
Aug 9, 2012
28,283
2,743
125,640
Mimo won't help ...doesn't matter unless you replace the router since 802.11g does not support mimo. Still it makes little difference the metal case will just block 2 or 3 wireless signals rather than 1.

A USB adapter that comes on a USB extension cable placed on top of the desk will likely be your best bet. They make antenna extension cable for the PCI card but it is likely cheaper to buy a whole USB adapter.

Maybe I am just different than most. If the computer works the best on top of the table facing backwards that is where I would put it no matter how bad it looked.
 
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Solution
L

Lugash

Reputable
Mar 23, 2015
11
0
4,510


Thanks a lot, you've been a great help

 
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